El D-segment, the one of sedans stockings, has fallen very noticeably in recent years; and it is that the new compact SUV models are snatching sales by leaps and bounds. This traditional category currently only represents 5% of sales in our country, and I am afraid that the majority are company vehicles. Many individuals bet on the medium crossover.
Most of the models that have maintained their sales records well are those belonging to premium brands, such as the Mercedes C-Class, the Audi A4 or the BMW 3 Series. Today we compare two average sedans which are right between the premium and general brands, being slightly closer to the former than to the latter. We refer to the Mazda6 y Volkswagen Passat. Which one is better and in what section does each one stand out?
Mazda is doing a great job in all its models for a few years, with designs that are as attractive as they are timeless and betting on the quality of their finishes, as we recently verified during the mazda 6 wagon test. For its part, Volkswagen harnesses the gallons harvested for decades, betting on a continuous but very effective style, as we tell you in the Volkswagen Passat saloon test. These two statements are perfectly reflected in the protagonists that we compare today.
Exterior design
We start by taking a quick look at its exterior design. The Mazda 6 of this third generation has received a makeover during this year 2018, although the cosmetic changes are minimal. The Japanese model continues betting on some very elegant lines, using a very vertical front where the grill is large. The touch of the new chrome trim that guards the aforementioned grille, as well as the LED headlights, increases that elegant car cache, but also gives its point of character dynamic.
Meanwhile, he Current Volkswagen Passat was born in 2015 maintaining the philosophy of the German brand, who takes to the letter that of "if it works, don't change it”. The evolution from one generation to another is usually very timid. the horizontality, looking for a greater visual sensation of width, becomes very important in the front, with a multitude of slats that connect the headlights to the grill, and others in the lower part of the bumper.
The silhouettes are quite similar on these two cars, with three very marked volumes in their sedan bodies. Although many new models in this category, such as the Peugeot 508 or the Opel Insignia, have made an effort to offer a more coupe-like silhouette, with a softer roof drop that starts earlier and a more integrated boot lid , both the Mazda 6 and the Volkswagen Passat use a more classic cut.
Moving and going to your rear, the Japanese model makes its Asian origin clear with more marked features in its pilot lights, which are partially pierced by a new chrome trim. The Passat bets on German seriousness, with a marked cover and straight lines, improving the loading mouth with respect to its opponent. That yes, the lower part of the Mazda transmits greater sportiness due to the double exhaust outlet.
Interior design and qualities
We continue with the comparison of the Mazda 6 and the Volkswagen Passat, now taking a look at its interior. We come across two cars using different solutions for the design style of the cabin, while maintaining the logic in both cases. The good quality of finishes is common in them, approaching, as we said at the beginning, models considered as premium.
Starting with the dashboard, in the Mazda sedan we find a color screen of up to 8 inches in the upper area. It is not very integrated with the design and the line of the dashboard, but it has the advantage that it forces us to take our eyes off the road less. In addition, in motion it is handled with the console controls and not from the screen itself. The Volkswagen screen is touch screen and its size, in the most equipped versions, is up to 8 inches. The fluidity and simplicity of handling is better in the Passat.
In terms of vision technology, referring to the handling and display of the infotainment systems and to the quality of systems such as, for example, the visibility of the reversing camera, the Volkswagen Passat is far above of the Mazda6. This is one of the weak points of the Mazda and one of the strongest of the Volkswagen. By the way, both have synchronization for smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In the section on instrument panels, the Volkswagen Passat beats the Mazda6 by a landslide. The reason is that the German model uses a fully digital and highly customizable instrument panel, the famous Digital Cockpit, while the Japanese model mixes analog dials with a small screen for trip information. That yes, the Head-Up Display of the Japanese, which is standard in the entire range, shortens the distances.
La sense of perceived quality in both it is very good, with very appropriate materials in almost all the elements. We already knew this facet well in the models of the German firm, but it will surprise, for good, in those people who are not so familiar with the products of the Japanese firm. Finally, in terms of storage compartments, both have several, but most of them are larger in the Passat.
