2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely resembled the Honda Accord. Over time, Hyundai infused the Sonata with its own unique flair, moving away from imitation to create a distinctive design. The seventh-generation Sonata, introduced in 2020, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline, offering a bold look that divided opinions. Inside, the Sonata provided a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, though the material quality was average. The N Line variant added sporty touches, transforming the Sonata's appearance with features like a body kit, dual exhaust, and unique interior elements.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 showcased a striking design with rakish headlights and a large grille. Available in sedan and hatchback forms, the hatchback stood out with its daring, futuristic design. The interior continued this theme with a clean, minimalist layout, though the infotainment system's non-touchscreen interface proved cumbersome. The Mazda3 offered various trim levels, each with distinct features, and the GT Turbo trim provided a more powerful engine. Despite its stylish design, the rear seating area was cramped, making the Mazda3 more suitable for front-seat use.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a smooth and quiet ride, ideal for everyday driving. The Sonata N Line, however, was a different beast, featuring a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-litre engine paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup delivered a thrilling driving experience, though all Sonatas were front-wheel drive, lacking an all-wheel-drive option. The Sonata excelled in ride comfort and noise reduction, offering a serene cabin environment.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3, on the other hand, offered a base 2.0-litre engine with 155 horsepower, while a 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower was available on higher trims. The standout was the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, producing up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. This engine, combined with i-Activ AWD, provided an engaging driving experience. The Mazda3's steering was well-weighted, and its handling was precise and refined. The Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, making the Mazda3 a joy to drive, though the infotainment system's interface detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were excellent, though rear-seat space was adequate but not overly generous. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. A standout feature was the Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the Sonata to park itself with the press of a button, though it was more of a novelty than a necessity.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 374 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 569 litres. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area was more accommodating, with a decently sized centre console and ergonomic design. Despite its stylish appearance, the Mazda3's interior space was best suited for front-seat occupants, with the rear seats serving as a backup option.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment system varied by trim level, with base models featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and higher trims offering a 10.25-inch display with navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration and impressive sound quality from the Bose speakers. The Sonata delivered excellent value with its technology offerings, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3, however, struggled with its infotainment system. The 8.8-inch display was not a touchscreen, relying on a dial for navigation, which proved clumsy and unintuitive. The system's interface was confusing, especially when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Despite these drawbacks, the Mazda3 offered features like navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, which provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sonata received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The Sonata's advanced safety systems worked seamlessly, providing peace of mind without being intrusive.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features available on higher trims. The GS trim added forward automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning, while the GT trim included adaptive headlights and a 360-degree camera system. The Mazda3 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, though its massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, posing a safety concern.