Mazda6 is out today, I saw the 2.5L car in Penang this morning and it look gorgeous!

Can anybody share their test drive experience of the Mazda6 and Accord, whether Mazda6 really offers better driving experience than Accord? (reviews in UK think Mazda6 is comparable to BMW 3 series!)

first post, i think mazda 6 looks more sporty and honda looks more classy and elegant.

agree with u.. :


Mazda 6 2.5 SL


VS

Honda Accord 2.4

Thats the older version of honda accord...

I think TS mean the Latest version of Honda accord la not this... The one new on the road now...

sorry2.. this one >>

Maybe you could buy this month Top Gear Malaysia to know much more about new Mazda 6. But from my reading tells the interior sucks...

i've always wondered by the prev mazda6 didn't manage to do well here...? hopefully this version can grab some market share from toyota & honda!

not like the accord will fare very much better than mazda 6 in this field, esp made in msia one

Yeah, the reviews of the new Mazda6 been given since months before from Autocar and this month TopGear.

The results were same, exterior, handling, engine were all made of win. But, the interior fails the car.

accord rulezzzzzzzzzzzzzz

FIXED



This post has been edited by Onso: May 8 2008, 03:06 PM

ugly, too many lights
too glaring

much better than accord super bulky mid console
look futuristic

Too much colors..

fine for me anyway
simple and elegant

this is a honda accord, not maserati, you know?

This post has been edited by andyjyneo: May 8 2008, 03:23 PM

mazda 6 2.5 but lower power than 2.4 accord rite, i have read article 2 months ago.
mazda 6 is more on youth or younger.... i dun think 40+ businessman will go into mazda 6.
anyway, i have seen the mazda 6 interior, it was cool.
anyone know about the sellling price of mazda 6?

if your going for youth,pick the mazda..
but if ur going for the exec fell, then go for accord

i'd choose the accord over mazda anyday.

i'll go for mazda

same
accord rulezzzzzzzz

do u have pictures of it?

from wat i understand from mazda, first batch 2.5 all oledi kena sapu... left 2.0... and the salesman said 2.0 only got 2 colors black and dark blue... i have sat into the 2.0 one, interior wise depends on individual expectation and taste, to me i like a compact design and i feel the ones in mazda 6 quite appealing to me... exterior wise 2.5 one looks better...

we have alot of honda fanboys in this forum, anything NOT made by honda will be ugly la, glaring la
anything from honda, eventhough the quality is abit low rent, they will call it elegant

sport based dashboard eg: current civic, maserati, *insert sport car name*, etc..
they can be elegant too u know?

Lol.. what are you talking about? Honda fanboys should LOVE the new Mazda 6 cause it has the Bengness added to it now.

i'm one of honda fan... i love accord, but did i bash camry?
if you really read, you can see i compare camry and accord in terms of quality, performance, price, etc
i'm biased, but still in comparison, i'm not biased

back to the topic
just take a look at the dashboard meter
doesn't it look glaring, just like iswara meter?

accord belongs to luxury class (in MY)
do we really need fancy mid console?
so i guess you're trying to implement ahbeng style of dashboard in accord?

srry but where is the bengness in the new mazda? not even stock honda has any of it...

price, they're not much off between them, quality, IMO japanese' interior still needs improvement(most of them, except lexus) in quality(i didnt mean they'll fall apart, but it doesnt feel luxurious enough)

anyways, im not a fan of fancy console either, the picture looks glaring because its a photography, its best that you sit inside both cars and compare, instead of comparing via the pictures
im slightly biased to the mazda 6 based on their outlook, but i dare not comment anything about the interior yet cuz i havent sit in one, i've driven both camry and accord, there's nothing much to shout about in those two cars IMO, they're just a very comfy and big family commuter

also about the performance, the 2.5l is down on power, but its around 100odd kilos lighter, that equals to a well built driver, or two chicks

i hate to admit that quality, comfort and reliability wise, camry (vs accord) is better
toyota is always better in QC

accord only wins in price, performance and maybe FC wise, so far...

