Compare the2022 Honda AccordVS 2021 Mazda 6

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

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Accord Sport 2.0T/Sport SE/EX-L/Touring are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Honda Accord 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Accord deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Accord’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Mazda 6’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Compared to metal, the Accord’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 Accord 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, rear parking sensors 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 Honda Accord is safer than the Mazda 6:

	Accord	Mazda 6
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	23%	23%
Neck Stress	184 lbs.	266 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	53%
Neck Compression	54 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 Honda Accord is safer than the Mazda 6:

	Accord	Mazda 6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	140	154
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	152 G’s	256 G’s
Hip Force	431 lbs.	437 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	62 G’s	64 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	242	271
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	36 G’s

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

Warranty

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 17th in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

Engine

The Accord’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (192 vs. 187) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 186) than the Mazda 6’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda Accord 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda 6 4 cyl.:

	Accord	6
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	9.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	17.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	86 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

		MPG
Accord
	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
	Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/35 hwy
Mazda 6
	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Accord 1.5T’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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Accord 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.

The Accord has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Accord 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 6.

The Accord 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

The Accord stops much shorter than the Mazda 6:

	Accord	Mazda 6
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Accord Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 6 (235/40R19 vs. 225/55R17).

The Accord’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 6 Sport’s standard 55 series tires. The Accord Sport/Touring’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 45 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Accord 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.

The Accord’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Accord is .2 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the Mazda 6.

The Accord Sport handles at .90 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Signature pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Accord Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Mazda 6 Touring (26.4 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The Honda Accord may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 300 pounds less than the Mazda 6.

The front grille of the Accord Sport SE/EX-L uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Accord EX-L is quieter than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring:

	Accord	6
At idle	39 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	78 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Accord a Large car, while the Mazda 6 is rated a Mid-size.

The Accord has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda 6 (105.6 vs. 99.8).

The Accord has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 6.

Cargo Capacity

The Accord has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 6 (16.7 vs. 14.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Accord easier. The Accord’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the Mazda 6’s liftover is 28.3 inches.

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

Towing

The Accord 2.0L Turbo offers up to a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Mazda 6 has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Accord EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system 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.

If the windows are left open on the Accord 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.

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

When the Accord Touring 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Accord EX-L/Sport 2.0T/Touring has a standard 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 Accord is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because it costs $298 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Accord than the Mazda 6, including $29 less for front brake pads, $77 less for fuel injection and $130 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2021 issue and they ranked the Honda Accord EX-L first. They ranked the Mazda 6 Carbon Edition fifth.

The Accord was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 25 of the last 27 years. The Mazda 6 hasn’t been picked since 2015.

The Accord 2.0T Sport was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2018. The Mazda 6 has never been an “All Star.”

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Accord as the 2018 North American Car of the Year. The Mazda 6 has never been chosen.

The Honda Accord outsold the Mazda 6 by over 11 to one during the 2021 model year.