The new Legacy is roomy, sturdy, high on utility and easy to drive. It is also the most affordable car in this company. But in targeting the Camry crowd, who want their transport to be fuss-free even if it means being bland, the mid-range Subaru has lost some character along the way. It is possible, though, to restore the car’s missing personality, but you need to fork out an extra $25,000 – to buy the turbocharged 2.5-litre 265bhp Legacy GT.
The Mazda 6 is a nice drive in every sense of the word. It looks racy, especially in flowing hatchback form, and its performance is keen to play along with the enthusiastic driver at the wheel. But there is a price to be paid in road noise and engine din. And that exterior stylishness appears to be at the expense of interior roominess. The 6 is a driver’s car all right, but his passengers are better off elsewhere.
The Ford takes the first prize in this competition. It does everything right on the road, offering a splendid set of safety and luxury features, and playing equally well the dual roles of executive express and family carrier. Simply put, the Ford Mondeo is the most capable car you can get for under $100,000 today.
Mazda 6 2.0 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 1999cc
Cylinder layout Inline-4
Valves 16, DOHC
Bore x stroke 87.5mm x 83.1mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Power (with motor) 147bhp at 6500rpm
Torque 185Nm at 4000rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 5-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 204km/h
0-100km/h 10.8 seconds
Consumption 13km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Double wishbones, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Size 215/50 R17
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 4
Traction Control No
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4735mm
Width 1795mm
Height 1440mm
Wheelbase 2725mm
Kerb Weight 1449kg
Power to Weight Ratio 101.4bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 11m
BUYING IT
Price $96,488 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Sporty outlook, enthusiastic dynamics, classy touches here and there
– Flat and unsporty driver’s seat, least roomy of the trio, less quick than it looks
Ford Mondeo 2.3 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 2261cc
Cylinder layout Inline-4
Valves 16, DOHC
Bore x stroke 87.5mm x 94mm
Compression ratio 10.6:1
Power 160bhp at 6500rpm
Torque 208Nm at 4000rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 207km/h
0-100km/h 10.2 seconds
Consumption 10.8km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Goodyear Excellence
Size 215/55 R16
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 7
Traction Control Yes, with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4778mm
Width 1886mm
Height 1500mm
Wheelbase 2850mm
Kerb Weight 1555kg
Power to Weight Ratio 102.9bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 11.4m
BUYING IT
Price $94,999 incl. COE
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Beautifully balanced performance, fantastic seats in the front, logical cockpit controls
– Mediocre head room for driver, plastics quite dubious in places, styling sensitive to body colour
Subaru Legacy 2.0 (A)
ENGINE
Capacity 1994cc
Cylinder layout Flat-4
Valves 16, DOHC
Bore x stroke 92mm x 75mm
Compression ratio 10.2:1
Power 150bhp at 6000rpm
Torque 196Nm at 3000rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type CVT with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 203km/h
0-100km/h 11.1 seconds
Consumption 11km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Double wishbones, coil springs
BRAKES
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Discs
TYRES
Type Bridgestone B250
Size 205/60 R16
SAFETY
ABS Yes
Airbags 8
Traction Control Yes, with VDC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4730mm
Width 1780mm
Height 1505mm
Wheelbase 2750mm
Kerb Weight 1470kg
Power to Weight Ratio 102bhp/tonne
Turning Circle 11m
BUYING IT
Price $90,400 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/60,000km
+ Refined and relaxing ride, spacious and practical cabin, lowest pricing of the lot
– Oddball exterior design, some switches too small, acceleration feels aloof
