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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13222 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 7:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#11289 of 13222 Accord verses Mazda6 continued by maxamillion85 Jan 03, 2009 (11:20 pm)
...and even though its only a mere .4 inches longer than the new Mazda6, it handled like a bigger, more sedate car.   On the flip side, the 6 was a lot more fun to drive. I went to a dealership in Anderson, SC that allows you to test drive cars on your own so I took the 6 on an extended test drive. Outside of having a pushy salesmen who knew nothing about his product and who acted like my brother and I weren’t worth his time, I must say the experience with the 6 was fantasitc! From the interior layout, to the handling and steering feel the 6 was just more fun to drive. I felt like I was connected to the car, not just driving it. It took some time getting used to the shift pattern but once I warmed up to it, I felt right at home in the 6. I took the 6 all over the Anderson area…from the back roads leading to Clemson University to a short stint up Interstate 85. The 6 was up for every challenge. In areas where the Accord simply met the challenge, the 6 seemed eager, more poised and ready for any task given to it. Surprisingly the 6’s ride was more composed than the Accord’s and it never felt harsh. The 6 also had less wind and engine noise. As a matter of fact, while sitting at a red light I thought I’d actually stalled the 6 because it was so quiet. One area where the 6 lagged behind the Accord was in power. The Accord, even in base LX form just seemed more powerful despite its slightly bigger size. I’m sure the 6 weighs more too. The lack in power isn’t a real concern but it is noticeable in the few passing maneuvers I attempted on the interstate. While the 6 didn’t feel as sporty as the previous generation, its sportier than anything currently available in this class. Winner: The Mazda6 by a wide margin.   Features:   I’m one of those folks who loves features. One of the few things I like about my current Altima is its list of standard and optional equipment. In the feature content arena, the 6 easily beats the Accord and everything else in this class. Xenon headlamps, LEDs and push button start are just a few of the features the Mazda6 GT I test drove had.   Memory seats are a nice touch too, but I don’t think I’d use them much. I didn’t drive an EX or EX-L but I spent a few minutes inside an Accord EXLV6 inside the dealership showroom and it became clear that Honda missed the boat on interior gadgetry and innovation. Bluetooth is only available on navigation-equipped models, there is no push button start, no LED tail lamps or electroluminescent interior gauges. For the price of a GT model, I’d be better off moving up into Acura TSX or Audi A4 2.0t territory, but a loaded Touring model with Convenience and BOSE/Moonroof pkgs lines up very closely with the Accord EX-L model all while having xenons, rain-sensing wipers and many other features not found in this class.   Winner: Mazda6 by a wide margin   Overall:   While I do find the styling of the Accord to be better than the 6, I cannot deny that the 6 is overall the more sporting and more fun car to drive. From its racy, cool looking gauge cluster to its sporty handling and fun to drive factor the 6 just seems like the more engaging car. The Accord, while feeling predictable, just feels a bit mature, even a bit Spartan in LX trim (which is to be expected given its base price) so I’ll have to make the trip to Asheville to drive the only EX-L manual sedan in my area (coincidently a Mazda dealership in the Asheville area also has an I GT manual as well) On the safety front the two cars should be very similar and at this point I’ll give Honda a slight edge over the 6 for reliability (considering Honda’s track record) but overall the 6 just fit me better. I’d like to stay loyal to Honda (since that’s all my family has ever driven) and because I find the interior materials to be a great deal better than those found in the 6, but the 6 draws me to it and considering that it seems easy to find a loaded manual Mazda6 in comparison to a loaded manual Accord and the fact that Mazda will probably give me a better discount, I’m going with the 6 on this one. If there were a few things I’d change about the new Mazda6, it would be its available color combinations for manual models. You can only get four exterior colors (Red, Black, Silver or Gray) with one interior color (Black) while in Canada you can choose any color 6 you want, even with the manual transmission. I would love a Kona Blue Mazda6 I GT with Gray leather!   Overall Winner: Mazda6...until I get more seat time in an EX-L manual Accord.   Replies to this message: mz6greyghost (Jan 04, 2009 8:13 am) aviboy97 (Jan 05, 2009 8:44 am)
#11290 of 13222 Fusion hybrid by kirstie_h HOST Jan 04, 2009 (7:39 am)
Speaking as a regular ol' driver rather than a host, I LIKE this car. A lot. People can argue over the origin of the technology and whether it is/isn't a true hybrid - whatever. The fact is that Ford has made a great decision to build on a strong product by offering it in a version that maximizes fuel economy. To most of us, that's the essential information.   For the first time in ages, I'm excited about a Ford product. The Prius, for a variety of reasons, doesn't do it for me, but I think this is a great move for Ford.   kirstie_h visiting host
#11291 of 13222 Re: Accord verses Mazda6 continued [maxamillion85] by mz6greyghost Jan 04, 2009 (8:13 am)
Replying to: maxamillion85 (Jan 03, 2009 11:20 pm) Excellent and very thorough review. I agree with most points you've posted, but IMO the interior materials between the Accord and 6 aren't that much different, if at all. The biggest drawback (by far) is the 60-something buttons stacked all over the dash, as you've mentioned. Too busy. I'm driving a car, not flying a 747.
