Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #67: 2016 Mazda6 and CX-5; Acura ILX | Consumer Reports
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- Опубликовано: 20 апр 2015
- We see it all the time in the RUclips comments: questions about the Mazda6 and CX-5. Both models were updated for 2016, so Talking Cars highlights the changes. Check out www.ConsumerReports.org for additional reviews, tips, and recommendations.
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Both cars stay true to form, with sharp handling and impressive fuel economy. We discuss if Mazda was successful in reducing interior noise, long a brand shortcoming. Also updated for 2016 is the Acura ILX. Despite changes, the car doesn't reach far beyond its Honda Civic roots, making us seriously question its $30,000 price tag.
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If Mazda didn't part with Ford, Mazda will still share a platform with the Ford focus. None of the new skyactive chassis and parts will ever come about. Not to mention Mazda reliability gets better after leaving Ford.
Consumer Reports, PLEASE address this: Why haven't I seen a SINGLE other review of the ILX that has said anything close to what you guys are saying? It is truly night and day. Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds, all of them, rave about the SPORTINESS, REASONABLE PRICING, and NICE INTERIOR. Motor Trend says, "A quiet ride remains one of the hallmarks of luxury, and the ILX allows for easy conversations at any speed...When you sit down in this car, you notice that it's nicely done." Kelley Blue Book says, "Speaking of price, the 2016 Acura ILX remains a bargain...At a topped-out price of $34,390, that's a lot of car." Autoweek, among many others, talk about the fantastic handling, noting that "[We] were immediately impressed with the power from the new drivetrain and its handling ability on some challenging strips of pavement...With good Continental ContiProContact tires wrapping the 18-inch wheels, we could attack bends surprisingly hard with the weighty and responsive steering helping to direct us along." Edmunds says that, "This car offers a nearly ideal compromise between control and comfort, even with the larger 18-inch wheels." Of course, there are some negatives embedded in these reviews as well. However, it is nothing NEAR what CR is saying.
This makes absolutely NO sense. I have mentioned so many trusted resources for automotive acclaim, all of which sum the ILX up to be an extremely well rounded package. Why, then, is Consumer Reports SO opposite to this view?
328iiii Those magazines are always positive about nearly every car on the market. Then when the car gets updated or replaced they start discussing the flaws. I'd like to see how the ILX did in comparisons in those mags.
328iiii It's because they love to hate Acura. No need to worry though, I'm sure the 2016 ILX will still be "recommended" despite it being bashed. I'm also sure that the ILX will be recommended as a great used car in the years to come just like every other Acura they bash.
I understand that Mazda isn't a volume player right now, but they never really were when they were under Ford either. Mazda is much better now without Ford. They're able to make their cars the way "they" want to. A little louder and a little firmer is what they do. The plus in all that is class leading dynamics, reliability and efficiency. In my opinion they look better than anything they compete against as well. That being said, Mazda understands that they're not going to outsell Honda, Toyota or Ford. What they've done though is carve out a unique place for themselves and they're not deviating from what they do. Oh, and even though they're not selling like the big boys, 2014 netted record profits for them. Bravo Mazda.
+Jan-Michael Franklin Well said, and on point! Mazda makes fun, affordable, reliable performance cars outside the mainstream.
Mazda is the 3rd most popular brand in Australia. They're everywhere!!
We bought a 2015 Mazda 6 for my wife and my biggest complaint is that I don't get to drive it enough. We bought it just before having a baby and it is the perfect family car. It's big enough to a rear facing child safety seat, a stroller in the trunk, and still plenty of space for 3 adults and their luggage. I like it's steering better than the 2012 BMW 3 series I recently rented. I don't understand the complaint about noise. I don't notice it unless I really try to listen for it. We have more than 11,000 miles on the car over 11 months and average 32 mpg in mixed driving without taking the car out of town. I had one tank as high as 38.5 mpg. I think the Mazda 6 has a great driving position, and is the perfect family car if you like to drive while needing space for passengers and cargo.
+Levi Thomson Sorry to bother you but I'm toiling over my next car. Have you had any problems or is your car still the ace in the mid size class?
+David Lyday 22,000 miles and 1.5 years into ownership, we've only paid for oil changes and gas. It's still a fun car to drive, gets excellent gas mileage, looks sharp, and has plenty of space for our rear facing child seat and stroller in the trunk. I'd recommend one if you would rather enjoy driving than enjoy a great infotainment system.
