MT tests Japanese sport sedans... Nissan notably absent.

[AZhitman]

Interesting that the Altima isn't even mentioned. They noted that Ford couldn't provide a Fusion for the test, but the Altima wasn't even considered, apparently.

Motor Trend Sport Sedan Test - Accord vs Camry vs Mazda6

Someone should look at the specs on Page 3 and see where the 2013 Altima would have fared against these three.

[gwoods]

Hey I'm somebody pretty much in the middle above the Accord below the 6 on almost everything.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/one ... l_arrival/

[DrewH]

That's quite the snub if you ask me and is it just me or is the new Mazda6's front end atrocious? Ever since I saw the first release pictures I immediately thought it was the Edsel incarnate.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

The HP ratings of the three and the '13 2.5QR altima seem close enough for it to be a contender. The Honda has a CVT so they didn't throw the altima out for that reason. However to my knowledge only the 3.5VQ comes with paddle shifters something many of these had.

Looking at the rim and tire specs the Camry had 17s and placed worst the Mazda 6 has 19s! The mazda 6 also has the better tire package of the three as well. My 2013 SV is equipped with 17's I don't think you can get 18's on a 2.5 without special ordering. Don't get me wrong the 2013 altima isn't a 4DSC. I have run ours through the twisties and was pleasantly surprised. It's no slouch.

Someone should write MT regarding the omission of the altima. I would be angry right now at the mag but they did something right recently with the project 370z competition.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

Motor trend wouldn't let the altima play because they were scared of this!!!!

[RicerX]

I brought my Speed3 in for service last week and took a look at the 6 while I was there. I had gotten there early and there was a sales guy there that was bored, so we took out a GT with a 6MT.

I can tell you - there is no way on earth I would take a '13 Altima over a 6. Not even a 3.5. Mazda's approach of building vehicles that are just flat out fun to drive has wowed me for two models now. I haven't driven a newer MX-5 yet either and I hear they're a blast.

The new 6 is an absolutely fantastic car.

[Kompresshun]

Mazda makes some awesome vehicles. I have never driven a Mazda that I have not liked. I also can honestly say that I would even buy a new Toyota over a new Nissan today. I am not surprised to see them left out of the test, considering the current blandness they've been producing.

[WDRacing]

Agreed, Mazda makes some great cars. Their last batch has really been well executed. I've driven the Speed 3 and 6, both are awesome cars all the way around. Lots of my friends have the 3, and I can't think of anyone that has anything bad to say about them.

Anyone hear anything about the next gen RX?

[Kompresshun]

I've heard that there is a new RX7 in the works, but it's not slated to be revealed until like 2015 or 2016. It will be rotary powered though for sure. They're staying pretty tight lipped about it.

[sprocketser]

I wonder if it s Nissan that didn t want it too or it s MT that didn t bother .

[DrewH]

The only thing I can give Mazda credit for is still offering a manual option.

[Jesda]

The Mazda 6 is impossibly pretty.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

That's quite the snub if you ask me and is it just me or is the new Mazda6's front end atrocious? Ever since I saw the first release pictures I immediately thought it was the Edsel incarnate.

I agree. I recently swung by a Mazda dealership and saw the new 6. The interior was nice, but that front end had me thinking rhino. The old 6 looks much better in the front if you ask me.

MT might not have tested the Altima because it doesn't have a "sport" edition with a 4 banger?

[MinisterofDOOM]

is it just me or is the new Mazda6's front end atrocious? Ever since I saw the first release pictures I immediately thought it was the Edsel incarnate.

It's just you. I love the new 6. First time I saw one in person I was very impressed. I also see 0% Edsel in it (the man or the car).

2nd gen 6 was nice but the styling was highly muted and incredibly bland compared to the first gen (though mercifully free of gigantosmile). With this new model we're back on the right track.

Also, any magazine that puts "sport sedan" and "Camry" in the same article needs to probably fire everyone and then stop printing. And refund everyone for their subscriptions.
But then again, no one PAYS for Motor trend. Which is why it's 95% advertisements.

