2024 Mazda6 Atenza v Skoda Octavia RS Comparison | This one is for the anti-SUV crowd

[@Goatman-wl5nk]

Long live sports wagons!! Sooooo much better than bloated SUVs. Great review 👍👍

[@rhysrhysrhys]

Mazda 6 wagon is one of the best looking cars on the road.

[@acepatricklu]

I drive one of them and I totally agree with you :)

[@chawalitD]

I wish they had an AWD option. But yes agree

[@mvnorsel6354]

A great review of cars seldom seen.

[@nearlyatrainspotter2102]

I have the Skoda Octavia 2 litre special edition. Brilliant car. Great drive. I have a bloated MG HS as my second car. I can see the appeal of both body types, but driving engagement is the wagon every time.

[@therealjeffg]

Great comparison test and thanks for the all the on screen comparison stats

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

The Mazda 6 also has a cargo net that is built in, which was missed in the review. The Atenza spec Mazda 6 also has a 360 view camera. Not a particuarly great one, but its there.

[@paulmcgregor6411]

Which was shown in the video when showing off the reversing camera, but was overlooked later on.

[@ml4018]

I had a 2016 Octavia Scout 135TDI Premium that I replaced last year with a Mazda6 20th Anniversary sedan. The Mazda had a list price of $52,990 plus on roads which I purchased $4K less than the list price including as driveaway. So shop around, in saying that we purchased the Skoda with some haggling and also got a $4K discount at the time. Skoda was expensive to service with a stealership but significantly cheaper (hhhmmm capped price servicing) with an aftermarket specialist with better service. Mazda servicing for the turbo is 10,000's as per the Mazda service schedule. So far though this has been cheaper at the dealership level than Skoda. Clocked 100,000K's on the Skoda and on the open road would average high 5's to mid 6's per 100k's and when time tested would punch the 0-100kph at roughly 7.2secs. The Scout had a very mild jacked up ride height but was an acclomplished handler especially with some quality rubber - Potenza RE03. The comment as to noise on the Skoda, took me by suprise as it wasn't what I would call noisy for a wagon. The Mazda6 sedan is what I considered to be noisy, especially for a sedan, but this is mostly due to the factory fitted tyres which generate a lot of road noise. As to the Mazda6, the turbo makes me cackle with laughter everytime I come out of a tight corner and give it some welly and the torque steer and axle tramp kicks in (if it's a rough road) as it tries punching 420+ newtons (I run 98 octane fuel) through those front wheels. I know it's a sedan vs wagon but the drivetrain is the same and they are a hoot for a family sleeper car. The alcantara on the dash hasn't marked up on ours and we don't have any issues with the quality either so maybe it has had a hard life as a press car. The Skoda infotainment killed the Mazda6 hands down for modern applications and visual appeal but the rotary dial is quite effective and easy to use with, as you suggested, a small amount of familiarisation. Why did I change cars? There was no issues with the Skoda until it had the 75,000k service and then started using approximately 1 litre of oil every 5,000k to which VAG said that's normal, fair oil usage....I call bull on that for a car that's driven fairly gently with mostly highway usage. Also I just never liked the DSG gearbox when in town with low speed jerkiness and when going into reverse failing to engage without above normal revs to stop it rolling forward before lurching backwards because of the extra revs. On the open road and overtaking the DSG is super fast and excellent. Perceived and possibly real world build quality is in the Mazda's favour from my experience and when you do your research it's more likely to favour the Mazda. Either way I don't think you'd be disappointed with either of these cars and think the Mazda is more GT orientated than sporty pretensions of the Skoda.

[@RodneyW]

Thanks for sharing your experience - that's a helpful comment. Reliability and longevity matter from an ownership perspective - but less so from a "review" perspective. In a recent Consumer Reports survey on reliability, Mazda was ranked 7th, and Volkswagen was 27th. You made the right call to changeover once the oil consumption picked up!

[@alanclarkeau]

With DSG - the lesser Skoda Octavia models have a proper Auto transmission.

