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Get These Cars at 0% APR Right NowHead-to-Head: Mazda6 vs Toyota Camry
The Mazda6 is one of the market’s best sedans and features real luxury features but we want to know if it’s better than the Toyota Camry.
Which car is the Economy Sedan King?
Mazda has discontinued the Mazda6 following the 2021 model year and despite rumors that it might soon return, we think it’s worth seeing how the outgoing product matches up with the 2022 king of economy sedans. That’s been the Toyota Camry for a long time and it’s earned that title through consistent reliability, solid build quality, and above-average fuel economy. Now, we’re going to find out what happens when you take these two excellent sedans and compare them down to the tiniest details. Will the Mazda6 come out as the car we’ll all miss moving forward? Or will the Toyota Camry be so good that we forget the Mazda6 altogether?
2021 Mazda6 vs 2022 Toyota Camry Specs
Both of these sedans come with a great base package. Each one has a full suite of driver aids including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision mitigation, and automatic high beams. Each one also starts with 17-inch wheels, front-wheel-drive, and an automatic transmission. Here’s where they’re different.
The Toyota uses a 203-horsepower engine and an eight-speed transmission as its base power plant. The EPA estimates that it’ll get a maximum of 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. That version starts at $26,420. To get the optional engine available on the Camry, which is a 301-horsepower V6, you’ll need to pay at least $31,170. It gets up to 22 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. One leg up the Camry has is that it also offers a hybrid powertrain that can achieve 51 mpg in the city and 53 on the highway. The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $28,505.
The Mazda6 offers less power in base form with a 187-horsepower four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic. That base trim starts at $25,470 and offers 26 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway according to the EPA. Bump up to the Grand Touring model of the 6 and you’ll get a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with EPA estimated mileage of 23 in the city and 31 on the highway. It’ll cost around $31,000 if you can still find one on a new-car dealer lot.
Driving Characteristics
These two cars separate themselves even more once you’re behind the wheel. The Camry is as it has always been, reliable, sturdy, and unpretentious. It’s great visibility makes it easy to place in traffic and a revised suspension makes it better to drive than any previous Camry by far. It features good steering feedback that’s light on center and heavier as turn-in is increased.
Braking is likewise improved over previous generations and offers good linear feel throughout the whole pedal stroke. Power is solid too. The four-cylinder is more engaging than Mazda’s base motor and the V6 is by far the best of the quartet here. To put it simply, the Camry is a comfortable and confidence-inspiring everyday cruiser without any big blemishes to speak of from a driver’s perspective.
Where the Mazda6 shines is where driving dynamics take a back seat to practicality. The suspension and steering feedback is much sharper than the Camry could ever hope to be. Clearly, Mazda has applied much of what it’s learned during the development of the MX-5 and previous 6s. We’d even go so far as to say that it’s the best handling front-wheel-drive sedan on sale in this segment. While practicality isn’t the main focus in the Mazda, it’s also not an afterthought. Visibility is still great, it’s not so sporty that it’s uncomfortable, and it’s actually much quieter than the inside of the Camry.
Interior Comfort
Toyota offers a wide range of interior comfort in the Camry. The lower-tier trims aren’t very slick or stylish but they are spacious. All trims offer supportive seating in both front and rear seats and great cargo space too. We also like the Lexus-like styling on higher-end trims with a large central infotainment system and solid switchgear. There’s a big gap between some trims so be sure to check out others if you’re looking at one that’s too posh or too plastic for your liking. Keep in mind too that none are particularly quiet once on the road.
Mazda went down a slightly different road with regard to the 6. It’s not quite as spacious and it features a little less cargo space as well. The back seats stand out as less spacious than the Camry. The tradeoff feels worth it to us though because every single surface in the 2021 Mazda6 feels excellent regardless of trim level. Each one feels like it should cost more than it does. The top trims feel like they could be lower-end luxury cars.
Trims and Features
Toyota offers five different trim levels for the Camry in 2022. All but the TRD can be had with a hybrid powertrain but each comes standard with a normal four-cylinder engine. The base LE gets LED headlights, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 7-inch infotainment system featuring both Android and Apple connectivity.
A step above LE is the 2022 Toyota Camry SE featuring paddle-shifters, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sport tuned suspension, and faux-leather upholstery. The XLE is the first trim with an available V6 and also adds real leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a larger 9-inch infotainment system.
Above The XLE is the XSE with its sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, gloss-black grille, and dual exhaust. The TRD tops the range with the V6 as standard, special 19-inch wheels, TRD-specific trim, and a sports exhaust.
The very top of the 2022 Toyota Camry range is the Signature with its combination of faux suede and wood interior trim, upgraded leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, and a 360-degree camera system.
Mazda sells the 6 in six trim levels. The first is called Sport and it comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187-horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It sends that power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic. It also gets 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android and Apple connectivity.
Above that is the Touring model which adds 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, heated seats, rear climate vents, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
The Grand Touring is the first trim to feature the turbocharged four-cylinder engine with its 250-horsepower. It also gets paddle shifters, satellite radio, and wireless connectivity for Android and Apple devices.
Those who want to taste serious luxury should look at the Grand Touring Reserve with its 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and heads-up display.
The Carbon Edition is new for 2021 and amounts to a trim package for the GTR with unique grey paint, black wheels, and red leather upholstery.
The Signature 6 is the top of the line and gets navigation, a 360-degree camera system, upgraded leather upholstery, and ambient interior lighting.
2021 Mazda6 vs 2022 Toyota Camry – Which one to we choose?
Picking between these cars is like deciding between two great albeit very different dishes at a restaurant. The Camry is a reliable and highly flexible platform. Want power, efficiency, practicality, reliability, and value? You can get those things (albeit not at the same time) from a Camry. The Mazda6 is for those who prioritize the experience of driving over the practical benefits that the Camry can offer. Neither is bad, but the Camry is the more grown-up, and well-rounded, choice.
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