Mazda now benchmarks Toyota instead of BMW

Mazda now benchmarks Toyota instead of BMW

It isn’t uncommon for carmakers to benchmark their cars against other competitor products to see how they stack up against them. Mazda is no exception to this, and has held BMW as a benchmark for some time, seeing how both brands share similar philosophies in creating engaging driving machines (or ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ in the case of the German marque).

However, many things have changed over the past few years, so has Mazda decide to review what it considers to be a good benchmark? Well, the folks from AutoGuide posed such a question to a Mazda engineer while trying out the company’s latest SkyActiv-X engine technology, and the answer is yes.

Apparently, Mazda isn’t very encouraged by BMW’s “new” approach to vehicle dynamics, and has now swapped for a new yardstick. The vehicle in question? Try the new Toyota Camry. Yes, the big T’s well-known nameplate that some would call uninspiring to drive is now Mazda’s inspiration for driving joy.

“If the Camry sold so well before when it was so boring to drive, they now actually have a good handling car on their hands,” said the Mazda engineer. It’s certainly high praise for Toyota that their sedan is more of a concern compared to a BMW. This is considering Mazda is a company with a history of making exciting cars. Of course, time changes everything, and Mazda may seek a new benchmark later on.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Jed Rashid on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    Toyota Mazda > all

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 43
  • Autobahn on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:07 pm

    It just shows how behind the japs car manufacturer right now…they cant keep up with the german now turning to toyota…ironically the koreans are now bench marking the german even employing top german engineers and designers for that purpose.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 303 Thumb down 28
    • the new Toyota Camry is a driving joy and good handling car. Lexus car quality with Toyota price.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 35
    • DonkeyKong on Feb 20, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      Yeah.. lame excuse just because Mazda and Toyota have some joint developments in the pipeline.. they should just say that in order to reduce R&D cost and obsession with performance and handling, they’ve decided to lower their benchmark and just settle for average all-rounder characteristics, and are using Toyota as a benchmark.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 213 Thumb down 11
      • sabahan on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:22 pm

        Benchmarking is alwiz anytime gooder than syiok sendiri bah. Proton

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
    • You’ve obviously not driven the new BMW range, nor the new generation of Camry (which isn’t yet on sale in Malaysia). The new 5 Series traded its former trademark sporty dynamics for a more comfort-orientated approach, and I can totally see why Mazda wouldn’t like that – it doesn’t suit their brand.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • BMWs used to be so desirable in the past. Today, you really have to ask yourself a hundred questions to even think why get a new BMW when the competition (ahem, Mercedes…) is so much better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 55 Thumb down 27
  • Dogbert on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:14 pm

    Give face after Toyota buys a 5% stake in Mazda ? LOL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 6
  • TOYOTA THE KING OF KINGS ORI on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:49 pm

    Cos Toyota is king and will always be king of all rides..face it lads…and move on with ur lifes k

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 49
  • Spongewai on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Learn from the Best or nothing

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 12
  • Then I am a new Toyota fan.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 27
  • 4G63T DSM on Feb 20, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    oh No.

    That does not sound right.

    Can someone please tell mazda that the reason why a camry sold well isn’t because of driving dynamics?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 6
    • Laughing on Feb 24, 2018 at 3:58 pm

      Article referring new Camry, which are using Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. Didn’t you try one? Probably no since not one with this have launch in Malaysia. Namely gen4 Prius, and Toyota CHR.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Meanwhile, Toyota outsources the development of its legendary Supra to BMW…Interesting times, indeed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 40 Thumb down 4
    • klata-klata on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Toyota source BMW 4-port 2Litre twin-turbo engines for some of their premium cars. So does Infiniti. Those BMW engines are excellent. Using and Love the diesel model

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • the driver on Feb 20, 2018 at 6:16 pm

    German cars such as BMW, Mercedes and VW are good cars to begin with but quickly depreciate due to numerous small issues. Well engineered but not lasting unlike Japanese cars. The most reliable car marquees remain Japanese as evidenced by numerous auto journals.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 9
    • klata-klata on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:46 pm