[@abshassan]

I have the Mazda 6 Atenza, i purchased a 2022 dealer demo with 6000km on the clock and got it for $43k drive away which i thought was a bargain. Absolute great car, smooth, refine and just comfy. But yeah its showing its age and the infotainment system is pretty ordinary. The Atenza has 360 degree camera however the resolution and the screen size makes it pretty useless. But i'd love to try out the Skoda Octavia, looks like a fun car, maybe next time :)

[@braydonwen3852]

How is the fuel economy?

[@abshassan]

@@braydonwen3852 it hovers in the late 9s L (per 100km), i drive 70km a day mostly city and some motorway. I got it down to 6ish Litres per 100 when doing long distance highway, but everyday is 9.9/100.

[@TheNotedHero]

Your capped price servicing for the Octavia has an error - that $2750 is for 7 years, not 5. Also, wagons are superior to SUVS except for ease of getting in and out of them and for loading kids into booster seats. Everything else though, wagons win, imo.

[@Gdsamplify]

Great review, excellent presenter

[@thedon7530]

I’ve had a Mazda 6 GT for 13k km now. Not perfect but overall great car. Average fuel consumption so far is 8.2L per 100km. So, pretty good really.

[@anthonyfarnan5935]

My VAG diesel wagon does 2L less per 100km

[@thedon7530]

@@anthonyfarnan5935 so, how many years of driving will you need to do to redeem the $$ extra VAG purchase cost?

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

@@anthonyfarnan5935 Its a diesel, it should do better.

[@alanclarkeau]

@@anthonyfarnan5935 except they cancelled them.

[@Barry50100]

Give me my Mazda 6 GTSP Turbo wagon over an SUV any day. drives like a sports car but practical and ver comfortable. I truly love mine

[@c_woelfl]

Just wanted to add that factors in reviews such as 'cost of ownership' whilst somewhat useful do not take into consideration things like for example when a manufacturer changes to a cheaper [to manufacture] engine component such as a plastic water pump that will fail in 40-50 000km and that cost will be buried in a (usually) factored in service at a dealer under a service plan. That singular part alone I've had quoted at $450 AUD, not fitted either. And then replacement again at 100 000km. I know that it's a 'known' thing with the EA888 engine, but that doesn't make it better. As a recent owner of the Octavia RS one could argue that I should have done my research better. But when there are so few choices of the wagon shape available you end up making a compromise where you didn't think there was one to begin with. I should also add: rubber band tyres in the Sydney Metro area - highly not advised. 8000km on the odo and already replaced one tyre from hitting a pothole and a puncture now needing another replacement tyre. My car came fitted with Goodyear's. No one has any stock of Goodyear anymore due to poor work of the distributor. There will be mismatched tyres. PS I do the Princes' highway five days a week all the way to Balmain.

[@PaulHojda]

The Mazda 6 may be 12 years old but it's as good looking as ever. You cant beat a clean design the will age so well. Shame the 6 is being discontinued in most of the world without a propper successor.

[@mattrawling6646]

wonderful review. Mazda 6 Wagon looks fantastic

[@moe_1886]

Great review... if I could, I'd have both! 🤣 I have a 2010 Mazda 6 wagon and it has been an absolute trooper as a daily driver, school runs, doggo taxi and road trips! So quiet, even on bumpy country roads and it's very comfortable, with it's only flaw being how thirsty it is! I also have a 2013 Skoda Fabia 132 RS and it's a blast to drive on windy roads... but like the Octavia, it's so loud inside the cabin and the suspension is very stiff! In the end, if I could only choose between the Mazda 6 Atenza or Skoda Octavia RS, then I'd probably go the Mazda... just!

[@paulmcgregor6411]

I had a GH 2012 Mazda 6 wagon diesel up until last year. Loved it to bits and was a great car. I could still get 5L per 100km after 10 years and was a delight to drive. Traded it in for a CX-8, as the kids needed the extra space in the back and the extra seats are handy.

[@gordonclark7632]

I have a current gen Mazda 3 and like it very much however as per the 6, the screen is annoying. The problem with the 6 is that it is really getting on and needs a real update to keep it relevant with better tech and user friendliness.

