2019 Mazda 6 vs Honda Accord

Browsing the market for a new sedan is not exactly an easy task since there are still quite a few good models getting put out each year. This year, two of those top-notch models are the 2019 Mazda 6 and and the 2019 Honda Accord. Each one has a lot of good things going for it, but is one a better deal than the other?

Conducting research prior to even taking a test drive can help buyers make their decision a bit more effectively. There are a lot of pros to these cars, but the cons should also be noted. So, with that being said, here are the details on the 2019 Honda Accord and Mazda 6, broken down by powertrain, drivability, and safety factors.

The Powertrain

First off, it is important to pay attention to the differences in powertrain options. While these vehicles both host some good powertrains, there are some deviations between them. The Mazda 6 and Honda Accord are fuel efficient vehicles, but the Honda Accord wins out by a few miles per gallon, getting up to 30 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway.

So, what makes the powertrains different on these two sedans? The 2019 Mazda 6's base trim, known as the Sport, is powered by a 2.5-L 4-cylinder engine that generates 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine gets paired up with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The second trim level up (the Touring) is also powered by this powertrain combo.

If more power is desired, then the Grand Touring trim has it in the form of a beefed-up, turbocharged version of the 2.5-L. This garners either 227 hp (if the vehicle is pumped with non-premium fuel) or 250 hp (on premium fuel) and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Now, the 2019 Honda Accord is powered by smaller engines, but the way that they are configured puts out quite a bit of strength. There is a 1.5-L 4-cylinder that comes standard on all but the Touring trim level. It is matched up with a continuously variable automatic transmission (otherwise known as a CVT) and generates 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.

Drivers do have the option of getting a turbo 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission on the EX-L and Sport trims. It comes standard on the line-topping touring trim. This little powerhouse puts up 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.

Which is better? Honestly, these are all good engine options. However, if one has to emerge victorious, it is the 1.5-L turbo engine on the Honda Accord. Its snappy response time, coupled with its excellent fuel economy, make it stiff competition for every other vehicle in this class. But the Mazda 6's engines come close.

Drivability

Getting a vehicle with a well-rounded driving performance is important, of course, and a lot of various aspects factor into what makes a car feel cozy. Most obviously, there is the way that its mechanical parts perform their duties. But seat comfort, spaciousness, and the functionality of tech features all play into the overall experience.

And the 2019 Mazda 6 does not disappoint. When it comes to the 6's driving performance, it is really enjoyable. The vehicle can get from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.7 seconds, which is about average for its class. It isn't as punchy as might be expected, but it is certainly not sluggish.

The brakes are the only real downfall when it comes to how the 6 drives. While the brakes are responsive to pedal pressure and have enough firmness in the pedal, a stopping distance of 129 feet (from 60 to 0 mph) is a bit longer than some competitors.

Steering and handling, though, are superb. Lower-speed steering does take a little bit of effort since the 6 has some of the heaviest steering for this class. However, at higher speeds, it feels nearly effortless and is well-centered. Handling is where the 6 really shines. No corner is too wide or too narrow; the 6 can smoothly and safely navigate all of them without any mid-corner bumps or body roll.

The 2019 Honda Accord might not be as speedy as the 6 (clocking in at 8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph), but the way the power is distributed feels strong and smooth. The brakes are as sturdy and responsive as those on the 6, but they have a slightly better stopping distance of roughly 122 feet when applying the brakes at 60 mph.

Steering is where the Accord struggles, but only barely. The reason for this is that the steering just feels a bit feigned. It is responsive and pretty predictable, but the Accord seems to not gauge the car's real center with perfection. Handling is fantastic, especially with the Touring's multilink adaptive suspension. It takes all kinds of turns with confidence and doesn't produce body roll.

Of course, interior comfort matters, and both the 6 and the Accord pack in quite a bit. The Mazda 6's strong suit when it comes to the cabin are the seats. Padded to perfection, the backs and seat bottoms are well-cushioned for lateral and lumbar support. The standard sport-tuned suspension, however, makes the ride feel kind of stiff. Some wind and road noise also seep in, and air does not move as efficiently through the vents as it could in order to heat or cool the whole cabin.

The Accord, for the most part, is cozy enough. The leather seats can be a bit stiff, so it is better to stick with cloth. The vehicle does get touchy over really rough pavement but otherwise gives a smooth ride. Of course, on the Touring, the adaptive dampers are able to smooth out almost everything, thereby improving the ride quality even more.

Tire noise will become obvious when the car is taken up to speed on the highway, and a little bit of road noise gets in too. However, in the city, the cabin remains muted and relaxing. It is certainly much quieter than the cabins of other competitors in its class.

The Accord's climate control system is, on the whole, more effective than that on the Mazda 6. The air distributes more evenly and flows out more rapidly. The controls are easy to use and are all clearly marked. The heated seats feel nice, but ventilation is only so-so on the Touring trim.

