2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive appearance that was unmistakably a Sonata. Its design was polarizing, with a broad grille and tapered tail that made it stand out. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the Sonata a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line offered sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, Dinamica suede inserts, and red stitching, creating a sporty yet refined interior ambiance.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 maintained its artistic design with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback style that some might describe as "hunchback." Despite its unconventional appearance, the Mazda3 exuded a mature and serious demeanor, devoid of flashy spoilers or body kits. The interior was designed with the driver in mind, featuring refined materials and a sophisticated layout with polished metallic finishes. The Mazda3's cabin was upscale and elegant, offering a snug fit for the driver and front passenger. However, the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers, and the cargo space, while adequate, was limited in shape and size.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a launch control system, delivering power to the front wheels. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and included an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's performance was further enhanced by stiffer engine and transmission mounts, faster steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. On the road, the Sonata N Line demonstrated impressive handling, with minimal understeer and excellent grip, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. Despite its sporty nature, the ride quality remained comfortable, and the car provided a quiet and secure driving experience. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded an average of 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, prioritizing fuel economy with an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined. The popular 2.5 S model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The 2.5 Turbo model, with a turbocharged engine, delivered 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular gas, or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on premium fuel, with standard all-wheel drive. The Mazda3's driving experience was characterized by smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving, and the ride could feel floaty on undulating roads. The Mazda3 averaged 23.1 mpg in real-world testing, slightly below its EPA rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance of comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front occupants. Rear-seat passengers had limited legroom and thigh support, but rear air conditioning vents and a USB port were available. The Sonata's interior materials were of higher quality than the Elantra N Line, though hard plastic seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle required manual closing.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's interior was designed with the driver in mind, featuring an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats in most versions. The snug fit and excellent thigh and side bolster support provided a comfortable driving experience. However, the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers, lacking rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the shape and size of the space limited its practicality.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob were drawbacks. The system's voice recognition technology was not always reliable, and the placement of the volume control knob could inadvertently activate touch functions. The Sonata N Line also offered Hyundai Digital Key, allowing Android users to unlock and start the car with their smartphone.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display integrated into the dashboard. The system relied on a collection of controls on the center console, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. Mazda's approach aimed to reduce driver distraction, though the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided alternative options for infotainment control. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, with a complimentary three-year subscription. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available on higher trims. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, enhancing driver awareness.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata's ADAS performed smoothly and accurately, instilling confidence in the driver. While the N Line had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, the standard Sonata received high marks for occupant protection.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Mazda3's driver-assist features performed reliably, with smooth responses and minimal false alarms. The car received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, making it one of the safest compact cars available.