In my opinion, "Cars 3" comes out on top when compared to "Cars 2". The third installment in the franchise manages to recapture the charm of the original film, focusing on Lightning McQueen's journey and emotional depth, which was somewhat lost in "Cars 2". The latter took a different path, leaning more towards a spy-thriller vibe, which didn't resonate as well with fans. So, if you ask me, "Cars 3" indeed felt like a more true-to-heart sequel, improving upon the elements that made the first film a hit.