Mazda and Volvo — both brands are part of the Ford Motor Company structure, so it's no surprise that they share common technical solutions and platforms. It would seem that this should provide significant savings on development. But here's the paradox: the all-wheel-drive rivals Mazda6 MPS and Volvo S60 AWD turned out to be so different in character that you have to wonder. Let's try to figure out what's going on here.
2006 Mazda6 MPS vs 2004 Volvo S60 AWD
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
When choosing a car, first impressions matter a lot. Let's abstract ourselves from everything we knew about these models before and look at them with a fresh eye, without prejudice.
Before us are two cars with completely different characters. The Swede still impresses with elegance and a solid exterior. Slightly tinted windows, black paint, and luxurious wheel rims clearly hint at the status of an owner ready to shell out $50,000 for this pleasure. But the Mazda in the MPS version looks truly aggressive. Compared to the standard "six," the hood is noticeably raised — this is how engineers placed the turbocharger radiator above the engine to achieve better weight distribution. New bumpers, spoiler, and side skirts only emphasize the sporty essence of the Japanese model.
Inside the Volvo, there's two-tone leather with different textures, and everything is done with an emphasis on luxury. The seats are equipped with numerous electric adjustments. The driver literally sinks into low-set sport seats with pronounced lateral support. All buttons and levers are placed intuitively. The instrument panel looks very attractive, and the beauty doesn't hinder convenience — all readings are clearly visible and read instantly.
2004 Volvo S60 AWD
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
2006 Mazda6 MPS
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
The Mazda interior looks more modest. In essence, the hot version differs from the regular "six" only by aluminum inserts and a speedometer marked up to 280 km/h. But the ergonomics of the driver's seat are no worse, and perhaps even better than in the Volvo. There's nothing to fault here. The seats aren't as "bucket-shaped" as the Swede's, but their profile is excellent. The only downside is the slippery leather upholstery.
Now to the most interesting part. Both cars are all-wheel drive, and in normal mode they drive like front-wheel-drive cars, engaging the rear axle only upon wheelspin. But the implementation differs: the Volvo has a Haldex multi-plate clutch, the Mazda has an electromagnetic one. At the same time, the "hot six" hasn't lost comfort. The suspension, though a bit stiff, handles even serious bumps quite successfully. Potholes and cracks don't spoil the impression or affect behavior in corners. The steering and suspension are tuned so that the driver feels complete understanding with the car. Only the power steering disappointed: during sharp and fast steering wheel rotations, it noticeably "bites."
If you abruptly release the throttle, the car starts to drift. And if you didn't have enough speed in a corner, just press the throttle — and the car clearly goes sideways, taking the arc as needed. The engine and gearbox combination is brilliantly refined: torque is delivered to the wheels timely and precisely. Even with the stability control turned off, the "hot six" remains predictable and safe to drive.
2004 Volvo S60 AWD
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
2006 Mazda6 MPS
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
The Volvo, on the contrary, doesn't provoke aggressive driving at all. On this car, it's much more pleasant to blast down a smooth straight highway. The Swede's suspension is softer than the Japanese car's, smoothing out potholes and almost lulling passengers. The steering is less informative, and there's a feeling of "vagueness" near the center position. Because of this, it's hard to tell how much the wheels are turned, and the low sensitivity forces you to turn the wheel through large angles. In corners, the S60 constantly tends to understeer, and you can't turn off the DSC system, which completely kills the desire to experiment. So it turns out: two classmates from the same concern with identical units — but completely different characters. Perhaps that's the intent — so that every buyer can choose a car to their spirit.
Technical specifications Mazda6 MPS // Volvo S60 AWD
Curb weight, kg – 1590 // 1560
Dimensions, mm:
- length – 4740 // 4576
- width – 1780 // 1804
- height – 1445 // 1428
Wheelbase, mm – 2675 // 2715
Top speed, km/h – 240 // 225
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s – 6.6 // 7.3
Fuel consumption, l/100 km:
- city cycle – 14.6 // 13.3
- highway – 7.8
- combined – 10.3
Engine:
- type – 4-cylinder, turbocharged // 5-cylinder, turbocharged
- displacement, cm3 – 2261 // 2521
- power, hp at rpm – 260/5500 // 210/5000
- torque, Nm at rpm – 308/3000 // 320/1500
Transmission – manual, 6-speed // automatic, 5-speed
Tire size – 215/45R18 // 225/45R17
Suspension (front and rear) – independent
Brakes (front and rear) – disc, ventilated
Steering – rack and pinion, power-assisted
Price, $ – 42,300 // from 40,000
Advantages and disadvantages
Mazda6 MPS
+ Excellent handling, cabin ergonomics.
– Low performance of the power steering.
Volvo S60 AWD
+ Cabin ergonomics, brakes, ride smoothness.
– Handling, visibility.
Who won?
Summing up, I want to recall first impressions. The Volvo is a comfortable cruise liner designed for long trips on perfect highways. The Mazda will clearly appeal to those who love the smell of burnt rubber. At the same time, the "six" won't look out of place in a business center or golf club parking lot. The price of the car with the 266-horsepower engine is $42,300, and dealers will ask another thousand for the electric sunroof. The Volvo S60 AWD in similar trim will cost just over $40,000, but its engine is weaker by 56 horsepower. And for the S60R, which is close to the MPS in characteristics, you'll have to pay $59,990. However, Volvos have never been cheap.
Most likely, victory will go to the Mazda: with clearly better driving qualities, it also offers an ergonomic and attractive cabin. But, as always, the final decision is up to the buyer.
© 5 Koleso