      My 6 year old BMW had all 4 wheel speed sensors failed one after another, and the door handle liner became tacky and crumbled like biscuits. No other problem.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Sushi cars no RV in europe

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Friar Y on Feb 21, 2018 at 7:14 am

      Then why Japanese cars not selling so well globally like before in the 1980s and 1990s? In facg today Japanese cars have lost out to to all car companies and not just German.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Farhan on Feb 20, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    Germans have actually reached a plateau in car manufacturing. Their engines have reached maximum efficiency and aerodynamics and that is why they don’t have ‘new’ designs because the one they have now are the best. Like audi, bmw and mercedes they all just have minor changes. As for the Japs they still have a few ladders to climb. That is why Germans are refocussing on full electrification and how to maximize efficient EV’s. They have left the traditional engines for now and the Japs are still scrambling.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 67 Thumb down 13
    • Char Kuey Teow on Feb 20, 2018 at 10:20 pm

      I like your thinking. You raised a very good point

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Janwy on Feb 21, 2018 at 10:49 am

      I agree to you. And I agree to what Toyota and Mazda is doing, especially the spirit to continue to target on developing a better thermal efficient engine.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • mazda on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    What is the message mazda wanna express with this statement. Same with their claims that European prefer tradition engine and does not prefer autonomous driving. To begin mazda is not a successful car maker. They could not keep up with the best and try to make themselves looks good…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 68 Thumb down 3
  • azrai on Feb 20, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    In 10 years time they are sure to benchmarked against Geely..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
    • Geely alredi benchmarking against VolvoCar global standard. Mazda is way way below even that. Soon even P1 will be higher than Mazda.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1
  • Alvin Sea on Feb 21, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Mazda cars come with lifetime kruk kruk suspension system. Bermaz after sales is lousiest among Japs. Think twice at least before you consider getting a mazda. #mazdaowner #bermaz #lousyaftersales

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
    • joe jambu on Feb 22, 2018 at 10:10 am

      dumbass…Bermaz giving free 3 years /60,000 KM free maintenance for Mazda car ( except the BT-50 truck) ..what is toyota or honda giving for after sales ?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Says the guy who drives a Myvi and never touched a Mazda.. lol..

      Anyone who’s driven a Mazda will know that Honda Toyota and even a lot of other brands can’t even come close to the drive and feel of Mazda.

      No need to argue, simply go test drive one.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol (Member) on Feb 21, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Of course they can’t, the 5 Series and E Class are RWD cars. RWD and FWD dynamics are completely different. But strangely, why didn’t they compare to Volvo? The Swedes make FWD based luxury cars, and they look amazing, fairly dynamic for FWD and are very safe too. Kinda strange they look at a Camry for dynamics when the Mazda6 itself handles way better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Ukur baju badan sendiri

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Avatar 168 on Feb 21, 2018 at 1:22 pm

    In JAPAN, only Toyota is the choice.. Nobody talks about Nissan and Honda.. Your friends and relatives in JPN will advise the right choice..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • thats a very bad move by mazda
    toyota sux in their design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • This is a misleading title, everyone should read the original article on AutoGuide. The original post didn’t even say Mazda will benchmark Toyota, it quoted the engineer saying they will benchmark whatever that’s good from any manufacturer, not a direct benchmarking from a car as a whole, read below:

    “Mazda doesn’t straight up say, ‘Okay, for the new Mazda 3 we’re going to benchmark the Civic, Corolla, Sentra, and Elantra’ or something like that,” said Brown. “What the engineers do is benchmark unique qualities. So if the Chevy Cruze is the quietest car in the class, we’re going to benchmark NVH against the Cruze, we’re going to benchmark handling and ride quality against the Civic, and so on. We benchmark specific qualities against each car.”

    Paul Tan’s lazy cut and paste effort is misleading, and utmost taken out of context.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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