This post has been edited by andyjyneo: May 8 2008, 09:34 PM

love thy accord for re-sale value.

Test drove the Honda Accord 2.4.Really below expectations lah...Nothing great or captivating about the car.Its just another honda.2.4 engine felt sluggish and not willing to go.This is after flooring it on a nice piece of straight road....

the 6 rides and handles better than the accord or camry.. quality wise, i don't know.. but surely the 6 wins in the design department..

the reason mazda is not selling well here is because the dealership, after sales & service.. and.. the fact that malaysians prefer the 'T' and 'H' badges over anything else.

if you prefer european car but for whatever reason chose not to own it,
then mazda is the best subsitute

i agree with ppl saying the 6 looks sporty and the honda more to the elegant luxury side

Can elaborate more on this?
Do you mean Mazda6 is more comfortable inside in terms of riding, NVH (quietness), and handling than Accord?

I like the outlook of the Mazda, but I'm not buying a car for the outlook only. Resale value, aftermarket support, parts availability, skilled technicians who can diagnose issues if it ever occurs, wide 3S network etc.

Apart from the looks, the Mazda has nothing that even comes close to the Honda.

OMG
this is the real interior ??
so arcade like

omg..is that really the interior of new mazda6? so ah beng..

i don't think it looks like this la....it doesn't suite the car at all...

thats the first generation 6, dun mislead people mate.

anyway, will u choose a 17x car that is made in thailand over made in japan?

i'd choose a car which holds and retains as much value over time......therefore its not a mazda. at middle age, money is very important and therefore to cutback as much losses as possible, u often go for cars which retain as much resale value as possible. maintanence wise, both are bout similar.

its all bout the money !

seems new accrod on the road and Madza6 at the show room at the road side...

both also very nice.

these days just because the company is from japan doesn't mean the car is design in japan, or by Japanese. like the 2008 Accord, the design comes from Honda design centers in Italy, Germany, Japan and the United States.

anyone know wat is the selling price for mazda 6?

does the mazda cars have reliability issues like they do long time ago?

i didnt say anything about their interior design or whatsoever, im talking about their material quality
touch the inside of an audi and you'll understand the 'quality feeling' im talking about

the interior is very well put together, but it just doesnt give you the 'this is an executive saloon' kind of quality feeling

The all new honda accord

Mazda is unique !

Mazda is awesome !

Mazda is Hor Liao !

look at the happiness value,
when you get a car, if you love it so much, why bother about the resale value? if you intend to get a car and sell it the next 1 yr, i rather be taking the public transport and save the money for the car u want.

to me what matter most is the bang for the bucks element. i will not get anything at that price which is made in thailand with so much problem trail eg. the new civic.

How expensive is Mazda's maintenance compared to H and T? I think after sales service and total cost of ownership is buyers' major concern with Mazda Malaysia.

Please convince us that we will have trouble free car maintenance after Berjaya takes over -- no close shop after 3 years we purchase!

and what if u can hv both happiness and resale value?
no matter what car..how nice it is.. after several yrs it will looks boring..and u'll start eyeing on other car

sigh, this is turning into another battle of the fanboyism...
My car has this , that car lacks that.. blah blah blah...

Just agree that some people like Mazda, some like Honda... and some just like alfas and fiats.

I like all of them. My wallet don't like any of them

LOL, how old are you??

good for KL people
but what about small town people like us?