The modern Accord is sure as all Hell not a sport sedan, either. It's oveweight and underpowered.

[AZhitman]

It's just you. I love the new 6. First time I saw one in person I was very impressed.

THIS. I love the look.

(though mercifully free of gigantosmile). With this new model we're back on the right track.

THIS is why I don't have a speed3 in my driveway RIGHT THIS MINUTE. WTF were they thinking? Hope the designer was fired, because that big goofy grin on the last-gen Mazdas is unacceptable.

Also, any magazine that puts "sport sedan" and "Camry" in the same article needs to probably fire everyone and then stop printing. And refund everyone for their subscriptions.

Hear THAT, MotorTrend? (...he's right, in case you were wondering...)

[Jesda]

But then again, no one PAYS for Motor trend. Which is why it's 95% advertisements.

I think the whole rag is a giant ad for VW. I liked the 2012 Passat I rented but thought of it as a German answer to the Impala (big, spacious, marshmallowy) rather than anything worthy of "Car of the Year"

[AZhitman]

I think the whole rag is a giant ad for VW.

Cheer up. After all, it used to be a big BMW circle-jerk.

[TgduMg]

via Edmunds: The New Breed of Efficient Midsize Sedans

They noted that Ford couldn't provide a Fusion for the test.

Motor Trend may have requested a non turbo from Ford. I've yet to see an instrumented test of the 2013 Fusion with the normally aspirated 2.5 as it seems most of their press/test fleet vehicles have the "combustible in a flash" 1.6 liter EcoBoost paired with the 6-speed manual. In my recent experience with base 4 cylinder/automatic mid-size sedans, I have driven a rental 2012 Sonata and it was a real blast on the turnpike to OKC with decent handling but a noticeably firm ride. Also a 2013 Fusion SE with the 2.5 and the 2014 Mazda6 Touring on short demo drives. The newest Altima, Accord and Malibus that I've driven (all rentals) any distance were 2007, 2009, and 2010 respectively. The Altima was somewhat fun even with the CVT/QR25DE combo (with the gear selector left alone in manual mode it simulated shifts at WOT around 40, 60, and 80). The Accord's handling seemed to be tuned by the Bavarians and like the Sonata was surprisingly long legged. The Malibu was stylish, but it just wasn't an engaging drive. The 2.5 Fusion seemed competent but the Mazda6 just had a better feel overall than the Ford. I also unintentionally spun the 19 inch wheels on the Mazda with not a lot of throttle tip in. Opinion: 2.5 SkyActive > 1.6 EcoBoost. Maybe Ford should work out another deal with Mazda, this time for their SkyActive tech. The various comparison tests of the 1.6 Fusion vs the others in the segment always reminds me of this thread and this article.

Danisiti 1

[Bubba1]

I wonder if it s Nissan that didn t want it too or it s MT that didn t bother .

I imagine there might be some motivation for Nissan not to supply MT an Altima as it might not have fared as well against the others in a performance oriented comparison.

I doubt MT played "advertise to play" because there's a full page ad in the same issue for the 370Z.

IMHO this is more likely a case of MT limiting the comparo to just a few cars, and not a vast anti-Nissan conspiracy. Keep in mind that market segment has a lotta competition, and Nissan was not the only manufacturer to be omitted from the comparo.

[Bubba1]

I think the whole rag is a giant ad for VW.

Cheer up. After all, it used to be a big BMW circle-jerk.

Motor Trend is also the publication that named the Mustang II and Chevy Vega as Cars of the Year.

[TgduMg]

I imagine there might be some motivation for Nissan not to supply MT an Altima as it might not have fared as well against the others in a performance oriented comparison.

In Edmunds acceleration tests, the SkyActive Mazda6 reached 60 from zero in 7.6 seconds. The Earth Dreams Accord got there in 7.8, and the QR25 powered Altima did it in 7.9 (Motor Trend got a 2013 Altima 2.5 SL to 60 in 7.4 seconds). There was only two tenths of a second difference at the end of the quarter mile and the cars finished in the same order, but the Honda had the highest trap speed at 89.6 vs the Mazda's 88.1 and Altima's 87.7.