Levi Thomson Thank you. Is the infotainment passable?
+David Lyday The Infotainment is fine just not great. Bluetooth, Pandora, etc. take a while to link as the system searched the phone address book every time I start the car. But it always works. I plan on owning the car for 150-200,000 miles and spending hundreds of hours in it. If I have to settle for a slower linking blue tooth connection, ok. If I have to not enjoy driving, that's a deal breaker. I enjoy driving the 6 every time I take it out.
Levi Thomson Great info thank you
I have been driving my 2014 Mazda 6 for 1.5 years now and I love driving it every day. When I test drove it I knew right away I was going to buy it. Never regretted that decision for a moment.
Finally BMW's that are decently priced.....I mean Mazda
You three nailed what Mazda is all about. We were in the market for a large crossover. One drive in the CX9 and I was sold. No other large crossover, except Porsche, can hold a candle to it's driving dynamics and the unique, not me too looks, sold my wife. We have been very happy hauling kids and dogs with it and it has enough luxury for the rare kid free date night, and enough room with both rows folded to enjoy the sub races. Your podcast format just convinced me to renew my subscription.
Oh, why are you honest about the Acura ILX, because CR buys the car and isn't beholden to automakers like the others. So if you like unbiased reports, subscribe like me and keep CU independent!
By the way, our two year old CX9 drives like new and has been perfectly reliable. Mazda will make it, I believe, because it makes converts out of buyers. Subaru and Mazda together does make sense though, if they keep the emphasis unique to both brands!
I agree that a Mazda 6 is a nice alternate to the higher price luxury mid-sized cars.
But if you are someone who is not really a car enthusiast and does not really care that the Mazda 6 is a more fun and better handling car than most of the main stream mid-sizes cars out there then why buy this car. I personally don't yet own a mid-size car myself but after reading many reviews from a variety of automotive websites, I clearly understand why this car is receiving such high praise. I think the Mazda 6 is the best looking and driving non luxury mid-sized car right now.
I have a 2004 mazda6. I don't think I will change Mazda for anything. Just changed my sister's mind to get a Mazda over Honda and Toyota. Really great cars.
I think I'm actually going to buy a Mazda6. This really helped my buying decision
Been looking for a new sedan for two years. The Mazda6 grabbed my attention early, but the road noise killed it, because my sound meter measurements showed it to be louder than my 1999 Solara. However, all the newcomers (Camry, Accord, Altima, Malibu) just looked bland next to the Mazda6. While considering the Mazda3, a rental model I'd driven 650 miles from Atlanta to Miami, I got used to the infotainment system. The dealer mentioned the 2016 Mazda6 was in. Well, after driving it, I love the new dashboard and center console and the road noise is about 9 decibel lower than the 2015. It is the top sedan if you want a fun drive at $22K. The Sonata is just boring in the new body and driving feel (drove one for 3 days), the Camry is better than before, but that Bass Mouth (Lexus like) grill destroys it. The Accord, well, been there and done that. Buy what you want, but if you want a fun, quick steering car that requires your attention and manipulation? Well I'm getting the 2016 Mazda6
Okay, okay, enough. I'm on my 4th Mazda 6 since 2003. Also had a few Mazda 3's as well. Please quit telling everyone about their attributes and value. I like them for their quality, performance, handling and economy. Oh, and exclusivity. There are no bad cars on the market. Some, however, are better than others. I've had 4 Porsches, 2 Corvettes a BMW and an Audi among others and enjoy just driving. I'm sure that the Camry. Accord etc, are fine cars. I enjoy my Mazdas. I love to drive them. I do not want to see myself coming down the road every day. I would appreciate it if you would play down the Mazda and keep the seniors, parents buying for their kids, accountants and people who hate to drive buying the Toyotas, Hondas and Hyundais. I like having a fun car that has some exclusivity and don't need these rolling chicanes, hogging the left lane taking away the fun.
Phil Lampman Phil you just nailed it my friend!
I had my 2016 ILX for nearly 3k miles, believe me Acura is really coming back. The driving dynamic is better than TLX since its light weight and fabulous 8 speed DCT from Honda. I traded in my 2013 CC for this. That transmission is better than VW's 6 speed DSG in the aspect of sportiness.
Thanks all! I really enjoy your talks!! Anyhow get well Tom!!! Your voice telling me you need to get some sleep. Thank you all today!