Exterior dimensions, interior space and trunk capacity
| Length | Width | Height | Battle | Trunk capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Width | Height | Battle | Trunk capacity | |
| Mazda6 Sedan | 4.870 mm | 1.840 mm | 1.480 mm | 2.830 mm | 480 liters |
| Mazda6 Wagon | 4.805 mm | 1.840 mm | 1.480 mm | 2.750 mm | 522 liters |
| Volkswagen Passat | 4.767 mm | 1.832 mm | 1.456 mm | 2.791 mm | 586 liters |
| Volkswagen Passat Variant | 4.767 mm | 1.832 mm | 1.477 mm | 2.791 mm | 650 liters |
As you can see in the table above, the Mazda 6 is slightly longer than the Volkswagen Passat, also using a battle that is 4 cm higher in sedan bodies. The width dimension is quite similar, while the trunk capacity is clearly higher in the Passat.
Si we compare the interior space, in the front seats we will go very loose in all directions in both models. Sitting already in the rear squares we find that the Passat offers more headroom, and that legroom is pretty much the same. The differences between one and the other are minimal, and four relatively tall adults will travel comfortably.
They are not practical cars for trips with five people, as in all cars in this category. The transmission tunnel is quite noticeable, so it noticeably reduces the space for the feet of the fifth occupant. In addition, behind the back of this seat there is an armrest, so the back will suffer. As usual, the central square is narrower and harder, being also higher, so the space for the head is less.
We open the porters and we find that the Volkswagen Passat, despite having a shorter body length and wheelbase than the Mazda6, gets much more cargo space. The difference is remarkable, with around 20% more space for German. In addition, the shapes of the boot lid and the loading opening are more advantageous for the Passat.
The Mazda cubic 480 and 522 liters in its sedan and family versions respectively; while the Volkswagen has 586 and 650 liters. The European wins by a landslide in this section. So, the Passat is more practical for those families who make trips usually with the trunk loaded, both in its four-door version and in the family version.
Bodywork offer
While the Mazda6 is only offered in Sedan (four-door) and Wagon (estate) bodies, the Passat is available in Sedan (four-door), Variant (estate) bodies, and a lesser-known and more adventurous third, the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack. This latest bodywork of the German sedan gives it a more country look, with a higher headroom to the ground and all-wheel drive to allow its drivers to leave the asphalt with greater safety.
Regarding the Finished, ordered from less to more equipment, the car of Mazda 6 it is available in the Evolution, Zenith and Signature levels, being able to add some special trim packages for the interior. For his part, the Volkswagen Passat It has the finishes Edition, Advance, Sport and R-Line.
mechanical offer
In the mechanical range we found many differences between both brands and models in the engines used, although the power levels are similar. While the Volkswagen Passat bets on smaller and supercharged engines, the Mazda6 has larger displacement for all its mechanics and, in the case of the gasoline range, they do not resort to turbocharging, obtaining good performance figures thanks to higher compression ratios. We describe them:
Mazda6 engines
| Denomination | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
| 2.0 Skyactiv-G | 1.998 cc | 145 hp (6.000 rpm) | 213 Nm (4.000) | 6.3 l / 100 km |
| 2.5 Skyactiv-G | 2.488 cc | 194 hp (6.000 rpm) | 258 Nm (4.000) | 6.7 l / 100 km |
| 2.2 Skyactiv-D | 2.191 cc | 150 hp (4.500 rpm) | 380 Nm (1.800) | 4.4 l / 100 km |
| 2.2 Skyactiv-D | 2.191 cc | 184 hp (4.000 rpm) | 445 Nm (2.000) | 5.4 l / 100 km |
Volkswagen Passat engines
| Denomination | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
| 1.5 TSI ACT | 1.498 cc | 150 hp (5.000 rpm) | 250 Nm (1.500) | 5.3 l / 100 km |
| 2.0 TDI | 1.968 cc | 150 hp (3.500 rpm) | 340 Nm (1.750) | 4.2 l / 100 km |
| 2.0 TDI | 1.968 | 190 hp (3.500 rpm) | 400 Nm (1.750) | 4.5 l / 100 km |
La current mechanical offer of both models is somewhat short, but the available versions are quite logical and, in our market, what most customers are looking for. These are variants with enough power to move with solvency without becoming “explosive” engines. Depending on the versions we can choose the manual or automatic change.