[@acepatricklu]

It is some sort of mismatch though, as Mazda 6 is a D-Segment (or VW Group B) car. Although Mazda 6 has always had tighter legrooms than most competitors, it should be competing against other D-segment or B-platform (and more expensive) cars like Passat/Arteon or Superb, while Octavia/Golf is one segment smaller.

[@TheNotedHero]

Not sure why you're comparing the Mazda to the Octavia RS. Surely the Style or Sportline versions of the Octavia would've been a better choice? You say the RS is noisy but does that noise problem carry over to the other versions I wonder?

[@josephpereira1390]

You didnt mention that the Mazda 6 is one of the best looking cars around! One other point, Mazda 6 adds 14kw more power if you use premium unleaded (power to 184kw). I bought a Mazda 6 wagon GT SP for 26k with 80k on the odometer. Amazing value! Still, Im keen to see what the new 6 will be like - heard its RWD.

[@devilsadvocate2548]

When did they take the 360 degree camera out of the Mazda6? We have a 2018 Atenza Wagon and it has a 360 degree camera.

[@Bear-wj1mc]

The Atenza and 20th Anniversary models definitely have a 360 degree camera the reviewer made a mistake !

[@RodneyW]

@@Bear-wj1mc It was an error. He shows the 360 view at 3:27, while complaining about its small size.

[@nuffytreez-ez1lx]

Mazda haven't removed the 360 camera. I have noticed several errors in this video.

[@A861967]

You should also include the WRX sports wagon ❤

[@c_woelfl]

That was literally the other car I was looking at before buying the Octavia rs

[@A861967]

@@c_woelfl that’s the one I got 🙂

[@justincabrera7445]

CVT transmission steers me away from Subaru

[@Sebadoh95]

@@justincabrera7445 actually the steering wheel does that

[@kennylee1862]

Wagons are the best. More versatile and handles well. I drive a Mazda 6 Wagon.

[@wax333]

i beg a re test with the inclusion of the subaru wrx wagon or the subaru outback xt

[@brendanoriordan549]

Can i ask why the subaru WRX wagon wasnt in the test? Im guessing you didnt want to upset the VAG Boys.

[@kinarrakid5036]

How do the Mazda 6 wagon major servicing costs compare to the Skoda Octavia RS?

[@carsales]

You'll find that information in the video

[@beltwayroad]

STATION Wagons are torquey and economical like a diesel padded in leather. $40k for one lightly used or abused German model would compare well I would think in 2024.

[@robertpawley5715]

Be good to modernise Mazda 6 and put new 6 cylinder in line diesel. That would be a winner.

[@brightenupcc]

Consumers would buy more if these cars had a AWD option

[@electricdiesel1993]

Mazda 6 Atenza and Skoda Octavia RS needs AWD as turbo sportwagons instead of tedious FWD; Mazda 6 should become a Vision Coupe as MX6 with rotary rather than a doomed proposed RWD Mazda 6 with diesel and gas-guzzling turbo 3.3 L6 only for Mazda CX-60 & CX-90 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle.

[@conansternberg41]

I'd take the wagon over SUV any day. However, I'm old, inflexible and over 185cm. Getting in and out of these things is horrible. It's onto suv hell for me.

[@scottedwards948]

Add 98ron fuel to the Mazda and it has more kw 😊, also the Mazda Japanese build quality trumps . Unfortunately it is older now and no new model on the horizon so they won’t do much more to the current model.

[@rickb314]

Build quality of modern Skoda's is excellent and has been for many years. They're very well screwed together.

[@scottedwards948]

@@rickb314 yeh VW owns Skoda now , mainly built using VW parts in India , Russia , China and Slovakia . Yes better but I prefer the Japanese build quality. Have owned a couple Audis also being S3 etc which while good , we wont purchase their products in the future 👍.

[@lukalevstek7851]

Lucky you, Mazda 6 is no longer sold in Europe only second hand.

[@peterzemkooo1736]

Not true. You can still by new 6 in my country.

[@lukalevstek7851]

In Slovenia it's not available anymore.

[@igorkovac4135]

​@@lukalevstek7851 iz Nemčije ga pripelji.

