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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#21 of 120 Re: [mosesnamibia] by stephen987 Sep 09, 2008 (5:08 am)
I never thought I'd see the phrase "Namibia's largest online showroom of cars." Then again, I wasn't looking for it.
#22 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by jeffyscott Sep 09, 2008 (5:15 am)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 08, 2008 2:09 pm) customers reported it was like a Lexus...After driving it I'd have to agree. Since Lexus = Toyota, to me this would mean the new Mazda6 is like a Camry. I'm not saying it is...just pointing out that not everyone wants a car that is "like a Lexus". Though many certainly do, which is why 400,000+ Camrys are sold each year in the US.
#23 of 120 Re: Will adding the $4,200 Premium package turn the tables? [cx7lover] by maxamillion1 Sep 09, 2008 (7:03 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Sep 09, 2008 3:15 am) Again comparable features can be added to the SE to net features found in the the 3.5SL. At first you say the 3.5SE competes with the Touring...then you say the 3.5SL competes with the Grand Touring...but because of Nissan's infamous packaging you'd have to get the technology pkg to get the VDC you'd want which would make the cars "uncomparable" in comparison because of your lack for needing navigation. Yet the 3.5SE model, which can be had with every option that is available on the 3.5SL can be had with VDC and without Navigation but somehow it doesn't compete with the Grand Touring model because its standard equipment falls below that of the mazda6 grand touring even though with options, it would be better suited to compete with both the Touring and Grand Touring than the Altima 3.5SL model would be. Seems the way you are trying to compare them, the 3.5SE ends up being the best one of the bunch to be compred against. It can be equipped with cloth upholstery to compete with the Touring models and it can be loaded to the gills with rearview camera, navigation and other options along with a sports tuned suspesnsion to compete with the top of the line mazda6 GT. The 3.5SE can be had with EVERY option that is available on the 3.5SL which would in essense make it better eqiupped than the Mazda6 Touring you talk about and more in line with the Grand Touring since the SL that you claim competes with the 6 GT would have fewer features than said loaded 3.5SE. The premium pkgs neats the following options: dual zone automatic climate control, full leather upholstery, rear a/c vents, BOSE Am/Fm/CD6/XM with 8 speakers, metallic trim, heated front seats, leather shift knob, power lumbar support, xenon auto on/off headlamps, auto dimming rearview mirror, and everything else that comes standard on the 3.5SL. There is no denying that the 6 is the better equipped car and there is no denying that the Altima is too expensive for what you get.But to say that the 3.5SE only competes with the Mazda6 Touring because it has less standard features (but optional features that would make it better equippped and MORE expensive than the 3.5SL) is saying too that the 3.5SL is a better competitor with the Touring model when in the end the 3.5SE can be had with more "comparable" features to the Touring or Grand Touring than the 3.5SL model could. Both the 3.5SE and 3.5SL models come up real short on features compared to the any Mazda6 Grand Touring, but the 3.5SL's smallish 16 inch wheels, more luxurious ride and cushier handling would fail against any Mazda6 model. The 3.5SE would at least stand a chance. Afterall this comparison test was done to prove which sedan was the sportiest, which sedan was the best..no doubt the 3.5SL would have lost more points in handling than a 3.5SE would have. The Altima's gauges nearly blinded you? Maybe you should have tried adjusting them can't be any worse than the blue/red found in the Mazda6 when lit to the highest brightness settings. Replies to this message: cx7lover (Sep 10, 2008 9:37 am) maxamillion1 (Sep 10, 2008 10:34 am) cx7lover (Sep 11, 2008 12:50 am) and 8 more...
#24 of 120 Japan only? by usa1 Sep 09, 2008 (8:20 am)
Too bad only Japan makes mid size sedans today. I wish Chevrolet, Ford, VW, etc made something worthy of including in a comparison test. Oh yeah, they do. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Sep 09, 2008 9:14 am) m6user (Sep 09, 2008 9:20 am) jeffyscott (Sep 09, 2008 9:51 am)
#25 of 120 Re: Japan only? [usa1] by aviboy97 Sep 09, 2008 (9:14 am)
Replying to: usa1 (Sep 09, 2008 8:20 am) My guess is that is was a quick test to see how the Mazda6 stacks up against what Mazda considers their direct competition. However, Mazda also considers the Passat, Fusion, and Camry their direct competitors. Why they were excluded is beyond me. Replies to this message: m6user (Sep 09, 2008 9:20 am) jeffyscott (Sep 09, 2008 9:51 am)
#26 of 120 Re: Japan only? [aviboy97] by m6user Sep 09, 2008 (9:20 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 09, 2008 9:14 am) My guess is that is was a quick test You answered your own question. Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Sep 09, 2008 9:51 am)
#27 of 120 Re: Japan only? [m6user] by jeffyscott Sep 09, 2008 (9:51 am)
Replying to: m6user (Sep 09, 2008 9:20 am) I'd assume the choices were made because the last time the Accord was #1, but that model has changed, and the Altima was #2: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=123842/pageNumber=5
#28 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 09, 2008 (9:56 am)
