Article Comments - Mazda 6 vs. Honda Accord vs. Nissan Altima

120 messages, Last post on Feb 27, 2009 at 2:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA6, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Finding the Sweet Spot in Family Sedans - After all the poking, prodding, driving and scoring, the $30,690 2009 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring earns a total of 70.3 points in our comparison for a 1st-place finish. (more)

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#1 of 120 Article Comments - Mazda 6 vs. Honda Accord vs. Nissan Altima by KarenS HOST Sep 08, 2008 (9:04 am)
Our recent test of the 2009 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring showed us that Mazda can still offer sporting dynamics in its all-new family sedan, even while providing more room, more features and more power. We were concerned that the sporting spirit of the last-generation, fun-but-snug Mazda 6 might have been lost in the search for commercial success, but we came away believing this new car still has that zoom-zoom thing. Finding the Sweet Spot in Family Sedans Replies to this message: 201mph (Feb 07, 2009 11:31 am)
#2 of 120 I concur by ribbonspeakers Sep 08, 2008 (11:24 am)
I drove all three cars ions & anxiously awaited Edmunds' pecking order to compare notes. The only difference I might contribute is that I favor the Mazda6 by a larger margin. It fits me (6-3, 235 lbs) & my driving proclivities better than any car near the price. I drove the '09 Audi A4 quattro only a few hours earlier; it was better obviously, but not near the price discrepency. I'm 53, have owned dozens of cars & test drove maybe hundreds including an '05 Porsche 911 Cabriolet Tiptronic. The Mazda6 is one of my favorites (not comparing to the 911). The Venza wagon coming November is the only reason I didn't drive home the Mazda. Kudos to the Mazda team responsible for the car, that will have a long succesful life. Even entry/egress very easy, esp considering my size (a "big" priority for me, no pun intended). Exterior styling is outstanding while the interior is even better. IIRC, Mini Cooper recently stole the head Mazda designer, but please correct me if incorrect; easily understood after driving it. I have no commercial car interest whatsover. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Sep 08, 2008 11:42 am) aviboy97 (Sep 08, 2008 1:43 pm) m6user (Sep 08, 2008 1:56 pm)
#3 of 120 Re: I concur [ribbonspeakers] by bvdj84 Sep 08, 2008 (11:42 am)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 08, 2008 11:24 am) I have not had the opportunity to drive the Mazda6, but I feel the order in place for the car based on tests, that it is correct. New Mazda6 is really going to hit a home run with this car, it adds a little bit of sport, class, and of course fun to its ride. While, the accord has great attributes all around, it would certainly come up next, due to its a bit more sophisticated and older stance. Perhaps adding a manual shift mode to its automatic, would add enough fun to put it higher on the list. The Altima, while a great car, feel its where it needs to be, 3rd place. It lacks in design, looks cheaper, I don't feel anything special with the car. Its a bit dated in its ways. It nice car though, and still deserves to be on the list. I feel the Mazda has the most design, and geared more for driving. Though, I would probably buy an Accord.
#4 of 120 Re: I concur [ribbonspeakers] by aviboy97 Sep 08, 2008 (1:43 pm)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 08, 2008 11:24 am) I believe it was Telsa Motors that stole Franz von Holzhausen from Mazda. Replies to this message: m6user (Sep 08, 2008 1:56 pm)
#5 of 120 Re: I concur [aviboy97] by m6user Sep 08, 2008 (1:56 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 08, 2008 1:43 pm) Has anyone filed a police report?
#6 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 08, 2008 (2:09 pm)
Boy am I dumb! It took me a whole minute or more to figure out the police report remark. The Mazda may have inherited some German car driving dynamics from Mr. Holzhausen. Mazda & Ford share some technology. I've sat in the Ford Fusion, which is the closest relative to the Mazda6. I desire to purchase American, but the Fusion's interior design & space are not close. The Malibu's roof is too low, too noisy, inferior interior design & driving dynamics. IMHO a wagon version of the new Mazda would be about as close as possible to the perfect car. Wonder if one is coming. From Edmunds' pictures so far, the much anticipated Toyota Venza, especially the grill, leans heavily toward a senior citizen flavor (I'm 53 & almost a senior so please take no offense; just prefer something a little more daring/less conservative/less Buick-like). When I called the dealer to confirm the new '09 Mazda was available to test drive, a female sales assistant said customers reported it was like a Lexus. After several hundred or more conversations w/ automotive & motorcycle sales persons I thought the words were just silly immature sales "fluff", completely disregarded it & put it out of my mind. After driving it I'd have to agree. It's a home run. Honda must be taking one apart piece by piece at this very second. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Sep 08, 2008 6:33 pm) stephen987 (Sep 09, 2008 5:08 am) jeffyscott (Sep 09, 2008 5:15 am)
#7 of 120 I concur by leowin Sep 08, 2008 (3:01 pm)
I checked out Mazda 6 over the weekend at a local dealer, looks good to me....my Mazda 3 lease coming up next June, I am sure there will be some dealer who would want to give me some extra credit to change over sooner.... however, just wondering ...does Mazda 6 has anti-whiplash headrests and how is the A/C in hot sun? ( My current 2 beaves about Mazda 3 - esp a very weak AC performance)...I couldnt get the details anywhere...
#8 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 08, 2008 (3:24 pm)
AC is a great question & one I will investigate before purchasing, though I doubt it would be a deal breaker. Current & last vehicles '06 Honda Ridgeline V6 & '04 Chevy Tahoe 4.7 V8, respectively. All I can contribute is that the Tahoe's AC seemed about 30% subjectively stronger vs. the Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is OK but "...I knew the Chevy Tahoe, & Senator, your (AC) is no Chevy Tahoe..." We can only dream about the legendary icicles said to form on the vents of late '50s through early '70s Cadillac luxo boats.
#9 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by aviboy97 Sep 08, 2008 (6:33 pm)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 08, 2008 2:09 pm) von Holzhausen had nothing to do with the driving dynamics. He was only with Mazda for little over 2 years. Replies to this message: stephen987 (Sep 09, 2008 5:08 am)
#10 of 120 Will adding the $4,200 Premium package turn the tables? by slamtaz Sep 08, 2008 (7:59 pm)
To quote the review: "Granted, the Nissan is at a slight disadvantage here without a leather package, but to get leather requires ordering the $4,200 Premium package that adds a long list of other items you might not want or need." Also: "To level the playing field, we weighted as-tested prices as 20 percent of the final score just like the feature content, but even with a sizable price advantage, this $27,275 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE CVT couldn't make up for its missing features that are standard equipment on its rivals, including Bluetooth connection, dual-zone climate control, electronic stability control and leather upholstery." It appears that Nissan lagged behind, in part because of the absence of said package (i.e. how small or large a part, beats me? ), when adding it will bring its price to within $500-600 of the other car and in exchange will probably make it fare better in other departments. I haven't researched the content of the Premium package of Nissan but i surmise that at that price, it brings a lot to the arena and may have changed the outcome of the comparison. In other words, Nissan may lose its advantage in price which is 20% of final score but may have gained more in return on the other 80%... Any thoughts about this? Replies to this message: karpediem (Sep 08, 2008 8:23 pm) cx7lover (Sep 08, 2008 9:35 pm) karpediem (Sep 08, 2008 10:30 pm) and 15 more... maxamillion1 (Sep 08, 2008 10:35 pm) dgs4 (Sep 17, 2008 5:02 pm) and 6 more...