Test drive Mazda 6 vs Toyota Camry

The second update brings a supercharged version to the Mazda 6 range, with which the Japanese sedan can challenge the top-end Toyota Camry V6. Moreover, Mazda wins the price round of the duel in advance

In the Russian segment of classic large sedans, everything seems to have been clear for a long time, but the competitors of Toyota Camry are not giving up. Kia Optima can be considered a good alternative, Skoda Superb is selling well, VW Passat positions are stable. Boredom? Then it makes sense to take a look at the updated Mazda 6 - the Japanese brand has always made cars with character for people who like to drive.

It is clear that in the mass segment it will be difficult to fight with Camry, but for those who want to take a car for driving with pleasure, Mazda now offers a perky 2,5-liter turbo engine. Toyota doesn't have one, but it does have a true classic V6 that's unique to the segment as a whole. That being said, the Camry cannot be said to offer the most affordable "two hundred plus" horsepower. The top engine Mazda 6 develops 231 hp. with., but the powerful Mazda, it turns out, is on sale for less.

The Camry's reinforced concrete reputation is so reliably built on an excellent value for money car that it rarely comes to direct comparison of numbers from price lists. But the alignment is not always in favor of the bestseller. Base Camry 2,0 with 150 hp from. costs $ 20. against $ 605. for a similar Mazda 19. The minimum cost of cars with engines of 623 (6 and 2,5 hp, respectively) is $ 181 and $ 192.

For the notorious 6 hp V249. from. Toyota asks for a minimum of $ 30, but the equipment in this case will be much richer than the initial ones. Well, the 443-horsepower Mazda 231 in the only equally rich version costs $ 6. and according to the factory characteristics it surpasses the competitor in almost all dynamic characteristics. Except, perhaps, those that cannot be measured in numbers.

Toyota Camry radically changed its image with the release of the eighth generation car in 2017. This is no longer a crude, suitcase-style sedan that could only be imagined in a black executive color or, for example, in a yellow taxi color. It is as large as before, but angles and sharp edges have replaced smooth air lines, the roof is lower, and in the stream of cars the Camry no longer looks like an elephant in a china shop. Although with that huge grille and narrow techno headlights, it still looks solid and monumental.

The updated "six", also presented in 2017, was prepared for sales in Russia for almost a year, although there are very few visible changes in it. But this is the second restyling, and the "six" now differs significantly from the original 2012 car. The radiator lining has become larger and visually slid lower, almost gluing the headlights, and the bumper finally sank onto the foglights - their role is now played by narrow strips of LEDs. The sidewall lines remain the same, and overall the Mazda 6 still looks dynamic and vibrant. And it doesn’t seem big, although it’s almost parity with the Camry.

Salon "six" can be called youth, because everything here is in the current minimalist fashion: an extremely restrained panel, a media system screen sticking out of the console, still classic devices, but already without old wells, plus a very neat set of analog handles. The materials do not seem expensive, but everything seems to be in moderation, and if there are no claims to an abundance of premium leather, and the back does not require wide armchairs with soft padding, you should like it in this salon.

The interior of the Camry, fortunately, is also not fat, but in the top version it looks both expensive and rich, although in some places it is a little condo. The design of the panel with smooth surfaces turning into an intricate bend of the console is not for everybody, but the skin is pleasant to the touch, the shades are chosen well, and instead of a funny plastic pseudo-wood, more intricate textures are used that do not evoke longing for the nineties. The quality of the largest eight-inch screen in the gamut is below average, as is the selection of fonts. And in terms of capabilities, it surpasses the Mazda 6 media - cute, but empty in terms of functionality and not very easy to control.

The massive lines of the Camry's interior give a feeling of spaciousness, but in fact there is hardly more space here, and the chairs no longer seem so sofa as before. The landing has become noticeably more focused, and not least thanks to the large steering ranges.

Rear passengers Camry - expanse, and this is just the car in which the attempt to cross legs will not become formal. But not everything is perfect: it is not easy to shove the feet under the front seats, and the central tunnel has become larger due to the peculiarities of the new architecture. Mazda6's legs are at least no worse, but its tunnel is just as large, and the headroom is less, even taking into account the very low landing.

"Six" is shorter than the Camry by a symbolic 1,5 cm, and it can be assumed that they were taken from the trunk. Mazda has less volume, and the compartment itself is slightly inferior to the competitor in all dimensions. Even with the backrest folded down in the Camry, you can fit an almost two-meter object, and Mazda will accept a length ten centimeters shorter. But in terms of finishing, the trunk of the "six" is noticeably better, and the lid hinges neatly hide under the upholstery. None of the machines have electric drives.

