Editor Speaks: Which hatchback should I buy?

Ever since we started answering questions that go through our inbox, we’ve been getting a lot of queries about our opinion between two, three, or even more cars. We’re not kidding, there’s really a lot. If only time is a bit friendly to us, we’ll be glad to answer them all for you.

That’s why we’re pressed to answer first those that we find more compelling. Here’s one of the most interesting questions we’ve encountered so far:

"Good Day po AutoDeal. Just want to ask your opinion/help. I'm searching for a hatchback car, and I'm confused what brand/model should I purchase. Right now I'm considering with these brand/model: * Honda Jazz/Brio * Hyundai Accent dct a/t * Mazda 2. Any recommendations? Thanks."

Why is it interesting? Well, it just so happened that I’ve already reviewed all three cars, and the latest one, the Mazda 2 Premium Java, is currently on our hands for a full review, which will be up for posting this Friday. So, I’m in the position right now to give my opinion about all three. And oh, disregard the Honda Brio; it shouldn’t be part of the comparison in the first place.

To put depth into this comparison, let’s do the matchup by category. Why? We understand that each car has its own strength and weaknesses. It’s for you to weigh now as to which do you value the most. Also, check out this specs comparison between the three cars for your reference.

When it comes to design, I will need to disregard the Hyundai Accent Hatchback. It’s not hideous per se, but compared to the other two, it’s the most dated and definitely needs a revamp. This is just a tight battle between the Honda Jazz RS and Mazda2 Premium Java. Both are sleek, with the Jazz RS having a more sporty appeal, while the Mazda2 Premium Java is more on the sultry and sexy side, especially with its new color.

However, I am pressed to choose the Mazda2 Premium Java because of one reason: it looks really good at night with its LED lighting. It makes the car stand out among other vehicles on the road.

These three cars are almost on the same ground when it comes to how their suspensions are tuned – not too soft, not too firm. They're just right. For interior space, the Hyundai Accent Hatchback seems to be the runaway winner as it’s the biggest among the three in overall dimensions, with the Mazda2 Premium Java sitting at the bottom as the smallest.

However, after spending time with the cars, the Jazz RS felt the roomiest, brought about by its open-cabin feel and flexible seating configuration. It also has the biggest cargo space among the three, especially when all the seats are folded flat. Have you seen Caco’s video where he was able to fit an eight-foot surfboard inside the Jazz RS? Yes, that happened.

This one goes to the Mazda2 Premium Java because its interior has the least amount of plastics among the three. The majority of its cabin is clad with leather, such as the seats (mixed with suede), gear-shift knob, steering wheel, and door trims. There are brown leather accents as well, by the door and on the dashboard, which increase the premium feel inside the cabin.

Overall, the choice of materials and design execution inside the Mazda2 Premium Java are top-notch and unrivaled. The Honda Jazz RS comes in next as it’s more on the sporty side, and its seats are upholstered with cloth.

This is a tough one. It’s a close fight between the Jazz RS and Mazda2 Premium Java, with the Accent lagging behind because, again, I believe that it needs a serious update.

The Jazz RS and Mazda2 Premium Java are toe-to-toe when it comes to their high-tech and safety features. Both have keyless entry, push start button, automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system that is like clockwork, and navigational assistance. However, the Honda hatchback has cruise control, which is something that I regard as one of the most convenient features out there. On the other hand, the Mazda2 Premium Java has automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

It could have been a tie, but the Mazda2 Premium Java has something up its sleeve that the Jazz RS don’t – the Navi function that works passively. How? It automatically displays upcoming intersections at the top-most part of the floating head unit, and it can detect speed limits of most roads, which is then displayed on the head-up display (HUD). With these handy tech features, I’m giving this round to the Mazda2 Premium Java.

This one’s a bit easy, with the Accent Hatchback as the runaway winner. Aside from having the biggest engine output among the three, its 1.6L diesel power plant with variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) works like magic, making each drive fun and exhilarating. It isn’t as precise to handle as the Jazz RS, nor as maneuverable as the Mazda2, but on a straight-line drive, the Accent Hatchback is as perky as you would want it to be. Plus, its seven-speed dual clutch transmission is a snappy gearbox, which adds to the great driving behavior of the car.

It’s important to note that the Jazz RS isn’t far behind when it comes to performance, as its CVT is among the best transmissions I’ve ever tested in a mainstream vehicle. It just so happened that the Accent is outstanding in so many ways.

The Hyundai Accent Hatchback could have been the automatic winner in this round because it’s the only diesel among the bunch. However, the Mazda2 Premium Java registered a more impressive fuel efficiency when compared to the South Korean hatch. It read 23.6 km/L on the highway (90 km/h average) while driving in heavy city traffic clocked in 9.3 km/L. This is the best among these cars, with the Accent Hatchback’s 22.7 km/l and the Jazz RS’ 22.5 km/L, both are driven on the highway and in the same manner.

Let’s drop the numbers first: the Hyundai Accent Hatchback GL has a price tag of P975,000, while the Honda Jazz RS Navi is at P1,078,000. On the other hand, the priciest among the three is the Mazda2 Premium Java, which sells for P1,085,000, as of this writing.

Considering all you’ve read here, including the things you’ll get with each given price tag, I believe I’ve shared more than enough for you to make your own choice. Hope my insights will help you choose the nameplate that gives back your money’s worth.