2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

In the early years of the Sonata's existence, it was evident that Hyundai was doing its best to mimic the leaders in the midsize car segment, in particular the Honda Accord. Indeed, the two cars looked so much alike, right down to the capital "H" badge on the hood and trunk, that they could easily be mistaken for one another. As a result, one could argue that the Sonata lacked originality. Quality was a sore spot, as well.

But, as the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. By wisely benchmarking the Accord, Hyundai learned valuable lessons and applied them to its midsize sedan, improving it along the way while undercutting the competition on price and slowly, steadily improving quality. With each passing generation, Hyundai has given the Sonata a little more flair—and a little more personality—giving the car a look all its own, further differentiating it from the Accord and the rest of the competition.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, offering a range of models from the affordable Mazda3 2.0 to the speedy Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety, with five trim levels and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim, equipped with extra-cost Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, carried a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $35,810, including the destination charge.

The Mazda3’s appearance wasn’t universally appealing, with deeply sculpted flanks that could cast odd reflections and a hatchback that some might call a “hunchback.” However, there was a certain artistry to the car that was easy to appreciate. The interior was refined, with sophisticated design and polished metallic finishes, presenting an upscale, almost elegant place from which to conduct the business of driving. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was all about stealth, lacking a big and showy rear spoiler or an obnoxious body kit, making it look like a mature, serious automobile.

When it came to performance, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a split personality. The base engine, a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 180 hp and 195 lb-ft was available on the SEL Plus and Limited trims. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, however, featured a 290-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), sport suspension, and tuned exhaust, making it an edgy and boisterous car.

The most affordable version of the 2022 Mazda3 was the 2.0 sedan, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5 S model, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, was the most popular. The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo had a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. The Mazda3 was fun to drive, with a smooth and supple ride, nimble handling, flawless steering, unyielding grip, and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were at the top of the class, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, holding a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage with room to spare. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature was particularly amusing, allowing the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob.

The Mazda3, sitting low to the ground, was difficult to enter and exit, with small door openings. The front seats provided a snug but comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The back seat, however, was less comfortable for taller passengers, and lacked rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door panel bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The level of infotainment technology in the 2022 Hyundai Sonata was directly proportional to the sticker price. Base SE versions came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB port, 12-volt outlet, and a rearview camera. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was quick and easy, and the Bose audio system provided unexpected power and clarity.

Mazda Connect was the name of the Mazda3’s standard infotainment system, using an 8.8-inch static display and a collection of primary controls on the center console. Mazda believed touchscreen infotainment systems were distracting, so it used this approach instead. However, the lack of a physical tuning function and a voice recognition system that required specific commands were drawbacks. Running Apple CarPlay or Android Auto could mitigate some of these issues. Mazda Connect also included Mazda Connected Services, providing remote access to some vehicle functions via a smartphone app, and an eight-speaker audio system, with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive safety package, even on the base trim. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rearview monitor, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and more. The Sonata received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection, and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS for crashworthiness.

The Mazda3’s safety features were also comprehensive, with standard 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 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every assessment, and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.