Fight for the Title; Malaysia D segment Car..

If there is one end of the market where there is no shortage of choice, it is to be found in the Executive car market, or to be more marketing specific, the D-segment. From the usual two-horse race fought between Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the list has grown to include Nissan Teana, Mazda6, Hyundai YF Sonata, and Ford Mondeo Ecoboost. We had the rare opportunity to take all six of them and compare them head-to-head.


Toyota Camry 2.4V
Engine: 2,362cc four-cylinder VVT-i 2AZ-FE
Max power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque: 224Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Safety features: Dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, and vehicle stability control (VSC)
Price: RM174,990 OTR with insurance (RM2,990 for optional navigation unit)
Why you should buy it
The Camry has never been one to offer the best specifications or the latest gadgets. Instead, it sells on its stately and reliable image – two qualities that to me it is still the default choice for a senior manager’s company car. It may seem frivolous to some but the fact remain that buyers from this segment prize having a stately conservative image than fancy toys.
Why you should look elsewhere
Being in the market the longest, it comes as no surprise that the Camry not only looks dated, it feels so as well. If you are looking for something more than a comfortable car to go from point A to point B, then the Camry just doesn’t have enough character to pique your interest.


Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L
Engine: 2,354cc four-cylinder i-VTEC
Max power: 178hp @ 6,300rpm
Max torque: 222Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Safety features: Four airbags, ABS with EBD, and vehicle stability assist (VSA)
Price: RM172,800 OTR with insurance
Why you should buy it
If you like your big executive car to come with the character of a sports car, the Accord is the car for you. With a rev-happy engine and sharp handling characteristics, the Accord is an executive car which brims with youthful vigour. But more than just a driver’s car, the Accord is a well-built, refined and practical day-to-day car.
Why you should look elsewhere
Its rev-happy engine and sharp handling dynamics comes at the cost of effortless progress and ride comfort. If you have every intention of putting your car to chauffer-driven duties, the Accord won’t be suitable for this task.


Nissan Teana 2.5L V6
Engine: 2,496cc V6 VQ25DE
Max power: 180hp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque: 228Nm @ 4,400rpm
Transmission: XTronic CVT, front-wheel drive
Safety features: Four airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with traction control
Price: RM173,000 OTR with insurance (RM2,500 for optional navigation unit)
Why you should buy it
The Chinese (in China) had good reason to bestow the Teana the title of “King of Comfort”. With its plush seats, vast rear legroom, and supple suspension, the Teana was the car everybody wanted to take home after a long day’s work. Being the only contender here with a V6 engine and CVT gearbox, the Teana delivers the smoothest drive in this category bar none.
Why you should look elsewhere
Even though underneath that big cumbersome body lie a properly sorted chassis, drivers won’t like the Teana’s strangely lifeless steering. Although its beige interior lifts the mood of the cabin, it will take a lot of effort to keep it from looking dirty.


Mazda6 2.5
Engine: 2,488cc four-cylinder VIS and S-VT
Max power: 168hp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque: 226Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Safety features: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, dynamic stability control (DSC) and traction control system (TCS)
Price: RM174,877 OTR without insurance
Why you should buy it
The Mazda6’s exterior looks by far the best, the body’s crisp lines give it a taut, compact, sporty, yet presentable appearance. But the 6 isn’t trading on looks alone. Its chassis strikes the right balance in ride and handling and the steering is among the best in this company.
The 6 also boasts the best build quality. Everything has a feel of solidity and quality, from the feel of the switchgear to how the door closes.
Why you should look elsewhere
Despite its sporty chassis and interior ambience, the 6’s engine feels wheezy and strained by comparison. And you can tell that the 6 is more angled towards being a driver’s car as it is the only one in this company that lacks rear air-conditioner vents.


Hyundai YF Sonata 2.4
Engine: 2,359cc four-cylinder Dual CVVT
Max power: 176hp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Safety features: Dual airbags, ABS with BA, and electronic stability program (ESP) with hill assist control (HAC)
Price: RM163,888 OTR with insurance
Why you should buy it
Forget all your preconceived notions about Korean carmaker Hyundai. This Sonata serves as a massive leap forward from the Sonatas of old in terms of looks and quality. It is probably the most fascinating looking cars to come out on this side of the market, and at its price, its competitors can’t better what the Sonata offers in terms of equipment.
Why you should look elsewhere
Hyundai seem to have got their priorities mixed up in the ride and handling department. The Sonata has a stiff ride quality closer to the Accord, and dull handling characteristics reminiscent of a Camry. While we did mention the Sonata made a big leap forward in quality, its switchgear still feels a few years behind that of its rivals.


Ford Mondeo EcoBoost
Specifications
Engine: 1,999cc four-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged Ti-VCT
Max power: 200hp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque: 300Nm @ 4,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch, front-wheel drive
Safety features: Seven airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, electronic stability program (ESP), traction control (TCS), hill launch assist (HLA)
Price: RM179,888 OTR with insurance
Why you should buy it
Though it has the smallest engine here, the two-litre Ecoboost chucks out the biggest serving of delicious torque. As such progress in the Mondeo has never felt so effortless before, and with direct-injection and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission to boot, its so environmentally friendly as well. While the other cars feel their size here, the Mondeo’s shrinks around you with its deft handling and supremely capable chassis, without so much as sacrificing that all-important ride comfort.
Why you should look elsewhere
Even though it is the most well equipped car in terms of safety features, there aren’t a lot of toys on board for its price. Though big in size, it does fall short in terms of practically with a noticeable lack of the practical cubby holders and boot space compared to what the Japanese rivals offer.

Our pick
If you love to be seated in the hot seat up front, then the Mondeo’s combination of superb chassis dynamics, punchy engine, and quick dual-clutch transmission will be the car for you. It outclasses the Accord and Mazda6 in terms of sheer driver involvement, ride and handling balance, and bests the competition with such a torque-laden engine. However, most buyers in this end of the market would have put their driving days behind them and would want to settle for a comfortable cruiser.
And when it comes down to that, no car does it better than the hugely admirable Nissan Teana. Big on the inside, big on comfort, and big on character, little wonder that we named it our Executive Car of the Year last year.