On the face of it, the Honda Accord Sports Tourer and Mazda 6 Estate are very much alike. The engines have similar outputs and the kerbweights are only a bag of spuds apart. So, can the Honda justify a price tag £3000 higher?
Against the stopwatch, it just surpasses the Mazda from 30-60mph, and once up to speed it’s quieter and more refined, too.
There’s little to choose between the two for boot space, although the Mazda coped slightly better with our awkwardly shaped test load. The Honda’s seats are just as easy to fold as those in the Mazda.
Both cars are sharp drives, although both have a firm edge to the ride, and struggled with the hill-start test. The Honda holds its value better than the Mazda, but it’s more expensive to start with. Equipment levels are generous
on both cars, with alloy wheels, climate control and a CD-changer.
Its superior refinement and softer ride make the Accord the better car, but not by a large enough margin to justify the higher price.