Cross Shopping a Stinger vs a Mazda 6

[MerlintheMad]

My Accord's trunk was rated 16 cubic feet, versus 23 in the Stinger, but I was able to fit a lot more stuff in my Accord. It was far wider and a little deeper than the Stinger. The Stinger's advantage is obviously in its height, but you have to be willing/able to stack your cargo to use the full capacity. The Accord did not require that.

Could your Accord do this?

 

[cwatt79]

Could your Accord do this?
View attachment 41271 View attachment 41272

Obviously, YMMV. They are clearly different shaped trunks, and the bets are off when you fold the seats. But with two people in front, and two dogs in the back seat, I had a much easier time packing a boat load of stuff into the Accord’s trunk than the Stinger’s. It was a much more usable shape in that scenario, which is the scenario that affects me most.

Don’t get defensive, I'm still on team Stinger! Just sharing my experience so OP can read multiple perspectives.

 

[cncBilly]

Hey all! First time posting here but I've been lurking the last few days. Currently own a 2014 Focus and am trying to move on from it (if you've read up on the clutch issues you'll understand why I'm so fed up). I was heavily honed in on the Mazda 6. Really like what the Grand Touring Reserve and the Signature trims offer. But then seeing as the lock down has given me plenty of time to research, especially with school being done for the semester, I've been giving a hard look at the Stinger 2.0 (even though I'd really love the GT1)! Especially with the Sun and Sound package, the 2.0 seems really fun and that trunk is amazing! Looking to grow into this car as my fiance and I plan on starting a family in a couple of years, but I want to enjoy driving as well. As I get closer to being ready to buy, I'll test drive both.

Did anyone cross shop the two cars and can offer any insight. It would be my daily driver so I'm curious about fuel economy as well. Seems like a great community and have enjoyed reading up on the Stinger!

If this is in the wrong sub please let me know!

I looked at, liked and was considering the 6. Then I saw the Stinger stopped looking at anything else. I'm loving it as my only driver it's a GT Limited 3.3 I really don't give a about the gas mileage so can't help ya there. Go Stinger

 

[MerlintheMad]

Don’t get defensive, I'm still on team Stinger! Just sharing my experience so OP can read multiple perspectives.

I would have used an angry face or something more sarcastic, if I were getting defensive. No, I understand what you're saying. And I'm saying that the Stinger's cargo area is incomparable to ANY trunk. The Stinger, being a hatchback (with fastback design for styling) is more practical than any trunk; for TOTAL capacity. Now, using less than full capacity, sure, different dimensions of trunks will make packing their smaller total cubic feet easier. But that was never the goal of the hatchback. The Stringer can (as you say) "stack" to the hatch lid window. The approach to packing cargo is different with the Stinger than just dropping things into an ugly hole. One is lazy, the other is like playing Tetris.

 

[SafetyPilotCal]

I'd argue the trunk on buddy's old Crown Vic is more usable than the Stinger's hatch. That thing was positively cavernous. And the odd way the hatch is made, to look like a trunk lid, cuts down on usable space. I think I could probably put more things in the back of my Vette versus the Stinger (barring putting the rear seats down). The split foldable rear seat is the Stinger's saving grace.

 

[stingerbeagle]

I'd echo the sentiment that the Stinger trunk is overrated in most casual reviews. Most mid-size sedans will be more useful in most situations. I like the Stinger setup for my mountain bike, but other than that, I'd take a CamCord trunk over it. I used to drive an Acura TSX Wagon, and you can't compare the "fastback" cargo area to a real wagon, which is what a lot of fast-blast media reviews do. This thread does a good job covering the nuances.

I cross-shopped the Mazda 6 Signature, and I think it's a great car. I did feel that the "luxury level" interior that is so hyped didn't work for me in real life, even though I loved it in pictures. I like the Stinger interior much more in terms of design and I think the Mazda's will look tacky in a few years. The out-dated infotainment in the Mazda6 also hurt it, and I was disappointed that they didn't upgrade it to their latest generation for 2020. In terms of engine, I didn't like how it sounded, but it's got good grunt at legal speeds. I had a Mazda3 hatchback for a long time so I have a soft spot for Mazda.