In Edmunds comparison the Altima was the clear winner in ride comfort and quietness, and also edged out the 6 and Accord for the highest slalom speed at 63.8, and was tops on the skid pad at 0.82 lateral g's. Edmunds said the 6 easily felt the sportiest through the slalom but its stability control system was the most intrusive.

The Altima also averaged over 4.5 more mpg than the 6 and Accord during their entire stay of the comparison. Edmunds preferred the Altima!

Danisiti 1

[Bubba1]

In Edmunds acceleration tests, the SkyActive Mazda6 reached 60 from zero in 7.6 seconds. The Earth Dreams Accord got there in 7.8, and the QR25 powered Altima did it in 7.9 (Motor Trend got a 2013 Altima 2.5 SL to 60 in 7.4 seconds). There was only two tenths of a second difference at the end of the quarter mile and the cars finished in the same order, but the Honda had the highest trap speed at 89.6 vs the Mazda's 88.1 and Altima's 87.7.

In Edmunds comparison the Altima was the clear winner in ride comfort and quietness, and also edged out the 6 and Accord for the highest slalom speed at 63.8, and was tops on the skid pad at 0.82 lateral g's. Edmunds said the 6 easily felt the sportiest through the slalom but its stability control system was the most intrusive.

The Altima also averaged over 4.5 more mpg than the 6 and Accord during their entire stay of the comparison. Edmunds preferred the Altima!

Danisiti 1

As info, not all publications found the same exact test figures as Edmunds, so I wouldn't treat that Edmunds data as gospel.

The reason I suggested Nissan's possible reluctance in supplying an Altima for another comparo was because of a stinging recent nationally televised "$26,000 6 midsized sedan shootout" on Motorweek. cosponsored by Cars.com and USA today. The Altima came in last place. Here's a link to that article.

http://www.cars.com/go/crp/buyingGuides ... ct=stories

.

[RicerX]

The only reason the Mazda didn't edge the Altima out in MPGs was because of its lack of a CVT, which I would rather have a traditional 6 speed all day over any CVT. The final drive ratio in the Altima 2.5CVT is absolutely ridiculous compared to most any car, especially the Mazda's, which is what allows for such high cruising mileage.

Good for Nissan in landing that, but I would still have a 6 over the Altima, but mine would be a 6MT and not the 6AT.

[TgduMg]

As info, not all publications found the same exact test figures as Edmunds, so I wouldn't treat that Edmunds data as gospel.

The reason I suggested Nissan's possible reluctance in supplying an Altima for another comparo was because of a stinging recent nationally televised "$26,000 6 midsized sedan shootout" on Motorweek. cosponsored by Cars.com and USA today. The Altima came in last place.

Production tolerances and well as test conditions (temperature, humidity, elevation, test drivers, etc.) is an understandable recipe for any of the publications not attaining the same exact test figures.

I would rather have a traditional 6 speed all day over any CVT.

I would still have a 6 over the Altima, but mine would be a 6MT and not the 6AT.

After driving the Sonata for a couple of days, I thought about how much better the L32 Altima sedan could have been with a similar 6AT (and it just dawned on me that the 09 Accord I drove had a 5AT). I really like the 14 Mazda6, but hate the fact that Mazda replaced the temp gauge with an idiot light. But if I were to purchase a normally aspirated automatic 4 cyl sedan in this segment today, my top pick would be the Mazda6, followed by the Accord or Altima (both neck and neck for 2nd and all three are 2013/14 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ vehicles). The Sonata/Optima are neck and with the Fusion, then the Camry followed by Chevy's Malibu. I didn't even think about the 200/Avenger so they of course would be the last choices (good rear seat head and legroom in the 200 though). The Passat looks ok on paper and is very roomy. It might be worth a look, but I've been treated pretty well by the Japanese brands.

The only three cars I would want to shift for myself are the 350/370Z (I'd prefer an auto in a G-Coupe), Boxster/Cayman, and 4.6/5.0 Mustang. Yep, if I could get a Corvette even it would be an auto!

Danisiti 1