Hyundai SONATA vs. Mazda Mazda6
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SONATA and Mazda Mazda6 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Hyundai SONATA and the Mazda Mazda6.
In comparing the Hyundai SONATA's and the Mazda Mazda6's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. The Mazda Mazda6 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SONATA's and the Mazda Mazda6's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA is a better car than the Mazda Mazda6.
Pricing: A used 2021 Hyundai SONATA ranges from $16,298 to $26,000 while a used 2021 Mazda Mazda6 is priced between $18,276 to $28,457.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai SONATA loses 41.4 percent of its value and the Mazda Mazda6 loses 37.9 percent of its value. This means the Mazda Mazda6 retains 3.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai SONATA.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 8.6 out of 10 while the Mazda Mazda6's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai SONATA being ranked 4 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Mazda Mazda6 being ranked 5 out of 13.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 7.9 out of 10. For the Mazda Mazda6 the reliability rating is 8.3 out of 10. This gives the Mazda Mazda6 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai SONATA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai SONATA’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Mazda Mazda6 base engine makes 187 horsepower. The SONATA is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 548 miles. The Mazda6 is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 574 miles.This gives the Hyundai SONATA the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mazda Mazda6 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are midsize cars, the Hyundai SONATA has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Mazda Mazda6 has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Hyundai SONATA and the Mazda Mazda6 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22270 - 36995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24475
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22270 - 36995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
20935
Price Range:
16298 - 26000
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
23413
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
19265 - 31049
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
540
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
57824
# Good or Great Deals:
173
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22750
Price Range:
18276 - 28457
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
23413
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
19265 - 31049
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
83
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55413
# Good or Great Deals:
23
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.624363 / 10
Reliability:
7.947141 / 10
Retained Value:
7.92595 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mazda Mazda6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.805614 / 10
Reliability:
8.273358 / 10
Retained Value:
8.143485 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SONATA
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
6.5 - 10.0
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.044
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda Mazda6
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
6.5 - 10.0
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.106
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.369179165466312
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 13.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5245719114858711
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 13.8
Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Mazda Mazda6 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
Limited, N Line, SE, SEL, SEL Plus
Mazda Mazda6 Trim Levels
Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Signature, Sport, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
400 / 548 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 35 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 574 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3120 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3437 lbs
Width:
82.3 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
192.7 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black
Blue
Stormy Sea
Gray
Hampton Gray / Portofino Gray
Red
Calypso Red
Silver
Shimmering Silver Pearl
White
Quartz White
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Dark Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