I have owned 7 Honda/ Acura's. I also owned the 268 HP Camry v6. This year I brought a Mazda 6 (2016 Toouring). The Camy was powerful but as exciting as a Wonderbread sandwich. My Accord and Acura are amazing cars! I have a 2003 CL-S 6 speed and a 2001 Accord. I drove the 2016 Accord and the CVT is AWEFUL. It also feels heavy and lethargic on the road. The 6 is more like a German sedan. It feels light and athletic compared to the new Accord. I love it!
It’s not a mainstream car and I love it. Looks better than a boring BMW. I have a 6 and I switched from a A6. Never looked back. It’s the perfect car when it comes to running cost/maintenance/reliability and everyone who says otherwise should own a Mazda before.
For being a really small brand, Mazda has developed some fantastic cars that are reliable, stylish, good bang for the buck, fun to drive and have great resale values. It's a shame that more people don't experience the excitement that Mazda has to offer because their products are really competitive.
Tom, you are absolutely right when you say Mazda is raising the perception of it's brand, "trying to be a slightly premium brand" .
If you like to drive then you’ll love Mazdas. Interior quality, ride handling, comfort, and very good looking.
Guys, thanks so much for answering my question. Your answer was very complete. It was the answer I not only expected to hear, but needed to hear.
I recently purchase the 2016 Mazda GT. The number one reason, there are too many reasons. Bang for buck...nothing comes close. Go try it, you have nothing to lose but money once you buy it.
Really nice discussion thanks!!!
As a note, recently purchased a Mazda 3 Touring model form a dealership in North Carolina (which was awesome). I live in Florida. For a little perspective, I own a BMW 550i, a BMW M3, Ford Expedition and a few others (older). On the drive home from North Carolina, I was really impressed with the Mazda3. Tracks down the road incredibly well, handles perfectly, great fuel economy, and pretty much everything else. Road noise is louder, but part of that has to do with the tires that they put on the car as well as the lighter materials to help with the weight. Overall, one of the most fun cars I've driven. Don't get me wrong, it's not a road eating monster like the M3, but if you want to have fun driving, get into the Zoom-Zoom. :-)
I love my CX5. Nimble and fun to drive are the exact words I use to describe it. I bought a 2014 in July and when some one ran into it and totaled it in November I went back and got a 2015 Sport.
I drive a 2003 Mazda Protege, 5 speed manual. We also have a mazda6 in the family, a 6 speed manual. They are truly fun to drive. Plus I feel totally in control at all times, AND gas mileage is fantastic. Can't beat mazda for manual transmissions!
Great vid. Thanks
some people don't like the road noise of mazda but not me coz I like to hear, feel the road and all the cars around me, I sometimes turn off my radio just to hear the rev and the tires touching the rough asphalt. I wish mazda would NOT make their cars less noise inside. -#proud owner of 14mazda3sport here.
I used to choose Honda over everything. My wife has converted me. She had a Mazda3 that she recently traded for a Mazda MX5 Miata. Let me tell, both cars are absolutely amazing. I'll be shopping for a Mazda 6 or CX5.
go for CX5, you get the same looks but a lot more space
I can only speak compared to previous Mazdas, especially the 2003 and 2014...the 2016 is the quietest and nicest Mazda I've ever owned. I absolutely enjoy driving it! And at the end of the day, that is all that matters. I love the way it looks, the way it handles, and I can see myself keeping it for 10 years like I did my 2003 and being very happy :)
PS the 2014 was exceptionally noisy and not quite up to Mazda quality standards....and it still wasn't the worst car out there, lol. The 2016 fixes all of the problems I had with the 2014, while keeping all the good stuff.
I'm a recent subscriber to your excellent podcast and I'm currently working my way towards watching every single episode. Your reviews are refreshingly honest and comprehensive and I have come to value your opinions very much.
However the reason I stumbled upon your podcast in the first place was because I am currently considering buying a Brand New Hyundai Genesis Coupe (3.8L V8 R-spec or Ultimate Trim). From all the episodes I have watched so far I have not heard one thing mentioned about this car from ANY of you guys. Can you please offer your thoughts on this car in a (hopefully near) future episode of Talking Cars?
Keep up the great work!
Update: I've now seen your video of the Gen Coupe on the consumer Reports website but it's about the old model that was replaced 2 years ago. An update on the current model would be very much appreciated.
The screen is a touch screen when the car isn't moving.
