The Mazda6 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Accord doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mazda6 Signature has standard Smart Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Accord doesn't offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Mazda6 Signature has a standard 360-degree View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Accord only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn't help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Mazda6 and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda6 is safer than the Honda Accord:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda6 is safer than the Honda Accord:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight's “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda6 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 35 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda6's reliability 15 points higher than the Accord.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda second in reliability. Honda is ranked 12th.

The Mazda6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition's standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 273) than the Accord's optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mazda6 4 cyl. is faster than the Honda Accord 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine's cylinders helps improve the Mazda6 (except Turbo)'s fuel efficiency. The Accord doesn't offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda6 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord (16.4 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Mazda6's front brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord:

The Mazda6 stops much shorter than the Accord:

The Mazda6 Grand Touring handles at .84 G's, while the Accord EX pulls only .81 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mazda6 Grand Touring executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Accord EX (27.1 seconds @ .63 average G's vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G's).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda6's turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Accord's (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Mazda6's turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Accord Sport Manual/2.0T's (36.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mazda6 Touring is quieter than the Accord Sport:

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Mazda6's trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don't intrude into the trunk. The Accord's useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Mazda6's standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord LX's standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can't share the rear seat.

The Mazda6's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Mazda6's power window and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Accord's power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mazda6's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Accord's standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can't turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don't exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Mazda6's headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Accord's headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Accord doesn't offer cornering lights.

The Mazda6's optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Accord offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don't dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Mazda6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mazda6 will cost $190 less than the Accord over a five-year period.

The Mazda6 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mazda6 will retain 45.59% to 48.35% of its original price after five years, while the Accord only retains -377.8% to 54%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mazda6 is less expensive to operate than the Accord because typical repairs cost much less on the Mazda6 than the Accord, including $101 less for a water pump, $100 less for a muffler, $300 less for a starter, $44 less for a fuel pump, $24 less for front struts and $397 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda6 and the Honda Accord, based on reliability, safety and performance.