I think Honda's resale value is better than Mazda though.

alot of people have your quotes in them. u''re either very young and foolish, or u're extremely wealthy to be saying that. dont need to reply further as u can read the rest of the comments on your own.

i strongly agreed on this as long as buy a car that we afford and desire definitely wont be regret

fine, i agree with your resale part since i'm driving an accord, which inherited from my dad
my accord is 16 years old soon
don't ever forget that spare parts for an old car is hard to find, moreover a mazda

2008 Accord and 2008 Mazda is hard to find spare part in first 10 years

WTH of my Lantis kia looking for spare part DIY loh

I read some reviews that new mazda6 interior is very quiet, anybody knows whether it is more quiet than a Camry? Accord sure out la, so noisy

i will go for mazda 6~
hehe

So this is the new Mazda 6 we will get at Malaysia?

it seem like the rear seat headroom is sacrifice to make the car look better. . .

omg i'm in love...help~

went to see the new accord in pavilion last week, hmmmm, the overall build quality is definitely good, but the dashboard design is err.....so many buttons! so complicated!

I am omage, not omg, ok?

the picture seem like it is a 5 door hatchback version, not the sedan version. . .

I think that's US version, not malaysia version

Wow, mazda 6 interior like transformer leh.
but i wil go for honda accord 2008

that's very true...

i personally is a fan of Mazda and would take the 6 over the Accord but that is not saying Accord is a bad car. I drove the 2008 2.4 Accord 2 weeks back and its a good one.

Taste and preference is a personal thing. The Accord interior look up-to-date with the large LCD and those funky buttons/switches design but i prefer something more conventional. There are things about the 6 interior that i would prefer otherwise but i think i'll be more comfy in the 6.

Exterior wise, i prefer sporty so i go for 6. Accord does look elegant. There are things that i don't agree about the 6 exterior too like the oversize/oddly shaped fog lamp insert...!!! The euro design looks more pleasing to me. The Accord nose is a no-no to me. something about recent Honda nose i dun agree. Civic, Accord and CRV... again its a personally thing. the Accord with Modulo kit looks better but that add RM5k into the list price.

Issue with Mazda is the distributorship. the previous distributor lives in a fantasy world. hopefully BerMaz can do something good.

in the end... you own the car. you go test the car and decide. get one that suit you the most.

Hi All !

I test drove both the Mazda 6 2.5L and Accord 2.4L back-to-back on Sunday. Spent 1.5 hours in each showroom

Instead of writing a lengthy review, I'll encourage questions from you guys instead

Cheers




This post has been edited by different_view: May 13 2008, 09:59 AM

Eh friend, come on la, give some first impression feedback first!

1. Engine performance?
2. Ride comfort? performance over bumps?
3. NVH level?

Hi Klangboy,

1. Engine performance:
Outright Power to weight ratio, the Accord wins (180ps/1525kg = 0.1180 Vs. 170ps/1469kg = 0.1157).
BUT, the M6 Torque is 226 and kicks in at 4000 rpm whereby the Accord is 222 at 4300 rpm (plus weight penalty)

Starting off the line the M6 feels more urgent. Definitely very snappy off the start.
The Accord on the other hand feels less powerful off the line but you get smoother (albeit slower) power delivery.

I got to test the M6 around federal Hwy and the Accord to Putrajaya Hwy. Both with clear traffic and managed to reach 140 km/h on each car.

0-40 km/h, the M6 feels faster (a little bit) but past 100km/h the Accord still has plenty in reserve. The Accord power kicks in at preety high rpm 6500 + ... so you really have to drive with a lead foot to see all 180ps.

2. Ride Comfort
M6 definitely is the sportier (harsher) ride. Steering is heavy at high speed (good) and you feel lots of feed back from the road in terms of both steering feel and vibration. Tyre noise is also more apparent. But all these adds to the sportier experience when you consider the body hugging bucket seats, small steering wheel, various noises and feedback.

Accord has a more balanced ride (Between Camry's soft, almost floaty ride and M6 Sporty ride). Off the line and at low speed, the Accord behaves like a 5-series (My dad has one 525i so I drive it quite a bit). As you pick up speed, the Accord feels just sporty enough without sacrificing comfort. It also feels a lot smaller than its size suggest (which is always a good thing). Comfortable bucket-like seat (side support all the way up your side torso), small diameter steering wheel, slight tyre rumble and low seating (i think you seat lower in the Accord than the M6) all adds to the sporty experience.