 

[General_Vodka]

I'd echo the sentiment that the Stinger trunk is overrated in most casual reviews. Most mid-size sedans will be more useful in most situations. I like the Stinger setup for my mountain bike, but other than that, I'd take a CamCord trunk over it. I used to drive an Acura TSX Wagon, and you can't compare the "fastback" cargo area to a real wagon, which is what a lot of fast-blast media reviews do. This thread does a good job covering the nuances.

I cross-shopped the Mazda 6 Signature, and I think it's a great car. I did feel that the "luxury level" interior that is so hyped didn't work for me in real life, even though I loved it in pictures. I like the Stinger interior much more in terms of design and I think the Mazda's will look tacky in a few years. The out-dated infotainment in the Mazda6 also hurt it, and I was disappointed that they didn't upgrade it to their latest generation for 2020. In terms of engine, I didn't like how it sounded, but it's got good grunt at legal speeds. I had a Mazda3 hatchback for a long time so I have a soft spot for Mazda.

NO WAY! A fellow TSX swagon owner?? You sir are obviously a man of culture. My 2012 TSX is a trooper, and I love the hatch. Bikes, tents, giant stinger frame apron? No problem. The stinger does lose some of the storage space but makes up for it in other ways. My list of best car configurations goes likes this: wagon, hatchback, sportback, coupe, -------------------- sedan. If the stinger was a sedan I would not have looked at it.

 

[stingerbeagle]

NO WAY! A fellow TSX swagon owner?? You sir are obviously a man of culture.

Nice You've got me all nostalgic on that car now. My old review on it fwiw.

 

[General_Vodka]

Nice You've got me all nostalgic on that car now. My old review on it fwiw.

Nice review. I can say that you missed out on one great thing: a cold air intake. It transformed my TSX into the ricer vtec monster that it was meant to be. Night and day difference. Best $200 I ever spent.

. That and some nice pads and disks fixed a lot of things for me. I am pretty happy that I am keeping my TSX. Although we are running out of room to park the cars. Well now we have the whole segment covered: wagon, sportback, coupe and sedans.

 

[TheBert]

I went from a 2014 Mazda 6 Touring (middle tier, 187hp 4cyl) to a 2019 Stinger GT2. This isn't quite apples to apples with your question, but having spent a fair amount of time in both cars I can say the following should apply. The 2014 and 2020 Mazda 6s are generally the same size, shape, and interior layout. They've made tweaks for sure, but I test drove or had new 6s as a loaner a bunch of times.

The 6 is slightly longer than the Stinger. The 6 trunk in my 2014 was bigger than my Stinger. The Stinger wins some points for the hatchback seat down cleanliness in the interior, but the 6 trunk is really deep and tall. The 6 was larger in the interior and the sight lines and roof height for the driver were much better, larger in the 6.

I got 31 to 35 mpg regularly on a 35 mile mostly highway commute in my 6, with some spirited driving. In my Stinger, its 21mpg if I'm lucky, although I have the GT2 and it's 2.5x more powerful than the 6.

I had the Bose system in the 6, it was great. As comparable to the HK system in my Stinger.

The 6 handling is nimble and sporty. Mazda suspension is a thing of beauty and their cars are routinely lighter than the competitors. My Stinger handles ok comparatively because its like 800 pounds or so heavier than the 6.

I LOVED my 6. Good looking car that doesn't look too aggressive and won't be too flashy. I LOVE my Stinger because it looks like a car worth much more than it costs. If Mazda puts out a 350hp+ AWD 6, I'd weigh my next car purchase after months of research and deliberation.

This was a great write up, thank you! I've test driven the current Mazda 3, before the lockdown started, and it was nice. Felt like a wanted something more. I liked the Mazdas and the Stinger because they seem unique, you don't see them that often and they both look great. Thanks again for the details, great points to consider.

I'm in love with my GT1. I traded a 2018 Accord Touring for it, which is a pretty close competitor to the Mazda 6. I have no regrets, as I traded it in order to get better performance and more distinct, sporty styling (inside and out). Before my Accord I had a Mustang GT. I wanted more space and comfort than it offered, which is why I got the Accord, but then I missed the performance, which is why I got the Stinger, as it combines most things that I loved about the Mustang and the Accord.

