Topic: Comparison Test: 2014 Mid-Size Sedans

[Sir Osis of Liver]

As has been pointed out, you are simply wrong about high strength steel. Young's modulus does change for different steel alloys. The yield strength is where a material changes from elastic to plastic behaviour, ie the point at which it will no longer return to it's original shape. Kind of a critical thing in car design.

who are you replying to?

chignectohead.

[dirtyjeffer]

As has been pointed out, you are simply wrong about high strength steel. Young's modulus does change for different steel alloys. The yield strength is where a material changes from elastic to plastic behaviour, ie the point at which it will no longer return to it's original shape. Kind of a critical thing in car design.

who are you replying to?

chignectohead.

ok...was wondering there, because your sentence and pic basically confirmed my statement, but you had replied right after me so i was left scratching my head (thinking you were replying to me, yet agreeing with me at the same time). 

[Black Hatch]

Motortrend takes their long-term Mazda6 to the track.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/sedans/1403_2014_mazda6_i_touring_update_2/

Mazda really should do advertisements with their vehicles versus other vehicles on the track (maybe even have the competitors spin out) to promote their sporty, fun handling nature.
see http://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/2013-toyota-rav4-vs-2014-mazda-cx5-3504.html

Just my opinion.
Too little exposure.
Google Subaru and you can see the AWD comparisons versus other makes.

[KD]

I gave the Passat Highline with TDI and auto a test drive before abandoning the mid-sized market as being far too large. It was the Passat that really did that, it is far too large to be called a mid-sized car. It felt as big as my 1976 Chrysler Cordoba (my first car, in '94, with rich corinthian leather).

Sorry man, but just can't resist....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsg97bxuJnc

Corrrrr-DOH-ba...

[johngenx]

Mazda's marketing?  What marketing?  Their latest efforts are tepid at best.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

They certainly haven't been able to duplicate this campaign:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOXRBK7EITI#t=44

[Jaeger]

I so wish they'd put a gasoline engine in the 6 that wasn't gutless.  The car is so sleek, the interior spot on and the handling terrific.  But it sure 'aint got much go.  The MT track report confirmed that in spades.

[Minou]

I gave the Passat Highline with TDI and auto a test drive before abandoning the mid-sized market as being far too large. It was the Passat that really did that, it is far too large to be called a mid-sized car. It felt as big as my 1976 Chrysler Cordoba (my first car, in '94, with rich corinthian leather).

Sorry man, but just can't resist....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsg97bxuJnc

Corrrrr-DOH-ba...

Thing is Both Ricardo and title of the ad say "New Small Chrysler"...

[dirtyjeffer]

Mazda really should do advertisements with their vehicles versus other vehicles on the track (maybe even have the competitors spin out) to promote their sporty, fun handling nature.

i see tons of ads on TV for Mazda...they also feature "hit songs" as soundtracks for them to grab your attention...personally, i think their ads are just fine...regarding the "track comparisons", that seems silly...people looking for compacts and family sedans are more concerned about a vehicle that suits their needs, not what finishes first on track day.

[dkaz]

Imagine the outcry had they put the 2.0L engine in.

[alexdc]

I would take a fusion se with the manual without mft. Put in an aftermarket stereo and look at the aftermarket for some tinkering and fun.

[quadzilla]

I so wish they'd put a gasoline engine in the 6 that wasn't gutless.  The car is so sleek, the interior spot on and the handling terrific.  But it sure 'aint got much go.  The MT track report confirmed that in spades.

  The car is the same as the other cars though.

Order is Honda, Mazda and Toyota

[Black Hatch]

Mazdpera really should do advertisements with their vehicles versus other vehicles on the track (maybe even have the competitors spin out) to promote their sporty, fun handling nature.

i see tons of ads on TV for Mazda...they also feature "hit songs" as soundtracks for them to grab your attention...personally, i think their ads are just fine...regarding the "track comparisons", that seems silly...people looking for compacts and family sedans are more concerned about a vehicle that suits their needs, not what finishes first on track day.

Uh really? All the Mazda TV ads that I see are Mazda taking a leisure curve.
You are looking at it at the wrong light. People who just look for ho-hum everyday needs already have the Camry and Accord. Mazda has to be different in showing what set it apart from the other vehicles, namely its handling.

Even the Corolla commercial inspires me at driving than the lame Mazda commercials.
2014 AJAC winner and it an afterthought on the commercial. Hyundai Sante Fe 2013 AJAC winner and it drives on top of the other Similar SUVs (I think a new Escape is in that commercial.
Even the hyundai Sonata with the BSM system showing Nascar cars around is more inspiring than the generic Mazda commercials that anyone can do.

I also love Lexus ads.

[dirtyjeffer]

meh...i don't see anything wrong with the new Mazda ads...they focus on themes and show people using them...leave the apex carving ads to BMW.

[EV-Light]

Mazda ads are definitely not well thought-out...they are all lame, the lamest one is the mobile phone inventor thing.

I'm wondering how they are doing in the rest of Canada, I've seen 2 Mazda 3s in the past couple months. New Corollas and Civics are everywhere though.

[Jaeger]

I so wish they'd put a gasoline engine in the 6 that wasn't gutless.  The car is so sleek, the interior spot on and the handling terrific.  But it sure 'aint got much go.  The MT track report confirmed that in spades.

  The car is the same as the other cars though.

Order is Honda, Mazda and Toyota

Yes, but with Camcordimanata I can opt for V6 or turbo 4 power that puts me in the ~ 275hp range.  With Mazda, I am stuck with "base engine" power only.  And not even the most powerful of those.  I loved everything about the extended test drive I took in the 6, but to say the power difference from my Sonata was very noticeable would be a huge understatement.  The 6 was okay - just okay - puttering around town.  But the highway was a different story - and not a good one.  Acceleration in the merging lane was somewhere between tepid and lame.  Same with left lane passing.

If the bulk of my driving were puttering around town, I could live with it.  But I do better than 80% highway, and  I have been spoiled by a series of V6 and turbo midsize sedans.

[dkaz]

90% of Camries and Accords sold were Inline 4s though, no?

I see lots of V6 Mazda 6s on the used market though. Manual transmission too.

[rrocket]

90% of Camries and Accords sold were Inline 4s though, no?

But at least you have a CHOICE of going with an uprated engine.  No choice with the Mazda.

[Black Hatch]

90% of Camries and Accords sold were Inline 4s though, no?

But at least you have a CHOICE of going with an uprated engine.  No choice with the Mazda.

I don't think you have a choice with the Camry. Is it not auto only?

Blame the lack of choice of stupid diesel development.

[Jaeger]

90% of Camries and Accords sold were Inline 4s though, no?

I see lots of V6 Mazda 6s on the used market though. Manual transmission too.

That may be - but I've never bought one.  I always got the V6 version.  Notwithstanding that normally aspirated 4-pots account for the bulk of sales, clearly a business case still remains for Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia etc. to offer optional up-level power in their midsize sedans.  Mazda would be top of my list for a replacement if they did.  And that's the problem I have with all this "Sky-Activ" stuff.  It's all "Sky" all right - impressive fuel economy.  But when it's time to get "Activ" and hustle along in a hurry it's a big letdown.  I felt the same when I drove the CX-5 in the first comparison test in which it was entered.  Loved everything but the motor.  I seem to recall that Bridgit had some pretty colorful phrases to express her views on the lack of power after after running it up a hilly section of our test route. 

That said, I still like the 6 very nearly well enough to buy one.  I keep hoping my wife will pull the trigger on one - she likes them qite a bit, but is still far to in love with her Fit to part with it.