2020 Mazda 6 vs. 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid

The Mazda 6 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Mazda 6 Signature has a standard 360-degree View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Accord Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Mazda 6 and the Accord Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda 6 is safer than the Honda Accord Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda 6 is safer than the Honda Accord Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 6 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2020, a rating granted to only 30 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord Hybrid is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2020.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 6’s reliability 15 points higher than the Accord Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 12th in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda second in reliability. Honda is ranked 12th.

The Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (250 vs. 212) than the Accord Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda 6 4 cyl. is faster than the Honda Accord Hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 6 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda 6 has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid (16.4 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord Hybrid:

The Mazda 6 stops shorter than the Accord Hybrid:

The Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord Hybrid’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature has standard 19-inch wheels. The Accord Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Mazda 6 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Accord Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 6’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Accord Hybrid’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Mazda 6’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Accord Hybrid’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Mazda 6’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord Hybrid’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Mazda 6’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Accord Hybrid’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Mazda 6’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Accord Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Mazda 6’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Accord Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.