The mid-size segment is flushed with some of the most intriguing saloons which balance comfort, space, performance, and fuel economy. Such close competitiveness needs some distinct character to stand out.
The Toyota Camry has on-point handling and compliant ride but trails in performance behind the sportier and turbocharged Mazda 6. The Camry is a strong contender in the segment for its unsullied reliability while Mazda 6 draws attention for its ultimate joy of driving. The competitive pricing of saloons in the fading segment keeps the call close.
Price and Trims
It seems Toyota and Mazda are running on a similar strategy to buck up the sales and cover a wider spectrum of audience. Mazda 6 and Camry are offered in five trim options with two powertrain options. However, the Mazda 6 price ranges from $24,100 to $35,400, which undercuts the Camry. Toyota priced the Camry competitively with its starting price ranging from $24,425 to $35,130. The features list in both the saloons is comprehensive with increasing levels of luxury as you move up the ladder. However, Mazda 6 is the most affordable sports sedan, Toyota Camry is the most rounded sedan in the segment. You also get a Hybrid and TRD version of the Camry, with an AWD model, having just been released recently.
Engine and Performance
For the 2020 model year, both the Japanese, Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry places two engine options to cover a wider spectrum of car buyers. Surprisingly, the Toyota Camry is more powerful and efficient than any of the Mazda offerings. Though the engine response and driving dynamics of Mazda 6 are uncomparable, Toyota has a potent V6 as well. Toyota has an upper hand as it offers an all-weather capability while Mazda 6 has only FWD configuration. While Mazda balances the ride and handling perfectly, Camry is comfort focussed sedan.
At an almost identical price, Mazda 6 comes with a standard 187 hp 2.5L four-cylinder engine while the Camry’s four-cylinder churns out 203 hp. Beefing up the game, the 250 hp turbocharged Mazda 6 is full of excitement, still, remains behind the Camry’s V6 which produces massive 301 hp. The power games on the paper signify a clear Camry superiority but Mazda’s sportiness and enjoyable driving put it ahead in the real world. While today most of the automakers design their engines to be more efficient, they are putting bigger blocks to please the enthusiast as well.
|
Models |
Toyota Camry L |
Mazda 6 Sport |
|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$24,425 |
$24,100 |
|
Engine |
2.5L Inline-4 |
2.5L I4 |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
8-speed shiftable automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
|
Power (hp @ rpm) |
203@6,600 |
187 hp @ 6000 rpm |
|
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) |
184@5,000 |
186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.6 |
7.1 s |
|
Quarter mile |
15.7 |
15.1 s |
The handling prowess of the Mazda 6 needs no introduction or test for that matter. The ride remains composed and stable even when you push its limits. The Toyota Camry, on the other hand, is a more urban runner with a balance more towards comfort. Mazda 6 Sport returns overall 29 mpg which is short of Camry’s L 34 mpg but nothing can be more enjoyable than the Mazda. Moreover, Mazda compensates it with a larger fuel tank to get a competitive range in the segment.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Mazda 6 feels much pricier from the inside, courtesy of its mature design and upscale cabin which is no less practical. Also, Mazda 6 is quiet inside with a much better feel than the Camry. At the same time, the Camry takes the crown for a spacious and comfortable interior. Mazda’s silhouette gives it an aggressive and stylish look but cramps the rear headroom when compared to the Camry. Moving up the trim table adds more luxuries in both the sedans but Camry suffers from uninspiring interior design.
Inside, both the Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry are equally comfortable but Camry wins the race with more room to stretch for every passenger. The seats in both the sedans are well-cushioned and remain comfortable for long journeys. The low-slung silhouette of the 6 makes it easy to access the trunk as well.
|
Models |
Toyota Camry L |
Mazda 6 Sport |
|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (head/shoulder/leg) (in) |
38.3/57.7/42.1 |
38.4/55.9/42.2 |
|
Rear Row (head/shoulder/leg) (in) |
38.0/55.7/38.0 |
37.1/55.1/38.7 |
|
Cargo Capacity (ft3) |
15.1 |
14.7 |
Camry is a large sedan and offers a bigger trunk with a 15.1 cu-ft of cargo space while Mazda 6 is not far behind with a 14.7 cu-ft of cargo space. Practicality and space turn out to be the Toyota Camry’s trump card. For entertainment, both Mazda and Toyota equip their sedans with the modern and intuitive infotainment system. Where Mazda benefits from its tactile and user-friendly 8.0-inch infotainment system, Camry’s 7-inch infotainment system gets Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility as standard across the lineup.
Design and Dimensions
When it comes to style, the mid-size segment has all kinds of design inspirations but Mazda 6 is a looker. The stylish and aggressive design of Mazda 6 lets it enjoy a superior status than most rivals. The distinct looks of Mazda have high-head turning quotient while the Camry adorns good looks but feels pale in front of segment rivals. Also, Mazda 6 athleticism must be credited to its sporting design, long wheelbase and above average ground clearance.
|
Models |
Toyota Camry L |
Mazda 6 Sport |
|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3340 |
3437 |
|
Length (in) |
192.7 |
192.7 |
|
Width (in) |
72.4 |
72.4 |
|
Height (in) |
56.9 |
57.1 |
|
Ground Clearance (in) |
5.7 |
6.5 |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
111.2 |
111.4 |
Mazda rides atop 111.4 inches long wheelbase which is 0.2 inches longer than the Camry’s wheelbase, yet Camry’s interior offers more space inside. Also, the Mazda 6 has a large front overhang and wider dimensions when compared to Toyota Camry. Though, Camry is the lighter of the two. The dimensions of both the sedans are competitive to the segment rivals and translate well to enhance the practicality.
Safety and Reliability
Quite evidently, the 2020 Toyota Camry is considered as a benchmark for safety in the segment and Why no?. IIHS awarded the 2020 Camry with its “Top Safety Pick Plus”. Mazda 6 is well-equipped and scores overall good safety ratings from federal agencies but misses out on the Top Safety Pick. Both the Japanese automakers provide a long list of standard safety and driver-assistance features to keep you enveloped.
Again its a clash of two rivals both known for their utmost reliability and strongly built architecture. Mazda and Toyota both hold good reputations for building strong and dependable cars. Based on the quantification done by the JD Power report, the 2020 Toyota Camry scores better than Mazda 6 for reliability. Also, Toyota provides complimentary free scheduled maintenance for two years while for Mazda it is payable. So, Toyota Camry is the most reliable saloon in the segment.
Which one to choose?
Well, the choice is really simple. If you want to have while commuting from office to home and vice-versa and have a non-mundane life, the Mazda6 should be your choice. It offers good practicality and reliability, with head-turning design and features as well. However, if you are likely to spend most of your time driving around with your family, the Camry should be your pick.
