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 Hybrid doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

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 Hybrid 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.

The Mazda6 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle's blind spots where the side view mirrors don't reveal them. Only the Accord Hybrid EX/EX-L/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mazda6 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Accord Hybrid EX/EX-L/Touring has a cross-path warning system.

Both the Mazda6 and the Accord Hybrid 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 Hybrid:

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 Hybrid:

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight's “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda6 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 97 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord Hybrid is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

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 21 points higher than the Accord Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda 14th in reliability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

The Mazda6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition's standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (250 vs. 212) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 232) than the Accord Hybrid's 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mazda6 4 cyl. is faster than the Honda Accord Hybrid:

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 Hybrid doesn't offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda6 has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid (16.4 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Mazda6 stops shorter than the Accord Hybrid:

The Mazda6 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn't available on the Accord Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Mazda6's turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Accord Hybrid's (36.7 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Mazda6's turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Accord Touring Hybrid's (36.7 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

The Mazda6 is 3.4 inches shorter than the Accord Hybrid, making the Mazda6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Hybrid's useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

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 Hybrid's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Hybrid'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 Hybrid's headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 $465 less than the Accord Hybrid over a five-year period.

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