Mazda6 vs Top of the Line Compacts

[basti08]

Mazda's radio ad... "before you drive home with that compact, check out Mazda6 now at 1.195M"

1.195M na lang pala ang Mazda 6 ngayon almost within the price of a Top end Compact Car.

with that you get better specs than almost any top end compact car:
-DOHC 2.3L 16V I4 164hp 207NM of Torque
-5 speed automatic transmission (manumatic?)
-Double Wishbone Suspension (f)
-E-Type Multilink Suspension (r)
-215/45R17 tires and alloys
-6 Airbags
-4W Disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA
-Traction Control (TCS)
-Ext.: wraparound bodykit, smoked head and tail lamps, rain sensing wipers, HID lights, foglights
-Int.: leather seats, chrome accents and power driver's seat, moonroof
-all power amenities, auto climate control, 6CD Stereo, 60/40 seats
-keyless entry alarm with immobilizer

versus some top end compacts
Ford Focus TDci/2.0 Sport


specs:
TDci 1.089M
-DOHC 2.0L 16V I4 134hp 340NM of Torque
-6 Speed Manual
2.0 Sport 999K
-DOHC 2.0L 16V I4 143hp 185NM of Torque
-4 Speed AT with manumatic
-MacPherson strut suspension (f)
-Control Blade suspension (r)
-205/55R16 alloys and tires
-Dual Airbags
-4W Disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA
-Ext.: wraparound bodykit, smoked headlamps, front and rear foglights and side mirror mounted signal repeaters
-Int.: sport leather seats, chrome accents
-all power amenities, dual auto climate control, 6CD Stereo with Aux
-On board computer and keyless entry alarm with immobilizer

Honda Civic


specs:
1.132M (pearl white) 1.117M
-DOHC 2.0L 16V I4 155hp 192NM of Torque
-5 speed AT with paddle shift
-MacPherson strut suspension (f)
-Double wishbone suspension (r)
-205/50R17 tires and alloys
-4 Airbags
-4W Disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA
-Traction Control (VSA)
-Ext.: HID lights, foglights and side mirror mounted signal repeaters
-Int.: Leather seats, paddle shifters
-all power amenities, auto climate control, 6CD Stereo with MP3/WMA/Aux
-keyless entry alarm with immobilizer

Mazda's own 3 2.0R


specs:
1.089M
-DOHC 2.0L 16V I4 147hp 187NM of Torque
-4 Speed AT with manumatic
-MacPherson strut suspension (f)
-E-Type Multilink suspension (r)
-205/50R17 tires and alloys
-Dual Airbags
-4W Disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA
-Ext.: wraparound bodykit, smoked head and LED tail lights, rain sensing wipers, HID lights, foglights and side mirror mounted signal repeaters
-Int.: Leather seats, blacked out meter gauges; graphite accents; moon roof
-all power amenities, auto climate control, 6CD/MP3 Stereo, 60/40 seats
-keyless entry alarm with immobilizer

Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport AT


specs:
1.140M
-DOHC 2.0L 16V F4 150hp 196NM of Torque
-All Wheel Drive
-4 Speed automatic transmission
-MacPherson strut suspension (f)
-Double wishbone suspension (r)
-205/50R17 tires and alloys
-Dual Airbags
-4W Disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA
-Traction Control (VDCS)
-Ext.: HID headlamps; headlamp washers; LED tail lamps; rear spoiler; front and rear foglights, bodykits
-Int.: Silver accent; 60/40 split-fold rear seat; cargo cover
-all power amenities, auto climate control, 6CD/MP3/WMA/Aux Stereo 10speakers
-On board computer, keyless entry alarm with immobilizer.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Some observations......

1. No curb weights? While the Mazda 6 may have the most hp on the list, it's also probably the heaviest.

2. In this day and age of 6-speed transmissions, there's still cars with 4-speed A/T? Wow.

3. Does the 2.0 Subbie also have a hood scoop? Also, with AWD, you would think traction control would be redundant especially for the base 2.0.

That said, they're all excellent choices. But, I'd go for the first 3 which all have at least a 5-speed transmission. Among the three, I'd have to drive all before I can pick a winner.

