Compare the2022 Hyundai SonataVS 2021 Mazda 6

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sonata are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Hyundai Sonata has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Compared to metal, the Sonata’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda 6 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Sonata and the Mazda 6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Mazda 6:

	Sonata	Mazda 6
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	33%	53%
Neck Stress	98 lbs.	133 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/21 lbs.	335/150 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Mazda 6:

	Sonata	Mazda 6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1 inches	1.1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	301	356
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	577 lbs.	671 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 6’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the 6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Mazda 6 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Sonata’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Mazda 6’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 6.

There are over 50 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonata’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sonata has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Mazda 6’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Sonata has more powerful engines than the Mazda 6:

	Horsepower	Torque
Sonata SEL Plus/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder	180 HP	195 lbs.-ft.
Sonata 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	191 HP	181 lbs.-ft.
Sonata N Line 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	290 HP	311 lbs.-ft.
Mazda 6 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP	186 lbs.-ft.
Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP	320 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl. is faster than the Mazda 6 4 cyl.:

	Sonata	6
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	9.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	17.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	86 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata gets better mileage than the Mazda 6:

		MPG
Sonata
	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
	SE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/38 hwy
	SEL 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
Mazda 6
	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Sonata SE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Sonata uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Sonata higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Mazda 6 (3 to 7). This means the Sonata produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mazda 6 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Sonata, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 6.

The Sonata offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Sonata’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 6:

	Sonata SE	Sonata N Line	Mazda 6	Mazda 6 Turbo
Front Rotors	12 inches	13.6 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	12.8 inches	10.9 inches	10.9 inches

The Sonata stops much shorter than the Mazda 6:

	Sonata	Mazda 6
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sonata SEL Plus/N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 6 (245/40R19 vs. 225/55R17).

The Sonata SEL Plus/N Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 45 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Mazda 6.

The Sonata N Line handles at .93 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Signature pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sonata N Line executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Mazda 6 Touring (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Mazda 6’s (35.9 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

Chassis

The Hyundai Sonata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Mazda 6.

The design of the Hyundai Sonata amounts to more than styling. The Sonata has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the Mazda 6 (.285) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Sonata get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Sonata Limited is quieter than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring:

	Sonata	6
At idle	37 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	78 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Sonata a Large car, while the Mazda 6 is rated a Mid-size.

The Sonata has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda 6 (104.4 vs. 99.8).

The Sonata has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 6.

Cargo Capacity

The Sonata has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 6 (16 vs. 14.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonata easier. The Sonata’s trunk lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Mazda 6’s liftover is 28.3 inches.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Sonata. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The Sonata uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mazda 6 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Sonata Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Sonata and the Mazda 6 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sonata is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 6 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sonata’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Mazda 6’s power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

When the Sonata Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Mazda 6’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Sonata (except SE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Sonata Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sonata is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because typical repairs cost much less on the Sonata than the Mazda 6, including $31 less for front brake pads, $323 less for fuel injection, $203 less for a fuel pump and $85 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Sonata and the Mazda 6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2021 issue and they ranked the Hyundai Sonata SEL Plus higher than the Mazda 6 Carbon Edition.