+Robert Young Yes. I don't know why so many reviewers get this wrong? If you're going to criticize it, at least get it right!
I enjoyed your comments on Mazdas. I have driven Mazdas for the last 14 years. I appreciate their fun-to-drive nature. I currently live in the Caribbean and drive a 2010 Mazda Demio, the Japan version of the Mazda 2. It has a power train not available in the US: a 1.3L gas engine with a CVT. It is so fun to drive. It feels lively and nimble. And I get over 40 MPG average, as high as 47 MPG. I am waiting to see how the 2016 Mazda 2 rates.
One thing missed when talking about fun to drive due to Mazda's handling is the safety factor. Every day driving for most people - doesn't make much difference - but in emergency handling situations - a car that handles better and has a higher handling threshold will do better in these situations making them inherently safer.
had a 2014 Mazda 6 Loaded to the bones for a rental while my 08 3 was getting some work done to it, swore I was in a German luxury car, and the mileage was amazing, and decent power with the 4 cylinder engine!
I'm a big fan of Mazda although it is the first Mazda I have ever owned. I currently have a 2008 MazdaSpeed3, and yes, it is noisy, stiff, and not very roomy, but I commute to it everyday to work and it is an agile car, with great power, and ultimately it makes my daily drive fun. I agree that Mazda makes cars for people that enjoy driving, even for an old dude like myself (48 yrs). BTW, it has been very reliable, which at the time when I was shopping for a car it was the ultimate factor in my decision between the MS3 and Golf GTI. I patiently await for the new MS3, although the Mazda 6 (I was at the dealer the other day) is very impressive. I think that if VW would make the GTI (I have owned a GTI as well) a reliable car, I would by one in a minute. Great show, by the way. Cheers.
I've had my 2015 Mazda 6 for a couple months now. I chose it over Accord and Fusion because of great styling and sporty handling, and CR's predicted reliability. We just took it on a 2000 mile family trip. Fuel economy was excellent. The road noise can be annoying on certain types of pavement, and the firm ride can be a bit tiring, but overall I'm very pleased. I chose the base Sport model to avoid spending money on an infotainment system that will be obsolete in a couple years.
I also enjoy driving, but removed the Mazda 6 from my recent buying decision. Why? Because in the top trim level with the full power seat that my 70 year old body desires, I cannot get a manual transmission. Drove the base model with a standard transmission and loved the way it handles, and found the steering feedback very good.
I ended up getting the Golf Mk7 TDI Sportwagen in the SEL trim level because it was the only car I could find with a full power seat and a manual transmission! Even tried to get a top trim level BMW 5 series, but could not get a manual.
Only problem with the Golf MK7 is how VW has reversed the way the cruise control works with a manual transmission. Rather than disengaging cruise control when you downshift to handle a very tight off ramp curve or a widow maker rural road corner, you find the car speeding back up to the speed set on the cruise control. Oh well. Progress truly is a double-edged sword.
Interesting listening to this, especially considering Mazda is the 3rd most popular brand in Australia, with the 3 the no. 2 selling car and the CX5 the 7th best selling car in Australia. The 6 is a great looking car, and we also get the wagon here
i have driven several cars and i can not compare them to my CX5 , it is really a delight to drive
Mazda is actually selling its powertrains and SkyActiv Technology to Toyota and Scion for their sub-compact offerings. Scion iA is a good example of using Mazda's SkyActiv Technology.
Thank you for responding to my question about the Mazda 6 It is good to see a large company so responsive Jim Gicas
Absolutely love my 2015 Mazda 6, Zoom-Zoom is for real. It is noisier than most cars but I don't even notice it over the radio. Would love it if they brought the 4WD version to the States!
I genuinely hope Mazda lives on; even the non-car enthusiasts Consumer Reports all universally claim their cars are fun to drive & their focus on lightweight, simple & proven-reliability designs to achieve that task (very in spirit of the Miata).
As for the ILX, for this generation anyways, KILL IT WITH FIRE!
Thank you for talking about Mazda. I wish the Mazda marketing dept. would do the same, and tell the public of all the accolades it has received, such as KBB lowest cost of ownership for 2 years, EPA's most fuel efficient brand for 2 years, the Mazda3 was best compact car in both Car & Driver and Motor Trend, Car and Driver's 10 best included the Mazda3 & Mazda6. Not to mention your recent reliability and report card rankings (#3 and #2 out of 28 brands) which rival Lexus/Toyota. Meanwhile brands like Honda and Subaru have their egos in the clouds while their rankings are lower.
