Mazda3 vs Mazda6: Which one is right for you?

Our team here at Tom Bush Mazda in Jacksonville, FL is here to help you find your next new car. With good options like the Mazda3 and Mazda6, it can be hard to find the right one for you. For drivers from Brunswick, GA, test driving the vehicles can help you match the right car, and this comparison can help you narrow down the options. Read on and then check out the Mazda of your choosing in-person at Tom Bush Mazda, located less than 45 minutes outside of St. Augustine.

New Changes

Both the Mazda3 and Mazda6 now come standard with the i-ACTIVSENSE® system that provides you with a range of driver-assist features to keep you safe, even when taking a trip out to Jacksonville Beach.

Both the Mazda3 and Mazda6 carryover the 2.5L 4-cylinder SKYACTIV®-G engine with the Mazda6 also retaining the turbocharged option as well.

The interiors of both models have stayed relatively the same with similar color, material, and design options.

Performance

The 186-horsepower 2.5-liter SKYACTIV®-G engine, standard on both models, travels up to 35 mpg on the highway outside of Gainesville, for fuel-efficiency. The 2019-2020 Mazda6 models also have the option of equipping a Dynamic Pressure Turbocharged engine that generates up to 250-horsepower and up to 310 pound-feet of torque.

The Mazda3 can be equipped with the i-ACTIV® AWD system, introduced for new 2020 models. It will monitor and keep track of external temperatures, your steering, brake usage, and even windshield wiper usage to adapt the power and braking to help increase traction when you need it.

With the Mazda6, you have a front-wheel drive design that is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-Wheel drive has yet to make its appearance on the latest 2019 or 2020 models of the Mazda6.

Technology

The 2020 Mazda6 has the option of equipping the 360-degree View Monitor. It makes use of a combination of four cameras and eight parking sensors to give you a full view of what's around you. It can make parking and maneuvering in tight locations throughout Riverside, FL easier. The 360-degree view monitor is unavailable entirely on both the Mazda3 four-door sedan and five-door hatchback.

Both models come standard with the MAZDA CONNECT™ infotainment system. The system comes equipped with USB ports and an audio input to help connect your smartphone to the 8.8-inch screen.

Through the 2020 Mazda3 hatchback, and its in-vehicle display, you have compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features on all trims. You can play music from within your Mazda and use the Commander control to control the different features without getting distracted. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® capability are standard conveniences of the Mazda3 hatchback and come available on select trims of the Mazda3 sedan and the Mazda6 sedan.

Interior

Each Mazda is designed to help you block out outside noises to help minimize distractions. They make use of sound-insulating glass, acoustic insulation, and the shape of the interior to reduce wind and road noises.

On the Signature trim of the Mazda6, you'll find a luxurious interior with Nappa leather seating and Sen wood trim. The Mazda6 has the option of equipping ventilated front seats that can improve airflow to help you stay cool and dry. Interestingly, ventilated seats are unavailable on the Mazda3 and its variants.

Both the Mazda6 and Mazda3 are designed to help you stay comfortable with its ergonomic design. The seats are designed to help you sit with proper posture. If you want to enjoy some additional cargo space, in addition to a spacious passenger volume, we would recommend the Mazda3 hatchback.

You have room for up to five passengers, on both the Mazda3 and Mazda6, with a range of options such as cloth, leatherette, and leather seats. To help you stay warm, the front seats can also be heated as well.

Safety

Whichever Mazda sedan that you choose, both of them are equipped standard in the new model year with the i-ACTIVSENSE® suite. Some of the standard features include Pre-Collision safety technology. This system will monitor how closely you're driving to vehicles in front of you and warn you of an impending front end collision.

Other safety features like the High Beam Control can help you make the most of your high beams. If there's a vehicle ahead or the system detects oncoming vehicles, it will automatically switch the lights to low beams.

The Lane Departure Warning system comes into play when you are traveling at speeds of at least 37 mph. It will scan the lane markers on the road and give you three types of warnings: audio, physical, and visual alerts if you start to drift from your lane. All of these safety features come standard on all trims of the Mazda3 and Mazda6.

Test Drive a New Mazda Today!

As you can see for yourself, both of these options afford you a great deal of advantages, so you really cannot go wrong with either. We invite you to choose a Mazda3 or Mazda6 midsize model for yourself today here at Tom Bush Mazda in Jacksonville, FL. Shoppers can find us less than a 25-minute drive away from Ponte Vedra Beach; we hope to hear from you soon!