[@williamhartman]

You show space saver in Mazda but keep us in the dark about the Skoda. A spare wheel is a life saver for some

[@c_woelfl]

Octavia has a space saver, mine does at least. Fun fact, in the wheel well of the spare is the subwoofer for the Canton speakers

[@APlusBOP]

Mazda is more reliable keeps it value longer and better badge

[@super_slav91]

That's why they dont sell in Europe because they break down all the time, Mazda can't get rid of them with a 10 year warranty in EU.

[@kotfast]

​@@super_slav91 you're probably talking about one engine in particular (2.2 diesel). The petrol engies are very reliable

[@super_slav91]

@@kotfast The bodies rust real quick, faster than other Japanese cars. And their 2.0 skyactive engines break too over there.

[@kotfast]

@@super_slav91 don't know where you have this information, but I'm on a lot of Fb Mazda groups and all i see is 2.2 skyactiveD engines. I have a 5y old 2.5NA and no issues whatsoever. No rust, no engine issues. The only thing that was replaced were the mirror folding motors (common Mazda issue). When i was at the dealer doing refular maintenance, I've heard that there was a recall for fuel pump replacement for some petrol engines, but that's a great thing from my point of view (mine wasn't on the list)

[@super_slav91]

@@kotfast They have oil pressure issues especially in the cold and they burn allot of oil, haven't seen a Mazda on the road in central Europe in about 3 years, a few older models that were reliable but the body was in bad shape. Allot of bottom end knocking due to loss of oil pressure to cylinder 3 and 4 , that's what my mechanic gets a lot of.

[@Splendid_Lad]

Why can’t we get these wagons in the US? Bring a variety of styles to the road. All we’re left with is trucks and SUVs… even sedans are dying off in the US.

[@rowanbyers2071]

This video explains why plus has a section showing why wagons are so great. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH-anoaOgteoe9Esi=iiQChYe6N9PAUr1l

[@cezaryotarzewski8772]

One thing is missing. Skoda has much harder suspension and after one longer trip you’ll have enough.

[@c_woelfl]

I did syd/Canberra run and back same day with my Octavia rs with the suspension in the softest setting and it just wofted along. It’s noticeably softer than my BM Mazda 3 sp25

[@markzed66]

@@c_woelfl Agreed, it's something that you can set to suit the need at hand. Eco mode and softer suspension settings for longer trips is great.

[@robertpawley5715]

So no spare tyre makes the Skǒda useless for country driving

[@alanclarkeau]

@@robertpawley5715 I think they got that wrong - by not saying that it's got one, but pointing out that Mazda does. SKODA website & brochure say it's got a pretend spare like Mazda.

[@shaun1900]

Been driving in country VIC for 20 years and never used a spare wheel.

[@rickb314]

Not sure you'd want to take a performance wagon on low profile tyres country driving all that often!

[@shaun1900]

@@rickb314 probably the daftest thing I have ever heard.

[@RodneyW]

@@shaun1900 Damn it. I've gotten all of the flat tyres you should have had.... (two in the last 12 months).

[@MyYoutube-vx2pw]

Skoda Octavia and Mazda 6 are not in the same class, thus the comparision is not so correct. You should compare Octavia and Mazda 3 or Superp and Mazda 6

[@LP-ct6xe]

Mate, I thought you had gone back to being an accountant as promised

[@fale892]

So its a $65k Skoda v $56k Mazda

[@alexanderchiang6801]

Pretty sure mazda 6 will be discontinued. Mazda is doing EV mazda 6.... Not too sure skoda octavia rs, even no info in the official website...

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

At some point yes, the 6 is going to go. Its probably got a stay of execution for two or three more years. Its looking increasingly likely whatever does take the 6 nameplate will have little or nothing to do with what built the Mazda 6 brand name and I think thats what Mazda is struggling with. They have built a lot of capital and goodwill with the 6, but wth that there also comes expectations of what a new 6 should be and do. So far Mazda, hasn't found a good match for it in their new products. A rebadged Chinese electric car is not a good option for the 6 branding in my opinion.