Both cars were tested with 4 ppl (3 of whom sat in both cars, the salesman being the only variable). All rear seat passengers agree that the Accord is a more comfortable place in the back. Lots of space (Much more leg and headroom), large seats, and more comfortable overall. Front passenger gives similar feedback.

Performance over bumps. Unfortunately, i tested both cars on the Hwy. No bumps i could recall. Over the speed bumps that we come across, the Accord is much smoother over it and quieter too.

3. NVH Level
In terms of cabin insulation from tyre noise and wind noise, the Accord is noticeably better than the M6. However, the accord engine noise intrudes more into the cabin than the M6. Moreover, the M6 engine sounds better so i think i got less irritated by it than the Accord's

The accord sales man suggested trading in the stock tyres for Michelin ones

More specific questions ?

Cheers

I test drove the 2.5L Mazda 6 last week...

1. Keyless entry and start button - kewl factor
2. Front/Rear parking sensor
3. Bose premium audio - 8 speakers
4. Gorgeous-looking meter console
5. Fully-loaded multi-function steering wheel
6. 18" sports rim standard
7. CBU quality
8. Quiet interior... very roomy and spacious
9. Electric power steering - no more power sapping from hydraulic ones, gain 5hp
10. Full leather seats - fully imported also

Overall, 8/10.

2 weeks back, I test drove the new Honda Accord 2.4L and below are the comments.

1. No keyless entry and start button - boo!
2. Rear parking sensor
3. Unknown audio - 7 speakers
4. Plain-looking meter console
5. Fully-loaded multi-function steering wheel
6. 17" sports rim standard
7. CKD quality w/ minor QC problems
8. Quiet interior... very roomy and spacious
9. Hydraulic power steering - outdated liao!
10. Full leather seats - local ones

Overall, 7/10.

Both command the same price but Mazda 6 gives more for less money. However, if u add RM 6k for Modulo bodykit to Accord, price will be close to RM 180k already and still CKD.

If u have driven a CBU car for many years, CKD will be a turn off.

I've driven mostly CBU ranging from Mitsubishi Galant Super Saloon, Kia Carnival ('02 model), Toyota Harrier 3.0 and smart forfour 1.5 and all 4 cars never disappoints.

Nice review for the above 2 post. . .

Noobs Mazda still not yet update thier website http://www.mazda.com.my/ about the new Mazda 6. . .

well that's alway been the problem with Mazda distributor here. they are not well all-rounded. however, for a start BerMaz is showing some seriousness with 4 model "press-intro" recently.

BTW, i think i read in MotorTrader's forum that the 4 models are not "properly" launched yet. The event they held recently was a "BerMaz-meet-the-press" kinda arrangement.

Just to add to the features comparison list

M6

1. HID (Bi-Xenon) Headlights with auto leveling and auto cornering (lights move when cornering)
2. Must put gear in to sequential mode before paddle shift is activated (very irritating during test drive)
3. Only one mode sequential (i.e. no over ride mode). Sequential allows for engine braking
4. Parking sensor is after market (albeit claimed to be fully imported). Sensor display sticks out on the dashboard and looks VERY cheap and out of place. On the upside, cheapo display shows distance for BOTH front and rear.
5. No auto lock feature ! (Despite having smart key less entry ?)
6. Bose Premium sound system
7. Seat memory ! (Although not connected to side mirror )
8. Made in Japan ... (Parts also made in Japan, the JPY has been very strong recently ... you know what that means !)
9. Full LED tail lights (albeit a bit busy in design just like the RX-8 and M3 MPS).
10. Dual Exhaust
11. RM 3,770 More
12. White and Silver ONLY (Black coming in SEPT). This was a big let down for me.
13. Electric Sunroof. Some reports of LEAKING starting to emerge. Lots of issue with RX-8's sunroof. Also I question the suitability for Msian weather.
14. Not sure
15. Not sure
16. Very sporty instrument display hooded by nice circular consoles (ala RX-8/Mazda3/911). HOWEVER, unlike the other cars, the opening in the steering wheel is not large enough. As a result, adjusting tilt and telescopic on the wheel will more than likely BLOCK the view into the dials ! I think it was a poor ergonomic overlook on Mazda's part.
17. No rear power sunshade
18. Very small trip meter display (same as mazda 3). They came up with an integrated so called CF-Net system. Basically you can control most functions (eg. aircon fan speed and temp etc) through the steering wheel. Great concept, but the display is so narrow that you can only select functions left and right (Scroll type). Very fiddly and most likely to cause an accident IMO *sorry*.
19. Rain sensor wiper (nice feature)
20. 6 Airbags
21. Handbrake on the wrong side !!! (You have to reach across center console ... lol). Some things got lost in translation from LHD to RHD
22. Electric Power Steering


