Compare the2022 Acura ILXVS 2021 Mazda 6

Compared to metal, the ILX’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 ILX 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 Acura ILX 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 Acura ILX is safer than the Mazda 6:

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

The Acura ILX has a better fatality history. The ILX was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 15% lower per vehicle registered than the Mazda 6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The ILX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 6’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the ILX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the 6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Mazda 6 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the ILX second among small premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Mazda 6 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

The ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (201 vs. 187) than the Mazda 6’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura ILX is faster than the Mazda 6 4 cyl.:

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Acura ILX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 6.

The ILX offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the ILX’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 6:

The ILX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 6 Sport’s standard 55 series tires. The ILX A-SPEC’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 45 series tires.

The ILX A-SPEC handles at .83 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Signature pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Acura ILX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Mazda 6.

The ILX is 10.5 inches shorter than the Mazda 6, making the ILX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the ILX offers cargo security. The Mazda 6’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the ILX. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The ILX has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Mazda 6 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 25% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

If the windows are left open on the ILX 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. The driver of the Mazda 6 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The ILX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Mazda 6’s power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The ILX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

When the ILX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Mazda 6’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ILX is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because it costs $225 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the ILX than the Mazda 6, including $3 less for a muffler, $17 less for front brake pads, $62 less for fuel injection and $108 less for a timing belt/chain.