Compare the2022 Toyota CorollaVS 2021 Mazda 6

The Toyota Corolla has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the Corolla’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda 6 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Corolla and the Mazda 6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Mazda 6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Mazda 6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 6.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corolla second among compact cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Mazda 6 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mazda is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla gets better mileage than the Mazda 6:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Mazda 6 (3 to 7). This means the Corolla produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mazda 6 every 15,000 miles.

The Corolla offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Corolla has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Corolla stops much shorter than the Mazda 6:

The Corolla SE/XSE’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 45 series tires.

The Corolla Apex handles at .89 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Signature pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Corolla’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Mazda 6’s (35.6 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Toyota Corolla may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the Mazda 6.

The Corolla is 10.4 inches shorter than the Mazda 6, making the Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Corolla Apex is quieter than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring (77 vs. 80 dB).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Corolla easier. The Corolla’s trunk lift-over height is 27.1 inches, while the Mazda 6’s liftover is 28.3 inches.

The power windows standard on both the Corolla and the Mazda 6 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 6 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Mazda 6 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Corolla XLE/XSE offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Mazda 6 isn’t available as a four door hatchback or wagon.

The Corolla will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corolla will retain 52.08% to 53.88% of its original price after five years, while the Mazda 6 only retains 48.13% to 50.43%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corolla is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because it costs $253 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Corolla than the Mazda 6, including $36 less for front brake pads, $236 less for fuel injection, $74 less for a fuel pump, $51 less for front struts and $49 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Corolla will be $4072 to $7886 less than for the Mazda 6.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Mazda 6 by almost 16 to one during the 2021 model year.