{
  "id": 12824273,
  "title": "I drove the Hyundai Elantra N and Mazda 3 for a week — here's the sub-$40K sedan I'd spend my own money on",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/i-drove-the-hyundai-elantra-n-and-mazda-3-for-a-week-heres-the-sub",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/vehicle-tech/i-drove-the-hyundai-elantra-n-and-mazda-3-for-a-week-heres-the-sub-usd40k-sedan-id-spend-my-own-money-on"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a week-long test of the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N and Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, both compact sedans offered practicality and affordability at a sub-$40,000 price point. The Hyundai Elantra N showcased a bold, sporty design with aggressive lines and aerodynamic features, while the Mazda 3 embraced an upscale, minimalist aesthetic with refined curves and an upscale silhouette. Both vehicles delivered comparable fuel economy, with the Mazda 3 edging out by a slight margin. In terms of driving performance, the Mazda 3 offered a more enjoyable ride with its refined handling and smooth acceleration, while the Hyundai Elantra N provided a thrilling, sportier experience. Ultimately, the Mazda 3 emerged as the winner, offering a balance of style, performance, and long-term cost savings that made it the best value for a sub-$40,000 sedan.",
  "summary": "After driving the 2026 Mazda 3 and 2026 Hyundai Elantra N for a week each, there's one compact sedan under $40,000 that I'd buy with my own money.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hyundai Elantra N features bold, sporty design with aggressive lines",
    "Mazda 3 embraces upscale, minimalist aesthetic with refined curves",
    "Mazda 3 emerges as best value for sub-$40K sedan due to performance and cost savings"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}