"Since Lexus = Toyota, to me this would mean the new Mazda6 is like a Camry. I'm not saying it is...just pointing out that not everyone wants a car that is "like a Lexus". Though many certainly do, which is why 400,000+ Camrys are sold each year in the US. Only someone unfamiliar w/ Lexus & Toyota would state one equals the other. They don't, and the rest of the post is based on this fallacy. The new 6 is closer to a Lexus than any Camry in regards to interior design/esthetics. In driving dynamics the 6 beats either/both Lexus FWD & Toyota. "Too bad only Japan makes mid size sedans today. I wish Chevrolet, Ford, VW, etc made something worthy of including in a comparison test. Oh yeah, they do." IMO they don't. Believe me I'd rather keep more money here. It's not my fault GM & Ford are uncompetitive in this category. GM & Ford made the wrong decision to give this market up to the Japanese while they horded profits on then-popular SUVs/trucks. It's payback time. Drive the 6 back to back w/ the Fusion & Malibu. No contest in the 4-cylinder versions. Exterior style debatable, but not driving dynamics & interior. The Passat is rated "far worse than average" reliability by CU; I would otherwise consider it (that plus it needs premium fuel for best performance & costs far more). Unless the dealer is just too far away vs. other closer brands, IMO Mazda owns the midsize family sedan market till further notice. I've been paying very close attention, waiting earnestly for the 6's arrival. Contrary to prior experience w/ new model arrivals, this time it was worth the wait. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Sep 09, 2008 11:57 am) jeffyscott (Sep 10, 2008 6:33 am) bvdj84 (Sep 10, 2008 6:52 am)
#29 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by aviboy97 Sep 09, 2008 (11:57 am)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 09, 2008 9:56 am) The Ford Fusion was loosely based on the 1st gen Mazda6. They shared engines and rode on a similar platform. Interior dash designs were also very similar. With how the mid sized market sits right now, the Fusion is really outdated. Yet, the Fusion has proven to be reliable to date, and owners have been happy . FE seems to be the biggest complaint. The Malibu on the other hand is a decent player. While I have never driven one, owners here seem to think highly of it. Time will tell if it will if it will stand up in terms of its perceived initial quality rankings. We all know IQ means nothing. It's the long term quality that is the rule of thumb. The VW Passat is a really fun car to drive, and has that classic German design that is always easy on the eyes. Build quality and materials seem to be in order. However, along with classic German design comes legendary German reliability issues. While VW has seen a steady climb with reliability in their non-turbo applications, the turbo charged vehicles, like the Passat, continue to sit in the murky waters that is the bottom of the reliability charts. Add that to the significant initial cost and added fuel and maintenance costs (especially electrical related problems), and the Passat really puts a hurtin' on your wallet. The Accord has nothing to prove. It is a historically wonderful car, and one cannot go wrong when you buy one. However, recent concerns with real world FE in both I4 and V6 engines which has raised numerous questions as to how Honda may be engineering their engines to over achieve in the EPA tests, and a confusing center control center, the Accord has shown a bit of logistical weakness. All this was pointed out in Edmunds recent comparo with the Mazda6 and Altima. Design is a purely subjective. Some like it, some don't. To Honda's credit, the Accord is still considered the benchmark of the industry. Again, it's a great car. The Altima has really come on strong in recent years. This is really the only other car, besides a Mazda6, that I would consider owning from this segment. It has a semi sporty design (again, purely subjective), fairly easy to use center controls and good built quality. I4 and V6 engines are powerful, and refined. The CVT transmission has gotten rave reviews. The I4 owners like the fuel economy overall (some don't) from what I have seen, however, there have been reports of sub par FE with the V6 and the V6 recommends Premium, however, runs on regular with a little less performance. Overall, the Altima seems to be a nice blend of economy, performance and quality. Hence why sales have really spiked in recent years. The 09 Mazda6 is leaps and bounds over the previous gen. It's bigger, more refined, more economical and stylish (subjective!!). As the recent comparo shows, Mazda payed attention to who they consider the class leaders (Accord, Altima, Camry) and sought out to build, in their minds, a better car. With build quality that reportedly betters Altima, at least on par with Accord, and way better then Camry, Mazda did its job there. Technology / safety? It has all the toys (and some!) and every safety feature on the market. Size? Yup, is now big enough to play ball. Power? Check that box too. With a 170hp I4 and 30mpg's highway, the 2.5L is more then competitive, and the 3.7L is faster, and more economical then both the lighter Accord and Altima as shown by Edmunds' recent comparo. In the handling department, Edmunds also showed that the Mazda6 is still the class leader too. The only remaining variable is long term quality and reliability. The Mazda6 did have issues early on (as did Altima from 02-06) however, there are many owners who have never encountered any issues what so ever. Mazda has stated that they have had an overhaul in quality control, and insists that over 2,000,000 miles real world testing were enough to claim that it will hold up over time. If it does, my opinion would be that it is the new leader in the midsized market.
#30 of 120 Numbers by drive571 Sep 09, 2008 (4:50 pm)
"Although some might complain that the new, larger 2009 Mazda 6 has lost some of the sport sedan flavor of its predecessor, a comparison with the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Mazdaspeed 6 we last tested shows the '09 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring is only slightly less capable, yet far more livable." Ah-ah-ah, Edmunds, you know better than to lead readers into that trap. Similar numbers do NOT mean similar driving enjoyment. If 0-60 times and skidpad figures told the whole story, a Lexus LS 460's performance would be as thrilling as a Porsche Boxster's, and an Elantra's handling would be as nimble as a first-generation Miata's. The new 6 has more grip and more engine than the previous generation, but any honest editor knows it takes more than that for one car to be more fun than another.