The livability/sportiness question for mainstream cars is interesting. I recently rented a Jetta and really enjoyed it's steering and nice interior. Unfortunately, the trans drove me nuts with it's excessive shifting in lower gears. While my Prius admittedly has much less driving feel, in stop and go situations I find it nicer to drive. Unfortunately most people drive in conditions that favor comfort over sportiness. I've noticed a difference in comments made during the Talking Cars series and the overall ratings. The ratings are probably about right for most people, the talking cars series provides the asterisk behind the ratings.
I just bought a 2015 Mazda6 Touring and love the fit, finish, handling, looks, economy, room, and comfort. The road noise is a bit too much for a car that aspires to be near-luxury. My biggest gripe is that I can't select a manual transmission with the higher trim levels. You can get it with the Touring, but not if you want satellite radio! Oh, you want satellite radio? Then you gotta get the sunroof. I'd be much more satisfied with the driving experience if the car had a stick.
Important note about the radio control system on the new Mazda6: you aren't actually forced to use the knob. The screen IS touch. But I much prefer the knob.
George,
All Acura models (including the TLX) have volume knobs. Also the 2015 Acura ILX with the manual transmission isn't paired with the smaller 2.0L engine, it's actually paired with the 2.4L.
I love Mazdas. Very fun to drive.
Great video guys thx and do you have any news on that SkyActive Diesel engine.
juan tafoya
Last I heard it could not meet California emission requirements even though it's fine in Europe and the rest of the US, and it's not cost feasible to make it compliant. Don't hold tour breath.
Can you all do a segment on the top picks for large families (5+)... other than a minivan.
Thanks love the channel!!
Hutch
After watching this video, I was in dis belief until I test drove the Acura ILX this morning. I'd have to say I am little disappointed. As for the Mazda 6, I just bought a 2016 grand touring model last month, with black on black custom 19' inch rims, that finally came in last Tuesday. I still own my 2008 Mazda 6 and yes for it to be at 167000 miles and the same tranny and engine are still transitioning smooth, a very reliable car indeed. To me I feel like the 6 is for young couples who start family and haven't hit that stage of wanting a extremely smooth vehicle just yet.
Reducing road noise isn't a huge problem. The main problems with the 2016 Mazda 6:
- Poor fuel economy of 26MPG according to Everyman Driver and TFL Car. That's below expectations and below average for this segment.
- Underpowered engine. This thing needs a turbo option ASAP.
- No AWD powertrain option.
- Gimmicky annoying tech features such as HUD and lane assist without really improving interior quality over the 2014/2015 models.
- Cheap plastics in the interior.
- Lack of headroom in the back seats.
Joshua Pirelli The HUD is useless and annoying.
Joshua Pirelli I think Mazda lost its footing recently. it's not addressing its reliability problems, instead it's chucking all these needless tech options into the car.
Joshua Pirelli Mazda has best fuel economy for 4 cylinder cars @37 hway, and 30 combined. Stop talking Shit and u don't know what's ur talking about
i own a mazda cx5 2015 and i do not see it noisy at all, i mean, 98% of the time the radio, fans are ON and you will hear no wind/road at all even with a medium-low volume, and if you turn those OFF is hardly noticeable, and you get a beautifull reliable car, so i will go with mazda till the end of time unless i can afford a lexus
The road noise is vastly different depending on road surface. A smooth road (new) and tire noise disappears. Maybe the zbart treatment in the wheel well would make a difference. The wheel well liners are very thin. Maybe adding a 100 lbs of sound material would be worth the loss of gas mileage. 28 to 29 is what I'm getting on country roads where speed limit changes every 5 miles.
I am in sales and drive about 30 to 40k a year. I have been looking at the Mazda 6 (such a great looking vehicle), a Subaru Legacy or Outback (AWD for the winter months and Outback may get the nod because I have a family and could use the space), or the VW Golf Sportwagen TDI (for the amazing fuel economy and I have a thing for wagons). I'm kind of stuck in a stailmate between the 3(4) listed. What am I missing?
I LOVE the controller system. I can no look change anything while Driving. The more you use the controller the more you like it. I actually did get down to Sonata 2.0T limited vs Mazda6 Grand Touring.