The overall interior designs are quite pleasant. The Mazda 6 is not as spacious as the cavernous Accord, but it is certainly adequate. The 6 is very user-friendly with its controls, and getting in and out is easy thanks to its wide door sills. Taller folks might have to duck to get into the rear, but up front, anyone can enter without bonking their heads. The front pillars are somewhat thick and do slightly hamper the view, but the driver can easily find a good driving position inside of the cockpit. And, as far as quality goes, there is no shoddy workmanship to be found.

The Accord is similar in its construction. The controls are easy to figure out, and getting into the front is super easy. But, again, rear passengers who are tall will have to stoop a little bit. Quality is unquestionably high when it comes to the materials, and, as was already mentioned, the cabin is one of the most spacious in its class. Also, visibility is fantastic thanks to slender roof pillars and a wide windshield. The standard rear-view camera is handy for backing out of tight spots too.

There are many high-tech creature comforts to be found inside of both the Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord. The Mazda 6 has a standard rotary knob-controlled 8-inch touchscreen display, a 6-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth connectivity. A head-up display accompanies the Grand Touring trim level, and the line-topping Signature trim gets a built-in navigation system. Some of the navigational functions aren't quite intuitive, though, so there is a learning curve that comes with it.

When the prompts for the Mazda 6's voice recognition and control system are followed, the features work well. In a lot of vehicles, this is not the case. This burgeoning technology can be difficult to use, but Mazda simplifies it with a series of simple on-screen commands.

Likewise, the 2019 Honda Accord is equipped with a wide array of user-friendly tech gadgets. In years past, the infotainment system was a particularly annoying problem on all Honda makes and models, but the automaker has definitely stepped their game up for 2019. This model year's infotainment system is easy to navigate and is smoothly integrated with the head-up display and instrument gauge cluster.

The LX's 4-speaker sound system works well, but upgrading to the Sport gets you the 8-inch touchscreen and a sweet 8-speaker sound system. The EX-L gets a 10-speaker system, and the Touring trim level adds WiFi hot spot connectivity and a wireless charger. Drivers can sync up with their phone apps using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and this system works without any glitches or confusion. Voice control is the only weak spot left in Honda's infotainment technology, as it can take quite a while to get the system to comprehend simple prompts.

While it is a tough call between the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord in terms of drivability, the Honda just barely nabs the top spot due to its massive cabin size (which is also very utilitarian in nature), vastly improved infotainment system, and well-rounded ride comfort and quality.

Safety

Safety is always a concern for drivers, especially when shopping for a new vehicle. Will this new vehicle have great safety ratings? How effectively will certain safety features work? Will they be more of a distraction than a help? Well, fret not with the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6 - both are highly regarded as safe vehicles. But which one trumps the other?

The new Mazda 6 has a slew of handy features, such as its adaptive front lighting system. This system aids drivers in seeing at night while making turns by adjusting low beams in accordance with steering. There is also a traffic sign recognition feature that helps drivers spot and adhere to traffic signs. The vehicle's Smart Brake Support can also be of assistance when a front-end crash might occur.

As far as safety ratings go, the Mazda 6 was given 5/5 stars overall from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (also known as NHTSA), with only Front Barrier Crash - Passenger and Rollover tests getting 4/5 stars. The risk of a rollover was 10.3%.

Honda, of course, is basically synonymous with safety. Therefore, it is no small wonder that the 2019 Accord is loaded with useful driver aids like a blind spot monitoring system, a standard rear-view camera, a collision mitigation system, and adaptive cruise control. These features all tend to work without issue and are becoming sensible to equip on new vehicles.

The Accord also has stellar safety ratings. It was given 5/5 stars on every test by the NHTSA and, naturally, was given an overall safety rating of 5 stars. The rollover risk was only 9.3%. ALso, the IIHS (an acronym for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety) assigned the Accord "good" marks on all conducted tests.

Numbers speak volumes, and the number of stars awarded to the Honda are very telling. This vehicle wins out in the safety arena, although the Mazda 6 also scored well enough for a vehicle in this class.

Which Has the Best Value?

When comparing the 2019 Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord, making the choice on which one to get boils down to which one offers the best deal. Price-wise, these two vehicles are basically the same, with starting MSRPs in the $23,000 range. The higher trim levels get up to about $35,000.

Drivers longing for fuel efficiency will likely choose the Accord over the Mazda 6, but there are other things that make the Accord have a slightly better value than the 6. The ride quality on the Accord is also modestly better than on the Mazda 6.

Which is Better?

In the end, choosing between the 2019 Honda Accord and the 2019 Mazda 6 will be a tough call for a lot of buyers. Those who are brand loyal to Honda will stick with the Accord and are well within reason to do so. While he Mazda 6 comes off as a little bit sportier, the Honda Accord is just a tad more well-rounded and definitely more spacious. Buying a mid-level Accord can get buyers a ton of bang for their bucks.