[eddiebauer]

bad trip nga yan eh 1.195M na lang. bili namin dyan 1.285M

pero d'best mz6 sakyan

[sherwintommy]

bad trip nga yan eh 1.195M na lang. bili namin dyan 1.285M

pero d'best mz6 sakyan

bakit nag lower ng price ang m6?....or baka meron na silang ilalabas na new version of m6???

[a4Tech]

Yes mga June ata maglalabas ng bagong Mazda6.

[niky]

Of all of the above, it's the new Impreza I haven't driven yet.

The Mazda6 and Mazda3 have the best tire specs, and handling is really nifty on both cars. I'm not really 100% on this (it's been over a year since I've driven a 6), but I think the 6 has much better steering than the 3. 4-speed ATs suck... but the Mazdas have good engines, with a generous amount of top-end.

The Focus is a bit heavy, and the tires really aren't suited to the engine performance, but it's the fastest available in this price range, 0-100 km/h in the mid-8 second range, potential sub-16 second quarter mile. Six speed gearbox. The steering isn't as tightly geared as in the Mazdas, but it's as feelsome as the Mazda 6's box, and better than the 3's. Springs are a bit on the soft side, but the shock damping is perfect for spirited driving. Given better tires, it'd be a blast on any mountain road.

The Civic has a lot of top-end grunt, but it's only available in automatic now, as the manual version is cancelled. The AT of the Civic is very responsive. it shifts quickly (better than the mazda boxes) and if you get the paddle-shift version, it'll hold gear in redline all day. Unfortunately, being an automatic, off-the-line acceleration is somewhat blunted... and the local Civic has very soft suspension tuning, which makes the rear end choppy when you corner hard.

The Impreza, I haven't driven... but from feedback from other sources, the base 2,0 model won't be as overtly sporty as the WRX, so it might be on the soft side. With AWD, AT and just two non-turbo liters, it'll be the slowest of this lot. The last 2.0 NA AT Subie Legacy we tested did 0-100 km/h in 13.5 seconds... the Impreza should do it in 12-13. With Subaru's trademark rally-bred suspension, it should be more supple than the Mazda/Ford lot, which have less suspension travel, and more stable than the Civic.

Personally, I'd go for the Focus, just because it's the fastest, as well as the only one with a 6-speed MT... but in terms of interior amenities in this price range, you can't really beat the Mazda6.

Of course, given the money, I'd like one of each (Civic, Mazda3, Mazda6, Focus, Impreza), please.

[basti08]

Ooops, sorry sir Jun.

I think that is the photo for the flagship, at the moment, Impreza 2.5 WRX priced at 1.750M.

I just compared the Mazda6 to some top end compacts not by performance alone.

Because at 1.195M it is very affordable for its specs comparable to a mid size sedans but priced close to a top end compact. Anyway, performance isnt everything. Features, style and status, the Mazda6 is above most of those car for such a tiny premium.

btw, here's the curb weight

Mazda6- 1442kg
Honda Civic 2.0S-L- 1285kg
Focus TDci/2.0 Sport- 1421/1371kg
Mazda3 2.0R- 1290kg
Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport- 1365kg

Btw, the real competitors of the 6 here are the following
Toyota Camry 2.4V

at P 1,646,000; P 1,661,000 (White Pearl Mica)
DOHC 2.4L 16V 167hp 224NM of Torque and 1515kg curb weight

Subaru Legacy

at P 1,490,000
DOHC 2.0L 16V 165hp 165NM of Torque and 1415kg curb weight

Nissan Teana 230JK

at P 1,580,000
DOHC 2.3L 24V V6 173hp 231NM of Torque and 1450kg curb weight

Mitsubishi Galant 240M

at P 1,580,000
DOHC 2.4L 16V 162hp 219NM of Torque and 1351kg curb weight

Honda Accord VTi-L

at P 1,470,000
DOHC 2.4L 16V 170hp 220NM of Torque and 1475kg curb weight

in luxury and convenience features category, the Mazda6 are even better equipped than most of its mid size rivals for low as 275k(accord) less to as high as 451k(camry) savings. Only the Lumina is cheaper at 1.179M but is poorly speced and is obviously less capable than the 6... even the 2.4L Sonata is priced higher than the Mazda6.

now, that's really value for money.

