2020 Mazda 6 vs. 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Both the Mazda 6 and the Camry 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, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

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 Toyota Camry 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, results indicate that the Mazda 6 is safer than the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

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

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

The Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 42 more horsepower (250 vs. 208) than the Camry Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda 6 is faster than the Toyota Camry 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 Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda 6 has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry Hybrid (16.4 vs. 13.2 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 Camry Hybrid:

The Mazda 6 stops shorter than the Camry Hybrid:

For better traction, the Mazda 6 has larger tires than the Camry Hybrid (225/55R17 vs. 205/65R16).

The Mazda 6 Sport’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camry Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda 6 Sport has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Camry Hybrid. The Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Camry Hybrid SE/XLE.

The Mazda 6 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Mazda 6 Grand Touring handles at .84 G’s, while the Camry Hybrid LE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mazda 6 Grand Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Camry Hybrid LE (27.1 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 6’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Camry Hybrid LE’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Mazda 6’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Camry Hybrid SE/XLE’s (36.7 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Mazda 6 (except Sport) offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Mazda 6 Touring is quieter than the Camry Hybrid XLE (67 vs. 68 dB).

The Mazda 6 has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the Camry Hybrid.

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 Camry Hybrid’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

When two different drivers share the Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer memory seats.

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 Camry Hybrid’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the Mazda 6’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Camry Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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 Camry Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Mazda 6 and the Camry Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Camry Hybrid.

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 Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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

The Mazda 6 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 7 years. The Camry hasn’t been picked since 1997.