At least for the moment, neither of the two saloons is available in hybrid or electric versions. The Passat, for its part, if it has offered a plug-in hybrid mechanics with a name Volkswagen Passat GTE, but not currently available. Meanwhile, the Hiroshima brand continues to clearly bet on highly efficient gasoline mechanics.
dynamic behavior
When we look for a D-segment model, as they are the two protagonists that we compare today in these lines, we hope to receive a comfortable vehicle to make long trips and with adjusted consumption. Let's get on one and the other, and see how each one behaves in each situation that we may face.
The truth is that, on long trips, both show exceptional ride quality. They are very well insulated from the outside in terms of aerodynamic and road noise, which improves ride comfort on long journeys and reduces fatigue. As usual, diesel engines are somewhat noisier than the gasoline ones when we rev them, but the sensation is very good in any case.
For his part, the moron of the suspensions they filter very well the possible potholes that we can find in our path, as well as the expansion joints of the bridges. They absorb really well and, together with very well-made soft seats, they ensure that even the most abrupt irregularities do not bother the occupants. In this sense, the differences are minimal between one and another model, being difficult to assess one better than another. A ten for both.
The diesel engines Both models are very powerful, with good torque to maintain speed even on steep slopes when driving with several occupants and the trunk up. All diesel engines available in these two vehicles are efficient, with low fuel consumption, although it is true that the Passat's 2-liter TDI block is somewhat more economical.
As we said before, the gasoline mechanics are very different. While the Volkswagen sedan bets on the 1.5 hp 150 TSI, with supercharging and cylinder deactivation system, the gasoline engines of the Mazda are atmospheric. This has its advantages and disadvantages for the Japanese sedan.
La main advantage is that it offers greater smoothness of operation, something that is especially noticeable at low speed. However, the counterpart is that the engine torque generated is lower and, furthermore, it is reached at a higher rotational speed. The feeling that the driver can experience if he does not make good use of the gearbox to rev the engine is that the car does not run, it drowns.
For this reason, if we opt for a gasoline Mazda 6, be it the 145 hp version or the 194 hp version, we will have to make a increased use of the gearbox when we require intense acceleration, reducing one or two gears when facing a steep hill on the highway, especially if we go with the car heavily loaded. I understand that there may be drivers who do not like this detail.
Where the Japanese model does beat the German is in the dynamic sensations. For those drivers who enjoy twisting roads in their path, the Mazda6 offers a more dynamic behavior. It is not that it is a sports sedan, because it is not, but the Sensations transmitted by the Mazda are superior, with more precise steering and better shift feel in the manual versions.
Security systems
As almost always, when talking about active safety systems and driving assistants, it depends on the level of finish chosen, as well as the optional systems that we have acquired in the purchase process. In any case, the Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6 come well equipped, with some more standard systems on the Mazda.
Among the safety systems and driving assistants we can mention emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control or 360-degree vision cameras. There is, of course, other systems that make life easier, such as the presence sensor in the blind spot, involuntary lane change alert with steering control and the always recommended parking sensors.
EuroNCAP results
Both the Mazda 6, which passed the tests in October 2018 (with the launch of the restyling), and the Volkswagen Passat, which passed them in December 2014, obtain the prestigious 5 stars EuroNCAP in the famous crash tests. These have been the points obtained in each section.
| Mazda 6 | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda 6 | Volkswagen Passat | |
| adult occupant | 95% | 85% |
| child occupant | 91% | 87% |
| Pedestrians | 66% | 66% |
| Active security | 73% | 76% |
The differences are minimal between one and another model, in almost all the evaluated aspects. The biggest variance comes in adult occupant protection, where the Mazda6 gets a 95% rating, while the Volkswagen Passat gets 85%. In any case, we must be fair and point out that the Passat has not yet received an update as the Mazda has done.