There are a lot of cars with standard or optional front collision avoidance systems. Perhaps it is time for CR to add a line to its data sheet under the safety section for cars to show if a car has such a system or not (similar to ABS or airbags).
I like the direction Mazda went with the new dash & infotainment. With that screen positioned where it is, they can lower the rest of the dash improving visibility, and put the graphics closer to your sight-line which improves safety. Haven't actually used it, though, so I can see the ergonomics taking some time to work out. I bet Mazda iterates and improves faster than iDrive and COMAND did after they launched.
Oddly, I found that the Mazda 3 has more headroom than the 6; the shape of the roofline now means that my head hits the top of the door opening when turning to look out the driver-side window.
They need to bring out the mazdaspeed3 and 6 ASAP!
I own CX5 AWD and am in love with this toy is strong agile responds quickly maneuverable, safe to drive brake on time .... LOVE MY CX5
OK, my OCD kicking in. One thing about the 2016 Mazda6 update is the front splitter. On the 2015 model, the leading edge of the front splitter is unpainted plastic. But for the 2016 update, it's painted. So of course after a short period of time, the leading edge of the splitter in the lower facia will be sand blasted.
Other than that, I the 6 would be my first choice for a mid-sized sedan.
Most of the noise I notice is from the tires ( Dunlop sport 5000 with a poor noise rating from tire rack) wish csr would test with other tires (goodyear)
+Sailor john Can't wait to wear mine out and swap them for something more quiet. Thinking about adding some sound deadening to the hatch too - it basically acts like a giant subwoofer for tire noise.
Mine came with Yokohamas , you can hardly hear any noise with radio OFF, no noice at all even with low volume
I just bought a new Mazda 6. Traded in a Kia Optima '13. Love the Mazda, but I was surprised at the interior wind noise at 40+ mph. And living in Florida, I miss the air cooled seats. Just wasn't an option.
My 2016 Mazda 6 is quiet as a mouse, they put Dunlaps on them also some have been let off the lot with the tires still at 45 PSI. Need to drop that to 35.
My wife's 2015 CX5 has a bit more noise but still not much of an issue. The only issue I have with them is that I wish the seats were a bit wider with a bit more thigh support.
thoughts on the juke, as a small SUV?
Mazda is great! Just look at how many Miata they sold over the past 25 years. I recently drove a 2014 CX-9 and it feels a smaller car to drive which is great. Responsive steering engine.It handle very well just like a big sport car. Will get a Mazda in the future.
Thanks for signing the song on the Acura ILX's true colors. Drove a "new" ILX, and then a VW Golf GTI from 2001...guess which felt more luxurious, and was faster....I wonder
n777ua Yeah, not really......
Just bought a Mazda 6 manual sport for less than $22,000. Best 4-door sedan I have ever owned.
Mazda could address some of their noise issue if they'd ditch the Dunlops (worst ultra-high performance tire according to TireRack) and go with comparable Michelins, Continentals, or BFGoodriches.
my cx5 came with 17" Yokohamas and i do not find it noisy at all, and after 24K miles and 2 years the tires are 95% great shape still
Please help. I am considering the 2017 Honda Accord Sport Manual or the 2017 Mazda 6 manual. Which one would be the most fun to drive? Which one would have the better transmission, better steering, better seating position? Keep up the good work.
Mazda hands down. I see honda accord owners stare at my mazda6.
Spot on on German and American car reliability. HORRIBLE costs in repairs and I had a friend who had a VW golf GTI, gear box change cost him 10,000 bucks. He sold the VW thereafter.
Every small repair you make, Japanese cars are inexpensive. The German cars need a lot of work just to change parts.
Those who want a German or American car must be prepared to factor in a lot more upkeep costs
I totally get what you're saying about the marriage of Ford/Mazda could have produced some killer vehicles, heavy emphasis on "could" as such partnerships rarely work out like they should, and didnt't while they were together. The fact is, both Ford and Mazda stepped up their game after the breakup, ironically the much smaller player (Mazda) is the only one that's still in the passenger car game in North America. Also ironically, I think a Focus ST based on the newly released platform could have been my GTI replacement in a couple years, but that wont be possible now. I am looking forward to seeing if Mazda has the balls to do a speed version of the upcoming redesigned Mazda 3...that could be the ticket.
Your comparing the ILX with focus??? Really?!?!? Every review of the 2016 ILX love them!! Sorry your comments makes no sense! Plus the sales of the new ILX will put you back in your seat for talking none sense.