Accord

1. HID with auto leveling
2. Can drop gear on the fly with a touch of a button (faster response for overtaking)
3. 2 modes. Normal Drive mode with auto over-ride at high revs. Manual mode (No Over-ride). Also allows engine braking.
4. Parking sensor is built in. No front sensor though (of course we blokes don't really need any do we )
5. Auto lock door when certain speed is achieved. Simple but VERY useful.
6. Panasonic Premium sound system. I brought a CD along. They both sounded very similar on both test cars. Accord has IPod integration built in with a USB port.
7. No seat memory on 2.4L
8. Made in Melaka ! (Friend had lots of issue with Civic BUT my mum has the CRV (Yes that underpowered car ! hehehe) ... all I can say, exemplary built quality from Melaka.
9. 1 Miserable LED light (3rd light only ... "sigh")
10. Single Exhaust
11. RM 3,770 Less
12. Many colours (But NO WHITE !) hahaha ... we are hard to please !
13. No Sunroof
14. Remote Boot opening
15. Remote ALL window down feature
16. Big, round, silver-lined instrument dials. Very Executive looking (ala BMW 5 series) ... ie. Boring ! But at the same time, very functional and should age better.
17. Rear Power sunshade
18. Large and easy to read computer display. No nonsense steering buttons.
19. No Rain Sensor
20. 4 Airbags
21. Handbrake on right side (thank god no CRV foot brake !)
22. Hydraulic steering (NOT necessarily a bad thing since the new BMW M3 (amongst others) also uses hydraulic system). It all depends on how it's executed.


That's all I can think of right now.

Feel free to ask more specific questions or correct any mistakes I made.


Cheers

This post has been edited by different_view: May 13 2008, 05:01 PM

why compare M6 with accord?
BTW, accord is not meant for racing
it's only 2.0 and 2.4... why do we need twin piping for 2.x litre cars?

our handbrake is always on the left side
if right side, how to get out of the car?
what's wrong with footbrake anyway?

the new CR-V is not underpower as the previous gen

how much is the 1.8 and 2.0cc for the mazda 6

Hi,

We are comparing M6 with Accord simply because they are in the same price range and incidentally are being launched at around the same time.

Both cars are NOT meant for racing (Track days etc).

We don't NEED twin piping other than for (arguable) aesthetic purposes.

M6 handbrake is on the LHS of the center console (where the cup holders and gear lever is).
As such, the driver has to reach across almost to the edge of the front passenger seat side edge to use the handbrake.

Current CRV is not underpowered until you drive the 2.4L version (unfortunately not available in Msia ... yet)

Cheers

---

Added on May 13, 2008, 5:54 pmNo 1.8L for M6

The 2.0L M6 is RM147,913 On the road including insurance.