I will say, the Accord was far more spacious than the Stinger. Its back seat was like a limousine, and I could fit four 6-foot-tall adults in the Accord without moving anything. To do that in the Stinger, I have to move the front seats forward and up. And while the Stinger's trunk is huge on paper, it is less useful in reality. My Accord's trunk was rated 16 cubic feet, versus 23 in the Stinger, but I was able to fit a lot more stuff in my Accord. It was far wider and a little deeper than the Stinger. The Stinger's advantage is obviously in its height, but you have to be willing/able to stack your cargo to use the full capacity. The Accord did not require that.

As I said, though, I'm thrilled with the Stinger. I knew I would be sacrificing some practicality coming from an Accord, but it was a sacrifice I was willing and excited to make in order to be back in a RWD, performance-oriented car with unique, aggressive styling. And as far as performance oriented-cars go, you can't get much more practical than the Stinger without spending $60k+.

In my GT1 I am averaging a hair over 24 MPG (see my signature) over the few thousand miles I've had it. I live in a smaller city, and commute from its outskirts out into the country, so my commute is all highway with a few traffic lights. When my tank consist a good mix of commuting and running errands in town, I average 22-23 MPG. I usually drive it pretty easy, but I do enjoy its performance every now and then. On highway road trip tanks at 75 mph, I average 28 MPG. These are self-calculated, not the optimistic computer readouts. Also keep in mind that Kia recommends premium fuel, although many Stinger owners use regular fuel.

Thank for the details! I briefly looked at the Accord, but I just couldn't force myself to like the looks. Good info on the cargo areas. Good things to consider, I'd mainly be using it for groceries and smaller items. Luggage seems like it will fit just fine as well, but my fiance and I do not do a ton of long-distance traveling at the moment. That gas mileage write up eases some concerns about the GT1 for me. I'd probably go premium since Kia recommends it. That might be a shot in the arm considering I'm used to regular fuel haha I'm planning on keeping my next vehicle for awhile so I want it to be fun to drive.

Stinger Gt2 vs Mazda 6.

Mazda 6

Are you sure you want to compare this two?

Of course we are biased towards the Stinger but come one, they are two different animals, mazda may be peppy but the GT2 is a monster next to the Mazda. Choose wise pick what you want not what others tell you is best.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not a fan of BMW honestly and some other sporty cars don't seem as practical as the Stinger is. It gives me the fun I want but will function for my family needs now and in the future. I looked at the G70 as well, but the Stinger styling is miles above the Genesis brand in my own opinion. Thanks again!

 

[TheBert]

I'd echo the sentiment that the Stinger trunk is overrated in most casual reviews. Most mid-size sedans will be more useful in most situations. I like the Stinger setup for my mountain bike, but other than that, I'd take a CamCord trunk over it. I used to drive an Acura TSX Wagon, and you can't compare the "fastback" cargo area to a real wagon, which is what a lot of fast-blast media reviews do. This thread does a good job covering the nuances.

I cross-shopped the Mazda 6 Signature, and I think it's a great car. I did feel that the "luxury level" interior that is so hyped didn't work for me in real life, even though I loved it in pictures. I like the Stinger interior much more in terms of design and I think the Mazda's will look tacky in a few years. The out-dated infotainment in the Mazda6 also hurt it, and I was disappointed that they didn't upgrade it to their latest generation for 2020. In terms of engine, I didn't like how it sounded, but it's got good grunt at legal speeds. I had a Mazda3 hatchback for a long time so I have a soft spot for Mazda.

Good to know. My buddy has a 2016 Mazda 6 and that's what put me on the Mazda trail a few years ago. But then I seriously started looking at the Stinger, and well here we are. I'd love to be able to wait a couple of years for a new car and see what Mazda does (seeing the new 6 may debut in 2022), but given the clutch issues my car has plus Ford only extending the warranty by one year or 10,000 miles, I feel like the sooner I pull the trigger the better. Guess we'll see. Thanks!

 

[NIU_Huskies]

Thank for the details! I briefly looked at the Accord, but I just couldn't force myself to like the looks.