Brian Vtec They're a trio of Mazda shills what do you expect. 16:20 I was incredulous to hear them spewing how a Focus drove like a luxury car by comparison to the ILX. What little credibility they think they still had as reviewers went right out the door. Larry Moe and Curly.
Many if not most folks buy Honda/Acura for reliability and fuel economy, and for that metric, the only competitor is Toyota. Less sporty = more reliability and fuel economy at every power level.
They can say all they want about Focus but something that gets a solid black dot in year 1 isn't even worth test driving for the typical Honda customer. They should know as the black dot was given by CR itself.
The ILX is a joke
The Focus IS a better car than the "Civic ILX."
The Focus IS a better car than the "Civic ILX."
to me....Mazda is the BMW Of Japanese brands
But you just said moments ago that you could not recommend the Jeep because of reliability and then you say the Golf is just so good you overlook the reliability of it. C'mon guys. I don't think we care either way but we all want consistency.
all of you sucks the ILX is a great car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, how is the road/wind noise of that car? I hear it's kinda noisy compare to other cars of its class. Is it really that bad? 2017 model should come out by next month already, according to what I read that the noise inside should be better with the new one coming. I'm thinking of getting this car, it's going to be my first Mazda brand, good reliability?
my 2015 cx5 with everything OFF is not "noisy", you can hardly hear the road or wind at high speed , and most of the times you have your AC, radio ON and even with low volume you can not hear any "noise", so this year model probably are even less noisy than that wich is low already
I like what Mazda is doing, but I wish they offered more powertrain options if you want something that is a bit more sporty instead of just sporty handling. To me that is the biggest thing they are missing. I mean the CX-5 is a nice car, but I know a guy that bought one as a family hauler and his wife just did not care for the small displacement naturally aspirated SkyActiv setup. (To be fair she was coming from an Xterra with a V6.) Long story short it just did not have the power she wanted: so in 12 months time they sold it and bought a Forester XT instead. The thing is, while yeah the Subaru is not as good in terms of fuel economy (especially given the XT requires premium): it gave her the power that she wanted, and it really did not cost anymore to buy than an upper level CX-5. Plus in terms of features... Mazda doe not really have a competitor to Subaru's eyesight system.
Kiitos
That's y I love Mazda, they are so true to what they really are.
Mazda 3 can get to 30k+ fully loaded right about the price range of vw golf. Also do this new mazda still have the rusting issue with their cars?
Jake hit the nail on the head about Mazda's.
What about Forester XT vs CX-5?
Mazda noise, as I understand it, is twofold. First, the true road noise can be attributable heavily to the lack of sound deadening for the sake of weight. A couple hundred bucks of dynamat correctly placed should help greatly at that. At the possible cost of an increase in weight. As for air/wind noise, that is a function of aerodynamics for gas mileage and good looks. Short of incorporating canceling noises in the stereo when off, I don't know what could be done about that. I would welcome your opinion on my interpretations. I've been a big fan of Mazdas for quite a while.
To me, Mazda's missing out on it's niche-brand status by not offering the Mazda6 wagon here in the US. The term "family sedan" is a bit of an oxymoron to me, as any family with two kids and a dog (or the desire to transport an object bigger than a suitcase or decent-sized cooler) is pointed towards a crossover. As good as the CX-5 is, I can't ignore the fact that it gets a whopping *12 fewer MPG* on the highway than the Mazda6 does. This argument applies to other brands, too, but I feel like Mazda is prime to pick up those prospective buyers.
The other Mazda not mentioned here is the Mazda5 - once a CR top pick before the lousy small-offset crash results, and now a disappointing example of brand neglect. Since it has no competition, apparently Mazda feels that there's no need to improve it. It still lacks the SkyActiv drivetrains / weight loss treatment, and fuel economy isn't much better than a full sized minivan. We would have bought one, but for $3k more we snagged a certified '11 Odyssey EX-L with only 20k miles on it. More car than we need, but it's a much better value.
If Mazda sold the 6 wagon for ~$25k, I'd trade in my numb-handling '08 Outback in a heartbeat. But as long as the crossover segment is where it's at, there's no point in offering a reasonable priced wagon.
Michael Schmitt Americans did not buy the Mazda 6 Wagon when it was offered just a few years ago. Hopefully one day wagons will be back in fashion but until then there will be a massive waste of gas in pushing SUVs through the air.
