Buick Regal vs Mazda 6: Mismatch or Not?

It's a battle of front-wheel drive sedans! One American, the other Japanese; neither are considered top sellers but anyone in need of a mid-size sedan with sporty yet reserved style should take a look at them. Let's compare.

2017 Mazda 6
MSRP: $21,945 - $30,695
Horsepower: 184
Curb weight: 3,179 lb
Warranty: 3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain

The 2017 Mazda 6 has received positive reception mostly because Mazda has done a great job redesigning its vehicles and helping them compete on eye-test grounds. The greatest trouble we find with the 6 is a lack of options. You have only one choice for the engine, which is a 2.5L, 184 hp 4 cylinder that generates 185 lb-ft of torque. There are no packages available for the Sport trim and you have to upgrade to the Grand Touring trim to get leather seats.

Mazda offers manual and automatic transmission for two out of three trims. The Grand Touring trim, which is top-of-the-line, received a manual shift mode for its automatic transmission.

Overall, the Mazda 6 is a solid car that sells for a reasonable price. However, some drivers may not find everything they want in any of the three trims available.

2017 Buick Regal
MSRP: $27,065 - $36,540
Horsepower: 182 - 259
Curb weight: 3,600 - 3,981 lb
Warranty: 4 yr/50,000 mi basic, 6 yr/70,000 mi powertrain

The 2017 Buick Regal costs $6,000 more at the base level. However, you get leather seats and a whole bunch of other goodies with it. All of the stuff that comes with the Regal place it closer to the luxury category than the Mazda 6 can get. Just one trim level up from the base 1SV trim is the Turbo Sport Touring trim. At that level, you've got an extra 76 horsepower that only cost about $1,500 more.

The questions arise when you ask yourself if you want speed or luxury and start to wonder how those things affect the cost of ownership. You're going to get a little more gas mileage with the Mazda but if you're looking for a luxury car, you're probably not going to settle for a Buick anyway. We think you should but you probably won't, which means this car's value is in its relatively inexpensive power and luxury specs.

The Verdict

Neither of these vehicles are purebred sports cars but one does have the upper hand in competitive scenarios simply due to having an engine upgrade available. It's the Regal, of course, even though the Mazda is available with manual transmission. Although some drivers might be comparing these as sports cars, we see the sportiness in them as just one aspect of their mult-faceted personalities. The Mazda 6 is more affordable, Japanese, nice-looking and moderately quick. The Buick Regal is faster, American, luxurious (although, perhaps not "luxury") and about equally nice-looking.

If you like imports and money saving, go for the Mazda. If you want to feel better when you drive and if you're not put off by the Buick brand, go for the Regal. By the way, we think you shouldn't be put off by the Buick brand. It has come a long way since it's "grannymobile" days.

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