Another thing seems strange: with generally equal dimensions and a close set of equipment, the Camry is almost 100 kg heavier than its competitor. And it's not just a heavier engine. With the change of generations, Toyota became even heavier relative to its former self, since the Japanese finally decided to really pay attention to sound insulation. There is a result: Camry is no longer perceived by the drum and in quiet modes already rides really solid.

Mazda in this sense is much more transparent, even despite the fact that after the update the noise insulation has also increased, the body has become stiffer, and the chassis has become more vibration-insulated. And the transparent sedan is perceived precisely in comparison with the Camry, and apart from it it also rides very solidly and very quietly. But to make the "six" absolutely quiet, apparently, and did not plan, because this car wants to feel in full.

Camry of the eighth generation in this sense looks rather paradoxical. On the one hand, there is comfort, silence and detachment, and on the other, an unprecedented sharpness of responses. Toyota follows the wheel readily, with precise responses and minimal roll. And at the same time, the driver feels well everything that happens to the car. Is this exactly about the Camry?

On smooth bumps, this is really the familiar Camry with its sway and ship-like smoothness. And on rougher irregularities, everything is not so simple. On 18-inch wheels, the machine can work off the sharp edges of the pits quite roughly. The same applies to rocky primers, where the Camry no longer wants to drive without looking back. But where there is normal asphalt, there are really few equal to the bestseller in terms of comfort and ride comfort.

One would think that with such a chassis assembled, a 6 V3,5 engine should make the Camry gamble, but the six-cylinder is still not for racing. The important baritone of the engine sounds very solid, and the responsiveness of the power unit is beyond praise. The 8-speed "automatic" works extremely smoothly and very slowly, which does not detract from the temperament of the V6 engine. There is a feeling that there is always a lot of traction in stock, and this gives a pleasant feeling of confidence both in the city and on the highway. I don't want to hysterically drive on such a car.

The Mazda box has only six steps, but it works smartly and without further hesitation, combining well with the turbo engine. The power unit here is calibrated for instant recoil, which makes the "six" unpleasantly twitch when starting off, but if you adjust the sensitivity of your right leg, then you can live in perfect harmony with a turbo sedan. Because it will turn out to be very easy to climb and will delight you with dense daring spurts at any speed. Unlike the demonstratively strong and calm V6 Camry, the Mazda turbo engine works sharply, angrily and impulsively, immediately setting up a battle rhythm.

With comfort, however, not very: Mazda shamelessly shakes passengers on irregularities of any caliber, makes a lot of noise, but these are sensations from the category of those that delight the sophisticated driver with the transparency and sensitivity of the car. Therefore, the cool handling seems to be quite expected and logical here. "Six" is pleasant to drive, and, moreover, I want to do it over and over again.

Alas, with the steering, things are not so smooth. The driver's Mazda surprises with a completely unnatural steering effort from soft-light at low speeds to too strong in fast turns, where the driver has to apply a fair amount of effort. This is despite the fact that high-speed maneuvers are given to the car extremely easily and accurately, and the stabilization system does not intervene in the control ahead of time.

However, Mazda still gives a lot of driving pleasure, and some of its shortcomings can be forgiven. Moreover, the Japanese sedan is also beautiful - so much so that you really want to see it in a bright color, which automatically distinguishes the Mazda 6 from a number of black and boring nomenclature cars for men aged "40 plus". It is more pleasant to use a beautiful thing, especially if it is capable of really starting up, delighting with dense dynamics and a thrilling exhaust sound.

Well, you can fall in love with the top-end Camry just for the juicy bubbling of the V-shaped "six", its uterine rumble and reliable pickup at any speed. And also - for the feeling of owning an almost real business sedan, which came very close to the commensurate cars of real premium brands.

And yet it is Mazda that will turn out to be the car you expect to see after the end of the working day. Unless, of course, you are so exhausted that the only option is a carefree nap in the back seat.

The editors are grateful to the administration of the Metropolis shopping center for their help in organizing the shooting.

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Body type	Sedan	Sedan
dimensions (length / width / height), mm	4870/1840/1450	4885/1840/1455
Wheelbase, mm	2830	2825
Curb weight, kg	1578	1690
engine's type	Gasoline, R4, turbo	Gasoline, V6
Working volume, cubic meters cm	2488	3456
Power, hp with. at rpm	231 at 5000	249 at 5000-6600
Max. torque, Nm at rpm	420 at 2000	356 at 4700
Transmission, drive	6-st. Automatic transmission, front	8-st. Automatic transmission, front
Maximum speed km / h	239	220
Acceleration to 100 km / h, from	7,0	7,7
Fuel consumption (city / highway / mixed), l	10,7/5,9/7,7	12,5/6,4/8,7
Cargo space, l	429	493
Price from, $.	29 395	30 443