Compare the2022 Lexus ISVS 2021 Mazda 6

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The IS’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Lexus IS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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 IS 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.

The IS offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the IS and the Mazda 6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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

	IS	Mazda 6
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41%	53%
Neck Compression	81 lbs.	107 lbs.

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, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Mazda 6:

	IS	Mazda 6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	99	154
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	193 G’s	256 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	356
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	64 G’s

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

Warranty

The IS 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 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.

The IS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Mazda 6’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS third among compact premium 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 Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 14th.

Engine

The IS has more powerful engines than the Mazda 6:

	Horsepower	Torque
IS 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	241 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	260 HP	236 lbs.-ft.
IS 350 F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	311 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8	472 HP	395 lbs.-ft.
Mazda 6 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP	186 lbs.-ft.
Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP	320 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

	IS	6
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	6.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	14.7 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

The IS has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Mazda 6 (17.4 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 6.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	IS	IS 500	Mazda 6	Mazda 6 Turbo
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	14 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	12.7 inches	10.9 inches	10.9 inches

The IS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Mazda 6 are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the Mazda 6:

	IS	Mazda 6
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the Mazda 6 (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R17). The IS 350 F Sport/500’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 6 (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/55R17).

The IS 300’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 IS 350 F Sport/500’s 235/40R19 front and 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS 300 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 6 Sport.

Suspension and Handling

The IS offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Mazda 6’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the Mazda 6’s (60% to 40%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Grand Touring pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Mazda 6 Touring (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Mazda 6’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.7 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Mazda 6’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

Chassis

The IS is 7.3 inches shorter than the Mazda 6, making the IS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The IS has 2.6 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room and .5 inches more rear hip room than the Mazda 6.

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS 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 IS. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The IS uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mazda 6 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Mazda 6. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The IS 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 Lexus service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 53% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition, the IS offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The IS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Mazda 6 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the IS 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 Lexus service department.) The driver of the Mazda 6 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The IS’ power window, power lock and power mirror 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.

Consumer Reports rated the IS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda 6’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS’ 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 IS with available tilt-down mirrors 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.

Both the IS and the Mazda 6 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the IS has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because it costs $43 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the IS than the Mazda 6, including $33 less for front brake pads and $80 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus IS and the Mazda 6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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