2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely mimicked the Honda Accord. Initially criticized for its lack of originality and quality, Hyundai gradually improved the Sonata by learning from its competitors. By the seventh generation, the Sonata had developed a distinctive look with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with clear gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery color was not universally appealing. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black accents, and unique N-brand sport seats, transforming its look from mild to wild.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured rakish headlights and a large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. The sedan had conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a daring, futuristic design. Inside, the Mazda3 continued the clean, futuristic theme with a simple yet stylish cabin. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome choice. The Mazda3 offered various trim levels, each adding more features, with the top trim, 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus, including advanced driver assistance features and a powerful turbocharged engine.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of performance options. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, making 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, was available on the SEL Plus and Limited trims. The Sonata N Line featured a 290-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride was smooth and quiet, offering competent handling.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's base engine was a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. A manual transmission was available on front-wheel drive Premium models. The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine made 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular fuel or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The Mazda3's driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering, precise handling, and a fantastic turbo engine sound. The Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, making the Mazda3 agile and responsive.

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 top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward with a button press, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet. Rear seat legroom was limited, and the sloping roofline reduced headroom. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment and sizable cupholders, though the lid design was frustrating. The Mazda3's interior was designed primarily for front-seat use, with the rear seats suitable for occasional use.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. The base SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality and value.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the center console. The system was not a touchscreen, making menu navigation clumsy and unintuitive. The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Higher trims added navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system. The Bose stereo offered great sound quality, but the infotainment system's design was a significant drawback.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive safety package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added features like blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view monitor. The Sonata received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS for crashworthiness.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 included standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's design posed a safety issue.