Pricing
Any purchase depends largely on the Price of the product, so let's see what are the reference prices of these two cars that we compare today as indicated in the official configurators for our country.
El starting price of the Mazda 6 is 30.375 euros, which corresponds to the 2.0 Skyactiv-G mechanical version of 145 hp with manual transmission and the Evolution trim level. For its part, the Volkswagen Passat in Advance finish and with the 1.5 hp 150 TSI engine associated with the manual transmission starts at 31.375 euros, this being the cheapest version that appears in the configurator.
On the opposite side, the butt version range for the Mazda6 corresponds to the Signature trim level and the 2.2 hp 184 diesel engine with automatic transmission, obtaining a price (without adding optional) of 42.375 euros. The most expensive Volkswagen Passat without adding options is a Sport finish with a 2.0 hp 190 TDI engine and DSG transmission, which starts at 41.290 euros.
As normally this type of car is usually bought with diesel mechanics, we are going to see how a level of medium-high finish and with the 150 CV diesel mechanics. For him Mazda6 We opted for the Zenith finish and the 2.2 hp 150 Skyactiv-D engine, which has a starting price of $35.525. Meanwhile, in the Passat We choose the Sport trim level with the 2.0 hp 150 TDI mechanics, which has a starting price of $37.250.
The outstanding equipment of the Mazda 6 Zenith would be:
- Alloy wheels in 19 inches
- Adaptive Full LED headlights and LED taillights
- 7-inch screen in the instrument cluster
- Hands-free entry and start
- Bose sound system with 11 speakers
- Darkened rear windows
- Leather gear lever and steering wheel covers
- adaptive cruise control and speed limiter
- Rain and light sensors (with automatic long)
- blind spot monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Detector
- Emergency braking in the city with pedestrian recognition
- Signal recognition
- 360 degree view camera
- Fatigue detector
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
For its part, the equipment of the Volkswagen Passat Sport would include:
- 18-inch wheels
- Full LED headlights and LED rear lights
- Darkened rear windows
- Heated and electrically adjustable front seats
- Leather steering wheel and gear knob
- Front and rear parking sensors
- emergency call service
- 8 speakers
- Screen in the instrument panel (not to be confused with a fully digital panel)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Discover Pro Navigator with 8-inch touch screen
- Fatigue detector
- Headlight washer
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Conclusions
Both cars are two midsize D-segment saloons which, due to their quality, are between the models of the general brands and the well-known premium trio made up of the Audi A4, BMW Serie 3 and Mercedes C-Class, being, in my opinion, closer to the luxurious ones than to the general ones.
Opt for one or the other It will depend on what the customer values. If we value design and dynamic behavior more, it is better to opt for the Mazda6; while if we are somewhat more conservative and seek maximum space, it will be advisable to Volkswagen Passat. For price, we have already seen that they are very similar, although it is true that the Japanese brings a little more equipment in the most accessible trim levels.
Mazda6 Wagon 2.0 Skyactiv-G 145 HP |
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 150 hp |
|---|---|
| 4.5 star rating | 4 star rating |
| €30.375 a €43.825 | €31.000 a €47.600 |
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other rivals
Few are the direct rivals of these two models because, as I said at the beginning, there are many brands that have given up on this category and have invested the resources saved in SUV models. With a similar position remains the new Peugeot 508 (you can see our test with video), which has meant a brutal change compared to the previous generation, using a much more youthful, sporty and technological design, also improving the materials used in the construction of the interior, that is, improving its quality. Their starting price is 27.250 euros with a 130 hp diesel engine.
Positive points Mazda 6
- Very slim and elegant design
- Great standard equipment
Negative points Mazda 6
- trunk capacity
- Absence of turbo in gasoline mechanics, which makes it somewhat more demanding
Positive points Volkswagen Passat
- Some more space in the rear seats and greater volume of the trunk
- Very high interior qualities
Negative points Volkswagen Passat
- Too conservative design
- Slightly higher price with slightly lower equipment
More information about this model
- Plazas 5
- Power 150 - 265 hp
- Consumer goods 5 - 5,7l/100km
- Assessment 4,7