Honda Accord
What’s for sale near me?
Above Average: Exceptional fuel economy and reliability, comfortable ride, strong resale, hybrid model
Below Average: Frustrating infotainment, conservative styling, options limited by trim
Consensus: About the closest you’ll come to finding the perfect family sedan at a good price.
Mazda6
What’s for sale near me?
Above Average: handling, interior and exterior design, fuel economy
Below Average: horsepower, infotainment, rear seat space
Consensus: One of the most elegant, refined and fun-to-drive family sedans money can buy.
Both Honda and Mazda have a well-earned reputation for building reliable, sophisticated sedans that cater to the needs of their owners. The Mazda6 is a driver’s car that also has a rather elegant side, especially when it comes to interior design. The Accord offers a softer ride and a quieter cabin, as well as a roomier rear seat and more powerful engine choices, but both cars can be had with a manual transmission. Only the Accord, however, offers a hybrid and coupe model. Both have strong resale, with the Accord leading the Mazda6 by a few points. The Mazda’s infotainment setup is somewhat awkward, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility on later models. Because Honda sold so many Accords over the years, finding the Honda of your dreams may be easier than finding a similarly equipped Mazda6. Both cars offer similar factory and CPO warranty coverage.
Honda Accord Advantages
Strong resale and reliability, V6 engine option, quiet cabin, coupe and sedan body styles, plentiful used car supply
Mazda6 Advantages
Superior handling, elegant interior, available Bose audio, snug but nicely bolstered front seats
Similarities
The Accord and Mazda6 both offer an upscale interior on their top-line models, and offer the option of a manual transmission for the driving enthusiasts. Both cars hold their value well and return good fuel economy from their 4-cylinder engines.
Final Recommendation
The Accord will always be the safest bet in the midsized sedan game, but we think going with the Mazda6 won’t disappoint anyone looking for a fun-to-drive family sedan with an upscale look and feel. However, if brute power is an important factor in your used car buying decision, the Mazda6 has no answer to the Accord’s V6 or hybrid options.
OK, so what’s next?
I’m ready for one of these cars, and I’d like to trade in my current car while I’m at it.
