Compare the2022 Lexus ESVS 2021 Mazda 6

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
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 ES 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 Lexus ES 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 ES 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 ES 250 AWD has 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 ES 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 ES is safer than the Mazda 6:

	ES	Mazda 6
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	130
Neck Stress	239 lbs.	266 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	33%	53%
Neck Compression	62 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus ES is safer than the Mazda 6:

	ES	Mazda 6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	85	154
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	160 G’s	256 G’s
Hip Force	264 lbs.	437 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	300	356
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	64 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	36 G’s
Hip Force	570 lbs.	671 lbs.

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

Warranty

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the ES second 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 ES has more powerful engines than the Mazda 6:

	Horsepower
ES 250 AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	203 HP
ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	215 HP
ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6	302 HP
Mazda 6 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP
Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Mazda 6 4 cyl.:

	ES	6
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	9.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.2 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	17.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	86 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
ES
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/44 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
Mazda 6
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the ES Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the ES Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

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

The ES 300h 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	ES	6
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.9 inches

The ES stops shorter than the Mazda 6:

	ES	Mazda 6
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 6 (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R17).

The ES 350 F Sport’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.

Suspension and Handling

The ES offers an available 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Mazda 6 (113 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

Passenger Space

The ES has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear hip room than the Mazda 6.

Cargo Capacity

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the ES’ power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The ES 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.

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

The ES’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the ES and the Mazda 6 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the ES 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 ES 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 ES’ 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.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The ES’ 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 ES 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 ES and the Mazda 6 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the ES 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.

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

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ES is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because typical repairs cost less on the ES than the Mazda 6, including $128 less for fuel injection and $64 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

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

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