This post has been edited by different_view: May 13 2008, 05:58 PM

I will choose Mazda 6 for sure, better handling~!!!!

oh, the first thing comes to my mind when you think of M6 is BMW M6
that's why i'm wondering, why you're mentioning about BMW M6
LOL my bad

The Mazda6, they have 1.8diesel but i suppose they do not have it in malaysia. And when i read through the comparison, i think the writer is more on the Honda side than the Mazda. Try compare 2.0 with 2.0 and see the result. Overall for Mazda, the interior is far more complete with electronics while the accord is improved from the previous version.

I agree that the M6 (NOT the one with 507 BHP ... lol) handles better ... only just.

Managed to do some serious (for Msian roads standard, not test track) cornering during the test drive,

The M6 turns in faster into corners (only just). Considering the much bigger Accord, it too performs almost on par with the M6.
Both gets out of corners with plenty of power in reserve.

However, on most HWY trips (say KL to Ipoh), I suspect both drivers and passengers of the M6 will feel more exhausted than those sitting in the Accord.

The M6 is a SLIGHTLY better stop-go and zig-zag around traffic and around corners kind of car ... but the Accord is definitely the better long distance cruiser.



Cheers

hmm.. you were saying that by comparing the new accord with old m6? well my friend, do you know that they adjusted the sit to a more comfortable than the old m6? i read this from some article about the changes from the old m6 to this current version. Also, it is more comfortable for the driver as the steering is placed more upright.

Yups no diesel for Mazda 6. No hatch or wagon for that matter. Only 1 leather trim and 2 colours for each engine size.

I am not comparing the 2.0Ls because I am not planning to get any.

Having not tested the M6 2.0L, I can't comment much.

Although a quick glance at equipment list, the M6 2.0L is ahead of the Accord 2.0L (NOTE: The Accord 2.0L is 6k Cheaper).

I haven't decided which car to get (it will be one of those 2). Both are very good but built with different philosophy and purpose.

Hopefully with more discussion I can decide which will be most suitable for my needs


Cheers

---

Added on May 13, 2008, 6:54 pmAll of the comparison that I've made is between the 2008 Mazda 6 2.5L (NEW) and 2008 Honda Accord 2.4L (NEW).

This post has been edited by different_view: May 13 2008, 06:54 PM

OMG... just now spotted a Madza 6 purple light colour...

it's so damm pretty.

Managed to see the interior of the Honda 2008 over the weekend, and I must say that I was disappointed after all the rave reviews by friends. Really was expecting more. Hope to test drive soon. Haven't seen the M6 yet.

ahh.. ok good.. btw, you really need to try the madza6 and take it for a long distance if you really want to know the result that you conclude. And if you are looking for either one of the car, just keep it to yourself which you prefer and the budget you can afford. Nobody cant tell you how good is this, how good is that and ask you to choose the either one.

it's finally up to individual decision.

Yups ! At the end of the day it's up to moi

I've tested the Accord 3 times. The last one over 20 minutes drive at the Putrajaya HWY.

Tested the Mazda 6 for about 15 minutes around Fed Hwy and back.

Looking forward to test more of the Mazda 6 (they only have 3 dealership so must use my test drives opportunity sparingly hehehe)

hmmm

---

Added on May 14, 2008, 3:14 pm10bhp less RM7k more and roadtax higher.. izzit worth

if me i'll buy err.. i also in dilemma

This post has been edited by boyslove: May 14 2008, 03:23 PM

i prefer CBU than CKD melaka..so its a mazda...zoom zoom!!!

i got my sigi since Sept 07 and today i seen the Mazda6 in its full glory. Just as my sigi spanking shiny white.

the old 6 look best in its white 2.4 version but this new 6 just top it all. However, still can't get used to the oversize fog lamp insert. I think there is a market for Mazda if BerMaz can do it properly. All 2.5 6 sold out now. i have to say, the 2.0 version feels rather el-cheapo. At over RM140k the kit level is just not up to the competition. I mean... even Proton have stereo control on steering but a RM140k without...!!!

all 2.5 6 sold. 2 CX9 gone <- this one is close to RM300k...!!!. Malaysian are RICH but i am not....