Test drive Honda Accord 4 doors 2003 - 2006 sedan

Birds of high flight

Mazda 6
The European debut took place at a car dealership in Geneva in 2002. The car is produced with bodies sedan, hatchback and station wagon, the latter can be ordered in the all -wheel drive version.
Engines: gasoline 1.8 2.3 liters (120166 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Complete: Touring, Sport.
Price in Russia: $ 22 350 30 100.

Honda Accord
European dealers appeared shortly after the show in Paris, at the 2002 salon. During the year, the Tourer station wagon joined the sedan.
Engines: gasoline 2.02.4 liters (155190 hp).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Comfort, Sport, Type-S, Executive.
Price in Russia: $ 26 900 36 900.

In the 1960s, the specialized western press warmly discussed the first flights of supersonic liners of the Soviet Tu-144 and the Anglo-French Concord. In the opinion of the layman, cars copied one another that gave food for rumors about plagiarism. Passions subsided when experts entered the discussion and explained: external similarities are explained by the laws of aerodynamics, similar to flight requirements, similar materials and technologies. In fact, Tupolev is larger and is able to take 40 more passengers, the concord is more comfortable, the engines are located in each in their own way, they are completely different.
A similar story, only, of course, on a smaller scale, happened when Honda Chord and Mazda 6 debuted. Something elusive two Japanese women resemble each other: either in the shape of a false radiator lattice, or a cut of the eyes, or a falling line of the roof, forming a rapidly swift Profile ... But are the cars really similar?
Pre -flight inspection
How important the ability to give yourself! Having opened the massive door of Kon ..., sorry, chord, I dive into the darkness of the salon. The first touches to the real skin of the steering wheel, the juicy sound with which the doors are closed, the subtle aroma of the cabin immediately creates a certain mood. Honda saved the most spectacular intake of seduction for dessert: barely the key falls into the ignition lock, the coals of the devices flare up in the black hole of the front panel. Frankly, before starting the car, I had admired the sight more than once!
The meeting with Mazda was completely different: the six did not have time, or maybe she did not try to make the first impression so bright. I will not persuade: I exceeded the day for the middle, and the shooting should be rushed ahead! Having hastily adjusted the seat, I turn on the program and pour into the capital's car jelly. Gradually, very delicately, the six conquers sympathy: the light-gray velor of the seats and the combined two-color design of the front panel of the Mazda give the cabin more hospitality, especially in contrast with stiff honda. The eye rejoices in the central aluminum console, and the hands of the liable steering wheel of the optimal section.
Passenger design and baggage registration
As a family car, both Honda and Mazda will arrange a majority of picky. Places in the rear seat are more than enough for the comfortable movement of two adults, but the three of them will be quite tolerable. Honda was slightly upset by the pinking doorway with an arch of the rear wheel, which did not allow the five to put the five for the convenience of landing. But there are plenty of space over your head. Entering the Mazda salon is a little easier, but it will not work out to be just as freely to the space, the low roof will take away the space, and the racks hang on the side. Although the position of the heart is rather psychological pressure.
Formally, the trunk of the six is \u200b\u200b50 liters more. However, as our measurements showed, the difference in favor of the Mazda is not so great, although it is ahead of the convenience of loading and the benefits of the configuration. But in the luggage compartment of the chord, belts are provided, which are convenient to fix all sorts of things. For example, a bottle of non -freezing liquid. Airplanes, by the way, are also undergoing anti -icing training ...
CLIMB
There are only 50 kilometers from Moscow to the north, and cottages give way to quiet villages, the distance between which is growing in proportion to the removal from the capital. Long distillations along the narrow, winding paths among the hills of the Dmitrov ridge perhaps the best control of controllability.
At the wheel of the chord you feel confident and calmly. Another blind turn with snow dumps and ice under the wheels? It's okay, we can handle it. The car is steaming clearly and reliably thanks to the excellent work of the traditional hydraulic wrap. Follow the turn faster than that requires common sense, the stabilization system comes into business, reminding itself as anxiously flashing icon. ABS works very delicately and only when it really needs it, without striking idle. The car suspension clearly monitors the profile of the road, but small irregularities are transmitted to the body more than we would like.
It was worth crossing the Mazda’s wheel and take the previous pace, how it became clear how different the characters of the cars were. The ardent six provokes an aggressive and active ride, but the capabilities of the chassis are not unlimited here. The car is easier to disrupt into a skid, although it will not be too difficult to get out of it to an experienced driver first of all, thanks to the DSC stabilization system. Unlike Honda, who confidently behaves without an electronic collar, a mazed with disconnected DSC, especially with active driving, begins to strain slightly. But I don’t want to bring the characteristic crunch from under the hood to bring the ABS to the trigger with a rough echo is given to the brake pedal.
AUTOPILOT
The five -speed automatic box of the chord pleasantly surprised a quick reaction to the accelerator pedal. The torque of the engine in the urban mode is enough to confidently accelerate on the III and IV transmissions without switching to a reduced one. Only in Kick Dawn mode, the car freezes for a split second, then to please the driver with a cheerful acceleration.
Unlike many other machines with the possibility of manual switching, the Honda box, as they say, is honest. If you have chosen a manual mode and turned on, for example, the first gear, be sure the box will allow you to unscrew the engine until the maximum 6800 rpm and will not switch to the second. With dynamic driving, manual mode also provides effective engine braking. In a word, the sensations are as close as possible to the fact that they arise when driving with ordinary mechanics. Therefore, from time to time I was happy to take the transmission control. By the way, Honda is one of the few companies producing transmission on their own now it is clear why.
The box of mazda does not present revelations. There are only four programs, but this does not interfere with quickly responding to the driver’s commands. Sometimes even sharply. When you give the six spurs, the box, without hesitation, crosses the step lower, although it feels like it could well remain upstairs. This feature is even more noticeable in two additional Low and Sport modes. The point here, of course, is not only in the machine, but also less powerful than that of the opponent.
The moment of decision is made
So which car is better? The answer to this question already sounded at the very beginning. They are different. It is not difficult to feel this on paper, looking into the characteristics. The European chord is produced with engines with a capacity of up to 190 hp, the Mazda is sold with motors up to 166 hp, and the latter can only be bought with a manual gearbox. The scatter of prices also indicates a different positioning: the basic six is \u200b\u200boffered for $ 22,350, while the honda will have to pay at least $ 26,900. And yet the chord and six are often on the same list when it comes to buying a D-class car.
Mazda seems more playful and not so pretentious. Compared to Honda, she has a slightly noisy engine, a little simpler materials of the finish and not so fierce manageability. But the focus is that sometimes we like imperfect things. Some value pedantry and punctuality, other recklessness and emotionality; Someone is important for someone, other service on board. What is closer to you?

SUMMARY
Mazda 6 is charming, friendly, perfectly suitable for the role of a family car. In terms of price/quality ratio, one of the most seductive offers in the market.
+ Spectacular design, convenient landing, practical trunk, attractive price.
- imperfect sound insulation, insufficient feedback on the steering wheel at high speeds.

SUMMARY
Honda Accord, contrary to the sports image of the brand, makes the impression of a calm and solid car, like a successful, self -confident person.
+ Good sound insulation, excellent ergonomics, fast automatic.
+ Harsh suspension, an illogical algorithm for the work of the rain sensor.
 
 

 

 

 
Mikhail Gzovsky
Co -author: Photo: Alexander Batyr
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"