The brand new 10^th generation Honda Accord is the latest addition to the family sedan segment in Singapore, and it's probably about time.

The current generation Mazda6 has been around for quite awhile now, having gone through a number of facelifts to keep it consistently fresh and competitive. The Accord's other key competitor, the ever-popular Toyota Camry, has been on Singapore roads for close to a year now.


This, then, is the battle of the Japanese big boys.

Life from the outside

Visually, the Mazda6 is the least surprising. It draws on a very familiar KODO design language, with sleek and curvy lines consistent with the rest of Mazda's product lineup. In isolation, it's a pretty car. However, situated side by side with the other two, it looks… small? This is most notable from the rear, where the Mazda is a lot narrower compared to the other two.


The Camry now looks quite a lot different than models past. The design is quite fresh and edgy, especially with the big and wide front grille dominating the front fascia. It's quite a bold look that long time Toyota owners may take a little getting used to.

The Accord strikes a pleasing balance - muscular and athletic, while also demonstrating good visual maturity. We reckon its the most handsome of the lot. 


Life on the inside

Unfortunately, while it may look the best from the outside, the Accord's cabin doesn't quite feel or look as nice as the other two. Compared to the other two cars, the Accord feels less plush and cosy. Also, because most of the surfaces are black or grey, the cabin feels a little dull compared to the other two (both came clad in white leather).

It does have wireless charging, though, something the other two cars lack. And, it's got the largest boot, with 570 litres of space.

The Mazda6 feels premium and plush, with generous amounts of equipment like ventilated seats and a head-up display. The infotainment system might be a tad dated now, but it's still sleek and easy to operate. Where the Mazda loses out is in space - rear cabin space is notably less than the other two cars, while the boot is also the smallest of the three.


The Camry delivers comparable leg room to the Accord - it's very spacious and comfortable at the rear. Materials are pleasingly soft, build quality is high, and of the three it's probably the most pleasing car to be sitting in. The Camry also has the largest infotainment screen, and probably the sleekest interface. Yes, you don't get a sunroof like the other two, but the Camry still delivers the best combination of equipment, space and quality.

Life on the go

It's here that the Mazda shows its age. While its certainly quicker, and holds itself well through corners, it can't quite deliver the same cruising comfort as the other two. Also, it doesn't have adaptive cruise control, and the Lane-keep Assist System is rather abrupt, with sharp steering inputs that can be slightly unnerving. The 2.5-litre engine is the most urgent, but it's quite noisy and also the thirstiest. 


Here, it's between the Toyota and the Honda. Both deliver excellent ride comfort - the Camry is softer and more comfortable, while the Accord feels more agile and nimble (it's the lightest of the three cars).

The big difference is the engine. The Camry's naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine is the most refined powertrain of the lot, if the least urgent-feeling. The Accord gets a turbocharged 1.5-litre that pulls well when on boost, though it doesn't sound particularly pleasant. It is, however, the most economical. We clocked 11.5km/L, compared to the Camry's 10.5km/L and the Mazda's 9.4km/L. 


Life choices

Picking a winner here is tough. All three cars are comparable, both price-wise and feature-wise. All clock in under $160,000, and each is separated by about $3,000 increments, with the Mazda the cheapest and the Accord the priciest. And, all have some compromises.

For keen drivers, the Mazda would be the choice. It's the quickest in a straight line and the sharpest to pilot. The compromise is that it's notably less spacious and less economical than the other two.


The Honda is handsome, light footed and comfortable, but the cabin isn't quite a sleek and lush as the other two. It does however deliver plenty of technology and equipment, including multiple cameras that grant you excellent vision of the car's surroundings.

The Camry delivers the most comfortable and refined drive, though it's admittedly the slowest and least agile of the lot. Its bold styling will also take some getting used to, but there's no denying the overall quality and refinement of the package.


We reckon it's a toss up between the Honda and the Toyota. Guess it boils down to how much discount the sales rep is willing to offer you.