[@automtr]

I drove both and every single other wagon under $80K AUD. Because SUV = Stupid Ugly Vehicles IMHO the Skoda was good, but i couldn't shake the "poor man's Audi/VW' stigma, vs the "Mazda is just a Mazda" and I like to not draw attention. I'd summarise the 2 cars as - Octavia RS = stretched out hot hatch - Atenza wagon = Luxury Small Barge Zero regrets on my decision to go with the Mazda as I loved my previous MPS6

[@Posy13]

Wait so the Mazda is more comfortable more refined and cheaper and you don’t pick it even though you just said all that and that’s what people care about. And don’t discredit how sporty the Mazda is plus unlike VW/Skoda performance products of today which almost seems to easy to drive as on you press your foot on the accelerator and the classic 2.0L turbo just flies that’s not how sport cars should be. You have to think which gear to be in at what time to make the most of the great 2.5L in the Mazda and it just looks better and is way more reliable. But any wagon is better than no wagon or an suv!

[@tonyinsydney]

subaru wrx sportswagon...

[@lucassitanggang5154]

Some last letter of Škoda Name, with Q Like Elroq Kodiaq Enyaq Kamiq

[@pgilb70]

My kids 15 year old maz 6 sedan is heaps quieter than my 2015, cx5, handles better etc. Just simple physics. Suvs and Utes are pretty crap in so many ways.

[@terrydear4038]

Great but no manual option - and Skoda has the troublesome DSG.

[@alanclarkeau]

Skoda wouldn't be the car for a decent road trip - next to no dealerships. A few years ago they had a reciprocal agreement with VW dealers, but that's gone. And no spare wheel - end of story.

[@ajax240k]

Weird that the one I drove this week has a space saver spare 🤷

[@alanclarkeau]

@@ajax240k oddly - Skoda's website says so too.

[@alanclarkeau]

​@@ajax240koddly - the brochure shows it's got one (only a space saver). Had another listen - the video didn't say it doesn't have one - it said that the Mazda DID have one (only a pretend one too), leaving an assumption open that the SKODA didn't.

[@carsella11]

What kind of road trip are you thinking? Simpson Desert?

[@shaun1900]

I don’t know anybody who plans a decent road trip around where car dealerships are located. And they do have spare wheels. Numb nuts

[@Bilsoncomm]

You guys are so predictable. Mazda is cheaper, more comfortable, more refined, quieter, uses 91 fuel, and you pick Skoda. For the smart buyer Skoda=VAG=No

[@addictedtosliding]

Skoda is more fuel efficient, a better driver’s car, has better safety, better tech but, crucially, more space inside and out. Hence it got the nod, but the Mazda is lovely.

[@bg851]

Boring people drive boring cars! Perhaps a Camry would be a better choice of car for you?

[@Bilsoncomm]

Camry no doubt, but the waiting list is too long!

[@lesmotley6839]

Last year I picked up a mazda 6 GT sedan and can concur that it's pretty fast, very comfortable and extremely quiet. I can't understand why people buy SUVs over these mid sized sedans.

[@thedon7530]

@@bg851shallow people judge others by the car they drive.

[@JeremyGeduldt]

Mazda 6 left South Africa in 2019 it should return 2025 in all new model BYD MG Skoda Tesla is all down under BYD is in South Africa Jetour should come next will BYD Shark bakkie come to SA ? on the Mazda 2 3 & 6 Mazda should return in small letters at the back like it was & still mis on advertising .

[@ar5729]

Skoda anyday . Mazda are boring!

[@scottlawrie8445]

Surely you will review the A4 avant , BMW 330i , Genesis, Subaru WRX GT the list goes on and all better than those featured here.

[@TheNotedHero]

pretty serious jump up in price for those though.

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

Only if you are paying the difference in price for me and everyone else are they comparable.

[@whatthe6532]

Haha

[@InTheOuter]

Mazda been sleeping for 12 years. Shame, a model change 6 years ago may have upped the interest in the 6. Now it's dead and buried. Not sure how they are even selling these anymore.

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

The review covered those reasons nicely. Pay attention.

[@RichardPettit-r6p]

Skoda wins