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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Toyota Mazda > all
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.
the new Toyota Camry is a driving joy and good handling car. Lexus car quality with Toyota price.
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.
Benchmarking is alwiz anytime gooder than syiok sendiri bah. Proton
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.
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.
Give face after Toyota buys a 5% stake in Mazda ? LOL
P1 to benchmark against P2 products.
Pipu buy p2 coz it is cheap not because it is good
Cos Toyota is king and will always be king of all rides..face it lads…and move on with ur lifes k
Harrier turbo 240hp. Life’s good.
Learn from the Best or nothing
Then I am a new Toyota fan.
Gogo Vios gazoo..
Steady. Better late than never
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?
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.
Meanwhile, Toyota outsources the development of its legendary Supra to BMW…Interesting times, indeed.
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
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.
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.
Sushi cars no RV in europe
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.
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.
I like your thinking. You raised a very good point
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.
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…
In 10 years time they are sure to benchmarked against Geely..
Geely alredi benchmarking against VolvoCar global standard. Mazda is way way below even that. Soon even P1 will be higher than Mazda.
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
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 ?
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.
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.
Ukur baju badan sendiri
In JAPAN, only Toyota is the choice.. Nobody talks about Nissan and Honda.. Your friends and relatives in JPN will advise the right choice..
thats a very bad move by mazda
toyota sux in their design
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.