2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

Although prices can rise sharply, the Mazda3 justifies its price tag with excellent driving dynamics and a design that has aged with grace.

Verdict: The 2024 Mazda3 delivers luxurious levels of styling and performance despite coming from an automaker that is often cross-shopped against mass-market rivals. Consider this car an entry-level Audi rather than a Toyota competitor.

It’s easy to discount the value of a family sedan with so many crossovers on the road. But the fact is that this body style makes a lot of sense for a lot of families. The more manageable and maneuverable the vehicle, the better for teaching budding young drivers. Lighter weight also translates to better fuel economy, not to be sneered at when there are mouths to feed and tuitions to pay. And your typical midsize sedan is plenty spacious for four.

Fortunately, automakers have not forgotten about the venerable family sedan, keeping one another on their toes with updates, and it’s consumers who stand to benefit from that sort of healthy competition. Now, it’s the 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s turn for a mid-generation refresh.

Verdict: We already liked the Sonata, and this refresh only improves it. The styling update and generous standard feature set make it a compelling choice.