The new Accords are ugly and the rear end is hideous. Toyota totally beat Honda in the styling and looks department with the Camry over the Accord.

 

[TheBert]

The new Accords are ugly and the rear end is hideous. Toyota totally beat Honda in the styling and looks department with the Camry over the Accord.

Agreed, the new Camry has a kinda mean look to it. I wish I liked the Accord, but it just ain't the one for me. Even the Camry the interior is kinda bland for my tastes.

 

[stingerbeagle]

Nice review. I can say that you missed out on one great thing: a cold air intake. It transformed my TSX into the ricer vtec monster that it was meant to be. Night and day difference. Best $200 I ever spent.

. That and some nice pads and disks fixed a lot of things for me. I am pretty happy that I am keeping my TSX. Although we are running out of room to park the cars. Well now we have the whole segment covered: wagon, sportback, coupe and sedans.

Ah I miss being able to go to 7k RPM at 40 mph! I think I’m going to downlevel in power with my next car. I pretty much never get to wind out the Stinger.

 

[Aero2001]

I'm a big Mazda fan, and we had a great experience with a 2006 Mazda5 microvan. But I'm even more of a Honda fan, and I've liked the Kias I've driven. So, as I've been laying the groundwork for replacing my 2010 Acura TSX (6MT), I've tested a Mazda 6 Grand Touring, multiple Accord Sports, and a Stinger GT-Line with AWD. Apart from one nice back road romp in an Accord Sport 2.0T (10AT), they were short test drives that didn't involve the highway, but all three were on the same roads, so I'll give my impressions FWIW.

IMO, the best value is the Mazda. I simply could not believe how much content was available for about $28k out the door. But, given all the accolades it's received as a driver's car, I was slightly underwhelmed. I didn't think the steering was all that special, but of course the tires are a major factor there. I also thought it had a slightly harsh ride. The 6AT isn't the greatest. No question it drives very nicely, much like my TSX, but I wasn't blown away. I liked the interior, which seemed a cut above the Honda.

In most ways, I loved the Accord Sport 2.0T. To my immense surprise, I actually liked the 10-speed automatic. It's very responsive and works well with the engine. And the engine is simply outstanding IMO, definitely the best of the three. Overall, I thought it was a better driver's car than the Mazda, but I would need back-to-back seat time to be sure. It had less tech and luxury than the Mazda for about the same price, and the stereo is really lame, but it's still a great value. The availability of 6MT is a huge plus, but but my left knee (darned thing is 53 years old) tells me it might be time to ditch the third pedal!

My favorite was the Stinger. Even though the engine can't quite match the Honda 2.0T, it's decent, and the transmission is excellent. But for driving, the key is the rear-biased AWD system. In sport mode, when powering out of a corner, it feels close to RWD. The Honda and Mazda simply cannot do this. I also think it has a slightly smoother ride, probably because of 18" wheels instead of 19". (I live in downtown Philly, where a little extra sidewall is darned nice.) With the Sun and Sound package it's very nicely equipped. I also liked its overall feel and character. It's cooler and more interesting than the mainstream cars, yet would still be easy to live with on a daily basis. Downsides? Fuel economy, poor rear visibility, and no FCW or AEB on the GT-Line. (The last omission is a deal-killer for me, but I bet that will change for 2021.)

When the time comes, I'll go for longer drives including the highway, and maybe there will be a 2G Acura TLX to consider. But for now, I think I'd be happiest with the Stinger.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I pretty much never get to wind out the Stinger.

Central Oregon.

 

[General_Vodka]

Ah I miss being able to go to 7k RPM at 40 mph! I think I’m going to downlevel in power with my next car. I pretty much never get to wind out the Stinger.

Did you know the TSX tops out at 140mph? Dont ask how I know but there's a reason I have a radar detector. Also once I fix my stinger it's due for a top speed run. I don't know where but if there is a will there's a way.

 

[street heat]

the only think I will add is if you get a stinger, you must get the V6! you can find used GTs for pretty cheap especially with everything going on right now. i test drove 2.0 and it was an immediate NO!. i had a 2013 optima sxL i think it may have been faster. I did have it modded but even stock i think it would be close. test drive the v6 before you think about committing to a 2.0 I think you would regret that. if you really want a GT1, I would just be patient until you find one with the price you want. email some dealers they are desperate. ask them about getting it at the price you want, and if they say they cant go that low just tell them ok an move on....... then watch as they start hitting you back with lower an lower offers.