#11292 of 13222 Re: C/D on hybrid mid-sized sedans [backy] by explorerx4 Jan 04, 2009 (9:24 am)
Replying to: backy (Jan 03, 2009 9:13 pm) i guess i am mistaken about the roof wiring in a prius. regardless, since it is not available with a factory moonroof, i would not buy one. overall, i can appreciate that it is a pretty practical vehicle, just not for me.
#11293 of 13222 Yet another mid-sized hybrid sedan coming by backy Jan 04, 2009 (10:35 am)
Not sure this was mentioned here before, but we'll have another mid-sized hybrid to choose from in 2010: the Sonata hybrid, which will probably be the first hybrid to use a lithium polymer battery. The Elantra hybrid will actually be Hyundai's first hybrid, due this July, but it will be sold only in Korea initially so the Sonata is to be the first Hyundai hybrid sold in the U.S. The details (see link to article below) look interesting... the Sonata will be a full, two-mode hybrid, but reportedly will use a unique variant of the two-mode design to allow optimal fuel economy both in city and highway driving. The lithium polymer battery will take up a lot less room than battery packs used in other hybrids, so perhaps trunk space will not be compromised as it is with today's full-hybrid sedans. And Hyundai plans a plug-in version for later release.   The 2011 Sonata due in 2010, will be part of Hyundai's 24/7 Version 2.0 initiative, which will push out 7 new models by the end of 2011. Recall that the 2006 Sonata was the 2nd vehicle in Hyundai's original 24/7 program, which resulted in 8 (whoops) new or redesigned models in a span of 2 years.   Things are getting interestinger and interestinger in the mid-sized hybrid market!   http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/green_machines/2011_h- - yundai_sonata_hybrid_car_news Replies to this message: explorerx4 (Jan 05, 2009 6:19 pm)
#11294 of 13222 Accord buttons by vanman1 Jan 04, 2009 (4:46 pm)
One of the main reasons I passed on the Accord was the dash. In a nutshell, the buttons all over the place were driving me crazy from the second I sat in it. The exterior is not nearly as attractive as the new Mazda 6 or the Malibu LT which I ended up with.   Honda can always be counted on for reliability and refinement but I think the design of the new Accord is poor. Replies to this message: gooddeal2 (Jan 04, 2009 5:20 pm) plekto (Jan 04, 2009 11:56 pm)
#11295 of 13222 Re: Accord buttons [vanman1] by gooddeal2 Jan 04, 2009 (5:20 pm)
Replying to: vanman1 (Jan 04, 2009 4:46 pm) One of the main reasons I passed on the Accord was the dash. In a nutshell, the buttons all over the place were driving me crazy from the second I sat in it.   I agree. Replies to this message: plekto (Jan 04, 2009 11:56 pm)
#11296 of 13222 Re: Accord buttons [gooddeal2] by plekto Jan 04, 2009 (11:56 pm)
Replying to: gooddeal2 (Jan 04, 2009 5:20 pm) It's like a Japanese video arcade. I thought dashes like that died a well deserved death in the mid 80s?
#11297 of 13222 Re: Accord verses Mazda6 continued [maxamillion85] by aviboy97 Jan 05, 2009 (8:44 am)
Replying to: maxamillion85 (Jan 03, 2009 11:20 pm) Great review. I like it when members post a detailed and un bias post.   The Accord is a very tough vehicle to beat, simply because Honda as "gotten it right" for so many years. No one can deny that.   I will say that I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the comparison of interior materials. I think the Mazda6 uses high material quality, and is put together very well. I really don't see much difference between the build quality of the Accord and Mazda6. The door arm rest is padded BTW, on the Mazda6.   I would by a 6 simply because of the drive and the fact that it is built at least as good as the Accord. IMO
#11298 of 13222 Re: Yet another mid-sized hybrid sedan coming [backy] by explorerx4 Jan 05, 2009 (6:19 pm)
Replying to: backy (Jan 04, 2009 10:35 am) not sure if this is the first day it is available, but the sedan hybrid comparison is available on the c & d online mag. i would like to see at the very least, a camry & fusion hybrid versus camry & fusion 4 cyl versions. 4 on 4 would be better.

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