Which is better: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2026 Mazda 3?

It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Hyundai Sonata vs 2026 Mazda 3 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.

Which costs less: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2026 Mazda 3?

Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Mazda 3 starts lower at $24,550. Live Hyundai Sonata listings start at $8,199.

Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2026 Mazda 3?

The 2026 Mazda 3 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,550).

Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2026 Mazda 3?

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (51).

Which has better horsepower: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2026 Mazda 3?

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads on horsepower in this comparison (290).

How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Hyundai Sonata vs 2026 Mazda 3?

NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Hyundai Sonata (5/5 NHTSA overall).

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Hyundai Sonata vs Mazda 3

Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.

Vehicles

2026 Hyundai Sonata

Trim

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2026 Mazda 3

Trim

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Overview

Spec	Hyundai SonataSE	Mazda 32.5 S
Selected trim	SE	2.5 S
Body style	Sedan	Sedan
Drivetrain	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Fuel type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Transmission	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Engine type	gas	gas
Model year	2026	2026

Pricing & market

Spec	Hyundai SonataSE	Mazda 32.5 S
MSRP	$27,300	$24,550 (best)
Lowest listing price	$8,199 (best)	—
Median listing price	$27,982 (best)	—
Highest listing price	$37,156 (best)	—
For sale now	130 (best)	0

Fuel economy & range

Spec	Hyundai SonataSE	Mazda 32.5 S
Combined MPG	32 MPG (best)	30 MPG
City MPG	28 MPG (best)	27 MPG
Highway MPG	38 MPG (best)	36 MPG
Fuel tank	15.9 gal (best)	13.2 gal

Performance

Spec	Hyundai SonataSE	Mazda 32.5 S
Horsepower	191 hp (best)	186 hp
Torque	181 lb-ft	186 lb-ft (best)
Engine size	2.5 L	2.5 L
Cylinders	I4	I4

Size & capability

Spec	Hyundai SonataSE	Mazda 32.5 S
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Doors	4	4
Cargo volume	15.6 cu ft (best)	13.2 cu ft
Curb weight	3,232 lbs	3,111 lbs (best)
Ground clearance	5.3 in	5.5 in (best)
Wheelbase	111.8 in (best)	107.3 in
Length	193.3 in (best)	183.5 in
Width	73.2 in (best)	70.7 in
Height	56.9 in	56.9 in

Safety & recalls

Spec	Hyundai SonataSE	Mazda 32.5 S
NHTSA overall	5 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Frontal crash (driver)	4 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Frontal crash (passenger)	5 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Side crash (driver)	5 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Side crash (passenger)	5 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Side pole	5 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Rollover	5 / 5 ★ (best)	—
Open recalls (YMM scope)	1	None reported (best)

Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.

Trim overview

All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.

Trim	Hyundai Sonata	Mazda 3
1	SE $27,300 MSRP(Currently comparing)	2.5 S $24,550 MSRP(Currently comparing)
2	SEL Sport $29,000 MSRP	2.5 S $25,550 MSRP
3	SEL Sport $30,500 MSRP	2.5 S Select Sport $25,440 MSRP
4	Blue Hybrid $29,050 MSRP	2.5 S Select Sport $26,740 MSRP
5	SEL Hybrid $32,300 MSRP	2.5 S Preferred $27,090 MSRP
6	N Line $35,900 MSRP	2.5 S Preferred $28,440 MSRP
7	Limited Hybrid $38,100 MSRP	2.5 S Carbon Edition $30,210 MSRP
8	—	2.5 S Carbon Edition $31,360 MSRP
9	—	2.5 S Premium $31,450 MSRP
10	—	2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $36,740 MSRP
11	—	2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $37,890 MSRP

Live inventory

Hyundai Sonata130 for sale

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