 

[TheBert]

I'm a big Mazda fan, and we had a great experience with a 2006 Mazda5 microvan. But I'm even more of a Honda fan, and I've liked the Kias I've driven. So, as I've been laying the groundwork for replacing my 2010 Acura TSX (6MT), I've tested a Mazda 6 Grand Touring, multiple Accord Sports, and a Stinger GT-Line with AWD. Apart from one nice back road romp in an Accord Sport 2.0T (10AT), they were short test drives that didn't involve the highway, but all three were on the same roads, so I'll give my impressions FWIW.

IMO, the best value is the Mazda. I simply could not believe how much content was available for about $28k out the door. But, given all the accolades it's received as a driver's car, I was slightly underwhelmed. I didn't think the steering was all that special, but of course the tires are a major factor there. I also thought it had a slightly harsh ride. The 6AT isn't the greatest. No question it drives very nicely, much like my TSX, but I wasn't blown away. I liked the interior, which seemed a cut above the Honda.

In most ways, I loved the Accord Sport 2.0T. To my immense surprise, I actually liked the 10-speed automatic. It's very responsive and works well with the engine. And the engine is simply outstanding IMO, definitely the best of the three. Overall, I thought it was a better driver's car than the Mazda, but I would need back-to-back seat time to be sure. It had less tech and luxury than the Mazda for about the same price, and the stereo is really lame, but it's still a great value. The availability of 6MT is a huge plus, but but my left knee (darned thing is 53 years old) tells me it might be time to ditch the third pedal!

My favorite was the Stinger. Even though the engine can't quite match the Honda 2.0T, it's decent, and the transmission is excellent. But for driving, the key is the rear-biased AWD system. In sport mode, when powering out of a corner, it feels close to RWD. The Honda and Mazda simply cannot do this. I also think it has a slightly smoother ride, probably because of 18" wheels instead of 19". (I live in downtown Philly, where a little extra sidewall is darned nice.) With the Sun and Sound package it's very nicely equipped. I also liked its overall feel and character. It's cooler and more interesting than the mainstream cars, yet would still be easy to live with on a daily basis. Downsides? Fuel economy, poor rear visibility, and no Forward Collision Warning (FCW) or AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) on the GT-Line. (The last omission is a deal-killer for me, but I bet that will change for 2021.)

When the time comes, I'll go for longer drives including the highway, and maybe there will be a 2G Acura TLX to consider. But for now, I think I'd be happiest with the Stinger.

Thanks for the detailed writeup! Yeah the Stinger seems like it'd be the most fun to drive. And the Mazda packs so much into a solid price point. If I get the GT-Line I'd have to get one with the Sun and Sound package.

the only think I will add is if you get a stinger, you must get the V6! you can find used GTs for pretty cheap especially with everything going on right now. i test drove 2.0 and it was an immediate NO!. i had a 2013 optima sxL i think it may have been faster. I did have it modded but even stock i think it would be close. test drive the v6 before you think about committing to a 2.0 I think you would regret that. if you really want a GT1, I would just be patient until you find one with the price you want. email some dealers they are desperate. ask them about getting it at the price you want, and if they say they cant go that low just tell them ok an move on....... then watch as they start hitting you back with lower an lower offers.

A dealer not to far from me has a CPO 2019 GT2 that has less than 4k miles on it listed at $43,000 that I'm keeping my eye on. But yeah the V6 is the goal (maybe dream, we'll see haha). Thanks for the write up! I like the advice on emailing different dealers my price point.

 

[NIU_Huskies]

A dealer not to far from me has a CPO 2019 GT2 that has less than 4k miles on it listed at $43,000 that I'm keeping my eye on. But yeah the V6 is the goal (maybe dream, we'll see haha). Thanks for the write up! I like the advice on emailing different dealers my price point.

Negotiate more off that price. I got my brand new 2019 GT2 for just under $40,000 before taxes. Also, the used car market is taking a beating now with values going down.