Today Sweden's largest newspaper Aftonbladet published a big test in their weekly carspecial.
Mazda6 was up against Alfa 156, Audi A4, BMW 320i, Ford Mondeo V6, Saab 9-3 2,0 T and Volvo S60 2,4
The Mazda6 was the 2.3 Sport.
So, how did it do? Well, let me start from the beginning.
First the paper stated that all cars are actually very good, and so close that it is much a matter of personal taste which one to choose.
Then the battle began.
Round 1: To own. Ford wins just ahead of Mazda, Volvo (all with 4+) leaving Audi (3+) and BMW/Alfa Romeo (1+) behind.
The Ford wins due to the fact that it was cheaper than the others, despite a higher gas consumption.
Round 2: To drive. Saab gets 5+, with Mazda on second with 4+ (as all the others but BMW, that got only 3+). They state that Mazda is so good that it's only a matter of taste if you prefer it in front of BMW, Audi, Saab or Volvo.
Round 3: Comfort. I'll tell you right away: again this is not the strong side of the 6 in tests. Mazda gets beat up because of high road noise (we've seen tests that tells the opposite here, where they actually measured.) But Mazda also gets criticized for a bit rough ride. Grades: Saab and Volvo 4+, Ford, Audi and BMW 3+, Alfa 2+ and Mazda...well...1+ (sigh). [a personal remark here: this is silly and just because they didn't find anything to complain about - the car isn't as noisy as they say]
Round 4: Space. Despite that Mazda has as large interior space as Ford Mondeo and also a LARGER trunk, the paper places Ford ahead of Mazda. Both gets 4+ though with Saab 3+ and the rest of the cars getting 2+ only.
Round 5: Safety. It's strange that they keep comparing cars that have been tested in Euro-NCAP with those that weren't and keep giving lower grades to those that weren't. That punishes Mazda here. Saab and Volvo gets full score (5+); Audi, Ford and BMW 4+, Mazda 3+ and Alfa also 3+.
Round6: Feeling. Well, no surprise is that BMW, Saab and Volvo (the two latter which are swedish car makers - GM/Ford owned though) scores a full 5+. Alfa, Audi and Mazda (in that order) gets 4+ and Ford 3+. They like the Mazda (but thinks the Alu-look interior is a bit youthish) but again punishes the Mazda for high noise and a bit rough ride.
Another thing the paper says about the Mazda6 is that they find the headlights insufficient. "When it gets dark outside, the lack of headlights become obvious. The Xenon lights are half-good but the headlight with projection technique is useless. Perhaps the worst I've seen in a modern car". Well, that's harsch.
Mada gets an overall score of 3+ (Alfa 2+, Audi 4+, BMW 3+, Ford 4+, Saab 4+ and Volvo 4+). Mazda's final verdict: "Fast, safe with a sporty body and 166 hp, Mazda6 can fight the prestigeous brands - and do it well. The new Mazda6 is fast, safe and has fine handling and engine. Large interior space and big trunk.
If I count the number of +'es:
Saab 9-3 26
Volvo S60 24
Mazda6 20
Audi 20 (same as Mazda6, still Audi got a better over-all score)
BMW 18
Alfa 16
As I said: Saab and Volvo are Swedish makes. Could you tell?
:sarc
Mazda6 was up against Alfa 156, Audi A4, BMW 320i, Ford Mondeo V6, Saab 9-3 2,0 T and Volvo S60 2,4
The Mazda6 was the 2.3 Sport.
So, how did it do? Well, let me start from the beginning.
First the paper stated that all cars are actually very good, and so close that it is much a matter of personal taste which one to choose.
Then the battle began.
Round 1: To own. Ford wins just ahead of Mazda, Volvo (all with 4+) leaving Audi (3+) and BMW/Alfa Romeo (1+) behind.
The Ford wins due to the fact that it was cheaper than the others, despite a higher gas consumption.
Round 2: To drive. Saab gets 5+, with Mazda on second with 4+ (as all the others but BMW, that got only 3+). They state that Mazda is so good that it's only a matter of taste if you prefer it in front of BMW, Audi, Saab or Volvo.
Round 3: Comfort. I'll tell you right away: again this is not the strong side of the 6 in tests. Mazda gets beat up because of high road noise (we've seen tests that tells the opposite here, where they actually measured.) But Mazda also gets criticized for a bit rough ride. Grades: Saab and Volvo 4+, Ford, Audi and BMW 3+, Alfa 2+ and Mazda...well...1+ (sigh). [a personal remark here: this is silly and just because they didn't find anything to complain about - the car isn't as noisy as they say]
Round 4: Space. Despite that Mazda has as large interior space as Ford Mondeo and also a LARGER trunk, the paper places Ford ahead of Mazda. Both gets 4+ though with Saab 3+ and the rest of the cars getting 2+ only.
Round 5: Safety. It's strange that they keep comparing cars that have been tested in Euro-NCAP with those that weren't and keep giving lower grades to those that weren't. That punishes Mazda here. Saab and Volvo gets full score (5+); Audi, Ford and BMW 4+, Mazda 3+ and Alfa also 3+.
Round6: Feeling. Well, no surprise is that BMW, Saab and Volvo (the two latter which are swedish car makers - GM/Ford owned though) scores a full 5+. Alfa, Audi and Mazda (in that order) gets 4+ and Ford 3+. They like the Mazda (but thinks the Alu-look interior is a bit youthish) but again punishes the Mazda for high noise and a bit rough ride.
Another thing the paper says about the Mazda6 is that they find the headlights insufficient. "When it gets dark outside, the lack of headlights become obvious. The Xenon lights are half-good but the headlight with projection technique is useless. Perhaps the worst I've seen in a modern car". Well, that's harsch.
Mada gets an overall score of 3+ (Alfa 2+, Audi 4+, BMW 3+, Ford 4+, Saab 4+ and Volvo 4+). Mazda's final verdict: "Fast, safe with a sporty body and 166 hp, Mazda6 can fight the prestigeous brands - and do it well. The new Mazda6 is fast, safe and has fine handling and engine. Large interior space and big trunk.
If I count the number of +'es:
Saab 9-3 26
Volvo S60 24
Mazda6 20
Audi 20 (same as Mazda6, still Audi got a better over-all score)
BMW 18
Alfa 16
As I said: Saab and Volvo are Swedish makes. Could you tell?
:sarc