*photos, specs and prices are from motioncars' carchart.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Ooops, sorry sir Jun

I think that is the photo for the flagship, at the moment, Impreza 2.5 WRX priced at 1.750M.

I just compared the Mazda6 to some top end compacts not by performance alone.

I agree. I test-drove the 3.0 V6 Mazda 6 a couple of years ago and despite being outperformed by a previous-gen Nissan Altima 3.5SE, the Mazda 6 was one of my favorites.

OT
I'd like to test drive a 2008 Impreza 2.5i sedan. I'm a patsy for dual exhausts (which I'm sure the Mazda 6 also has), not to mention the 2.5i's hp/torque of 170 hp/170 lb-ft (230 Nm).

[pup2]

Kung priority mo ay ride quality/luxury, mazda 6 is a good bet. Kaya lang madali din agad bababa resale niya simply because of the imminent release (though I wouldn't put too much emphasis on this) of the new model. Expect also to spend more on gas.For practicality (and fuel consumption) and performance -- Focus.For driving experience and pogi points -- Impreza. Hey -- it's hard to tell if it's a WRX, right?

[jonski]

Kaylan ba lalabas dito sa Philippines yung New Mazda6 and Subaru Impreza?

[istan]

Lumabas na ang Subie Impreza. Suggest you guys test drive the manual tranny edition. AT doesn't really have enough grunt. Long gears and such...

I'm choosing what car to buy too. The Subie Impreza MT or Tucson or Mazda 6. Choices choices..so hard...

[suv]

Sa dami ng ka-kompetensya ng mazda 6 eh magigign kulelat yan sa sales....

Magiging kagaya yan ng nung mazda 626 dati

[kyle618]

heres my semi bias opinion haha

id still pick the mazda 6 even if the new one is coming. pick it if you are planning to keep it for a long time (resale value is not that good kasi which i knew b4 we purchased it). just test drove the focus diesel this afternoon, yes it is very grunty and torquey but like any lazy bum, i want my A/T for my daily driver so if they put an A/T on the diesel then maybe id consider it but the interior of the focus is horrible = very plasticky (the 6 has a better interior but it also has it share of plastic stuff just not as pronounce as the focus). hw bout the mazda 3 u say? i did consider the 3R b4 but with the price of the 6 at just 1.195m (i got it for 1.275m last july) konting dagdag na lang and u get a bigger better looking car. civic? i love the power and the paddleshifters but heck, i simply hate the seats (especially the driver and front passenger seat) and thats very important to me.

i havent had the time to test drive the subbie yet but im sure it'll be a nice ride albeit a bit slow compared to the focus diesel which won on a drag race against the subbie.

[Jun aka Pekto]

MAzda 6 164hp/3179lbs = 1:19
Honda Civic 155hp/2833lbs = 1:18
Focus 143hp/3023lbs 1:21
Mazda 3 145hp/2844lbs = 1:20
Impreza 2.0 150hp/3009lbs = 1:20

Which is the quickest among the above? I'd say the Civic based on the hp to weight ratio.

What's more interesting is the 4-banger Mazda 6 doesn't look like it's at a big disadvantage.

___________________________________

Other cars for comparison:

08 Impreza WRX 224hp/3142lbs = 1:14
08 Honda Civic Si Sedan 197hp/2945lbs = 1:15
07 Mazda 6 V6 212hp/3395lbs = 1:16
And my own for good measure ....06 Sonata V6 235hp/3458lbs = 1:15

Just for comparison of relative acceleration time indicators, The Civic Si and my own car are quite close which lines up relatively with hp to weight ratio. Of course there are other factors such as transmission, gear ratio, and torque. The Mazda 6 V6 M/T is a hair quicker than mine despite having less hp and the WRX is the quickest of all cars I mentioned here. But, the hp to weight ratio is pretty good for a first look.