For many automakers, the sedan is ordinary. Phoned in. The segment is little more than a bunch of daily drivers whose sole focus is seemly to be as drab as possible. Luckily for us, Mazda is here to stir up the monotony. The 2020 Mazda6 midsize sedan breaks the economy car mold without breaking the bank.
Today, we’re comparing the 2020 Mazda6 Grand Touring and the 2020 Toyota Camry XLE. Both models come in at just under $30,000. But make no mistake, both vehicles offer very different experiences. Take look for yourself.
2020 Mazda6 Grand Touring |
vs |
2020 Toyota Camry XLE |
$29,800 |
MSRP |
$29,455 |
2.5L turbo 4-cyl |
Engine |
2.5L 4-cyl |
250 hp / 320 lb-ft* |
Horsepower / Torque |
203 hp / 184 lb-ft |
6-speed auto |
Transmission |
8-speed auto |
FWD |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
23/31/26 |
Fuel Economy |
27/38/31 |
*when using Premium fuel; with regular fuel, it has 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
One look at the chart and it’s easy to see: the 2020 Mazda6 is more powerful. When equipped with the turbo-four, the Mazda6 has some pretty crazy numbers. Even when the Camry is equipped with the optional 3.5L V6 (which costs about $5,000 extra), it only hits 267 lb-ft of torque. Since torque is a huge factor in acceleration and responsiveness, especially in low-RPM situations like accelerating from a stop, the extra 136 lb-ft of torque the Mazda6 Grand Touring has gives it a drive-feel more like a sports car than a daily commuter. Coupled with the excellent steering and handling that Mazda is renowned for and the 2020 Camry doesn’t stand a chance.
In recent years, Mazda has been bridging the gap between entry level consumer models and full-on luxury vehicles. The Grand Touring comes with synthetic leather upholstery, but genuine leather and even European-sourced Nappa leather upholstery can be found higher up the ranks. The Grand Touring trim also get a premium 11-speaker Bose sound system, which pairs well with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. Regardless of trim, the Mazda6 oozes KODO-inspired design, a philosophy that focuses on minimalism, grace, and the joy of motion. In short, the Mazda6, even at the mid-tier Grand Touring level, feels like a luxury vehicle. The 2020 Toyota Camry just doesn’t compare. With its by-the-numbers interior design and downright outdated multimedia system, even leather upholstery doesn’t save the Camry from being boring.
Want to learn more about the 2020 Mazda6? Give Capistrano Mazda a call.