Michael Schmitt Totally agree, the Mazda6 wagon is gorgeous!
In pure opinion....Mazda did a great job making a more fun 2 drive Fusion...when they were revealing this version I remember a glass roof version & a V6?
The V6 would be a beauty with some HP.
Mazda hasn't had such style since.... 929(Euww) kidding, The Millennia was Supercharged & Nice!
The Fusion has what 9 engine options to Mazda 6's ONE?
I Can see Mazda 6 vs. Accord SPORT, not so much the Sonata .
I cant wait for mazda 6 to have hydraulic assist hood, since its mazda's flagship model
Love your bi-weekly discussions about cars, great job keep it up fellas. Now I need advise from the pros, I have a feeling you guys are my best bet :)
Me and my wife are looking to buy our first car, what we have now are family hand me downs that have well over 200k miles. Its us a baby seat and a dog. We are thinking small SUV or maybe a midsized sedan? Needs to be safe, reliable, efficient and under $25,000. We have considered the Santa Fe Sport and Mazda CX5. What are the reliability like? Also I don't want a CVT, I am of the few ppl that enjoys driving. So fun to drive would be nice.
I wish I could get a stick but my wife needs to drive it too. Any suggestions?
Thanks a million.
Rodion
Rodion Korniyenko May I respectfully suggest that your wife learns to drive a manual. There are hundreds of millions of drivers around the world who have accomplished the feat so it really CANNOT be that difficult.
On a big debate if I should get rid of my 2014 Corolla S when I turn 25 and get a Acura ILX A-Spec since my insurance will go down and I want a sportier car
There is no comparison to the Sonata with a Mazda 6. Mazda is simply a much more luxurious sporty feeling family sedan with great gas mileage against their competitors. Thank God they left Ford! Ford is great for reliability and solidity but they also suck on appeal style and fun even its gas efficiency (but I’d buy a ford before a Chevy, not including the Camero). I didn’t know all of that about the ILX but I believe it! Also, thank you for the review and all the info. but this was like being in a Sonata.. this was boring, I feel asleep 3x’s trying to keep interested. #ijs Oh, and thanks Gabe (I think?!) (Guy in auburn jacket) for the positive points and analogies about Mazda.
The screen IS touch, as long as you aren't moving.
John Edmond You are so right! I've sold Mazdas and BMWs. The Mazda command knob is incredibly intuitive and easy to use. I remember the BMW iDrive disaster in the early 2000s. Mazda solved the complexity by having direct buttons to the side of the control knob. These guys are the only ones I've heard complain about it...others praise it's intuitive ease.
we have a 2014 mazda6 grand touring with 53,000 miles on it and the car is awesome. however the updates to the 2016 high end 6 are even more awesome. wish they had done it this way to the 2014 version.
only thing that might be better is a subaru.
a curse on all cars over $40K
Hikermike56 Rest assured, although Subarus are good reliable cars, I cannot fathom how CR rated a Legacy as their top midsize sedan. It's vanilla. I'd take a Camry or Accord over the Legacy.
Mazda needs to fix their wind/road noise issue and this would be a no brainer. The Accord Sport offers good driving dynamics, good steering, a GREAT 6MT and far less road/wind noise. The mazda is the better drivers car in the class, but the Accord Sport is a close second.
Unfortunately, CX-5 doesn't come with power lift gate and air vent in the back seat..so I don't think Mazda is near the luxury brand yet..
Comparing a Focus to an ILX lmao these guys are ridiculous.
Guys. How is the road noise for 2018 Mazda 6 compared to 2016 model any noise improvement. Please comment. Looking to buy a car soon
"Sporty"😳. Which means loud, bumpy, jiggly and tiring.
I just got a 2017 Mazda 6. Noise wise, it does not impress me (I think only Lexus impresses me in terms of how quiet they are).
I do like the Mazda 6 overall though.
I have to say that I would have bought a Mazda, but they did not have a bigger engine and that is what I was looking for. So I went to Hyundai and bought the sonata turbo.
+consumer reportsGuys I was interested in what you said in the video ( used Audi or a new Mazda)actually this question is tearing me apartI am really confused between Audi A6 2013 & Mazda 2015 (because they're almost at the same price range)please help and give me piece of advice!
The biggest problem I've had with Mazda is their dealers and their in country main offices. You cannot contact the Japanese headquarters to alert them to the problem. They simply don't care. I have found that if you have a problem you are on your own.