Last time we did this some of us posted our short cliff notes from the day on here.
These were mine:
Accord: The outside is as ugly as the interior is unwelcoming. Nothing makes me want to drive the Accord, except the V6 engine – which is a blast. None the less, it does some other important things quite well.
Altima: Everyone said it was rubbish, and then I heard it had a CVT , so I was not expecting big things. The Altima surprised me a lot. It was an enormous amount of fun to drive. Also, it had a heated steering wheel! Epic win.
Camry: Really Toyota? $34K and no automatic climate control? I thought you wanted to sell cars? The rest of the Camry was underwhelming, but kudos for putting a V6 in it.
Fusion: The Fusion feels more solid. Heavier to sit in and handle – in a good way. Not in a “big car” way, in a “wow this is put together really nicely” kind of way. Even the rotary controls feel ultra-premium. And if you ignore the centre stack screen’s many issues and slowness, MyFord Touch works really well in the instrument cluster when controlled by steering-wheel controls. The Fusion was my pick of the bunch.
Malibu: It is a nice car – but it has some taste issues, and the handling on this one was woeful. I’m prepared to blame the tires, but the Malibu was looser than a 6 o’clock necktie. Have to give them credit for the middle-seat LATCH anchors in the back. Nobody else does that.
Mazda6: Pretty, manual, V6, good infotainment system – but the more we get to know the Mazda6, the more things like the thin and tinny doors stick out and bug us.
Optima: The prettiest car in the bunch, with the nicest interior of the bunch, and also the most vague steering and underwhelming drive experience. The car is presented beautifully in every way, but lacks genuine substance.
Re the Accord:
The Accord lost massive points for a few reasons (in no particular order):
1. Looks - interior and exterior
2. The user-interface/radio etc is truly horrible.
3. No split-fold. These are family sedans. What if I want to take my kid and say a set of skis somewhere? Can't fold down the rear seat, hence can't take the kid. Ridiculous
4. Fuel economy - not bulk points, but enough.
5. Value - it was the second-most expensive thing on the test.
On most other things bar engine power and ease of driving, it was just above mid-pack. It racked up very few individual wins.
I don't think a manual would have helped it. Sorry guys.
Would a $cy Manual to match Mazda's $cyl manual change things?
The Accord lost massive points for a few reasons (in no particular order):
1. Looks - interior and exterior-NO 4cyl looks like the 6
2. The user-interface/radio etc is truly horrible. -No interface is the same
3. No split-fold. These are family sedans. What if I want to take my kid and say a set of skis somewhere? Can't fold down the rear seat, hence can't take the kid. Ridiculous-No same seats (I agree its silly)
4. Fuel economy - not bulk points, but enough. -WAIT a 4cyl manual should be a fair bit more efficient than a v6 right???
5. Value - it was the second-most expensive thing on the test. -A cycl manual is a fair bit less expensive than a V6 isn't it?
Seems to me that the comparison of a 4cyl stick to a V6 CVT makes a large difference in terms of both price and economy.
I fully understand that you can only get what you are ultimately given but I also think that a Mazda 6 auto is not so rare that Mazda wouldn't give you one if you asked in order to make the comparison Auto to Auto across all the cars. Especially given how small a take rate manufactures that even offer a manual have.
Accord and Mazda 6 are the only 2 on my radar because they do offer a manual so don't take my comments that I am supporting automatics.