A 2021 Toyota Camry lists at $22,208 on the used market, per average listing data from CoPilot. A 2021 Mazda6 lists at $18,416. Both earned five-star overall NHTSA crash ratings. Both last 200,000 to 300,000 miles with normal maintenance, per RepairPal longevity data. Both cost under $500 a year to maintain.
The $3,800 difference is not a reliability gap. It's a brand attention gap.
What Happened to the Mazda6
Mazda discontinued the 6 in the US after the 2021 model year, ending a 20-year run. No announcement of a replacement. No farewell edition. The car just stopped appearing on dealer lots.
When a model gets discontinued, its used price ceiling gets cut. There's no new version driving aspirational demand, no current MSRP anchoring resale expectations, no dealer pushing certified pre-owned inventory. Buyers who wanted a new midsize sedan moved on to the Camry, the Accord, and the K5. The Mazda6's used inventory got quieter.
CarScout's April 2026 data shows 65 active 2021 Mazda6 listings nationwide. The 2021 Toyota Camry has 918. Same model year, 14 times the Camry supply. Despite that supply advantage, the Camry costs more. That's demand pulling the Camry up, not Mazda6 scarcity pulling it down.
What the Reliability Data Actually Says
The argument for paying more for a Camry is usually reliability. The data doesn't support a gap between these two cars.
The 2021 Mazda6 earned an 83/100 reliability score from U.S. News and World Report. NHTSA gave it five stars overall, five stars in frontal crash, five stars in side crash. RepairPal puts annual maintenance cost at $480. Among 248 KBB consumer reviews for the 2021 model, 88% of owners recommend the vehicle.
Consumer Reports rates the final-generation Mazda6 above average on reliability, with the 2017-2021 model years showing the strongest record as the platform matured past early launch issues.
The 2.5L Skyactiv-G naturally aspirated engine is specifically what you want here. It has no known catastrophic failure modes, no pattern recalls on the drivetrain. The 2.5T turbo variant has some reported transmission and cooling concerns in early production runs. Stick with the non-turbo unless you specifically want the performance.
Head-to-Head: Midsize Sedans in the Same Price Range
| Model | Year | Avg Used Price | NHTSA Overall | Reliability | Annual Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda6 | 2021 | ~$18,400 | ★★★★★ | Above Average | ~$480 |
| Toyota Camry | 2021 | ~$22,200 | ★★★★★ | Above Average | ~$462 |
| Honda Accord | 2021 | ~$23,600 | ★★★★★ | Above Average | ~$400 |
| Hyundai Sonata* | 2022 | ~$20,300 | ★★★★★ | Average | ~$458 |
| Kia K5 | 2022 | ~$21,100 | ★★★★★ | Average | ~$462 |
*2020 and newer only. The 2015-2019 Sonata used the Theta II engine, which had documented catastrophic failure and fire risks across multiple NHTSA investigations. The 2020+ SmartStream engine has no such history. Pricing from CoPilot and CarGurus average listing data, April 2026.
The Mazda6 is $3,800 below the Camry and $5,200 below the Accord. On comparable cars in terms of size, safety, and longevity, that's the cost of brand preference.
Why the Gap Exists Now
Used car prices across all segments are elevated heading into spring 2026. Tariffs on imported new vehicles pushed average new car transaction prices to $49,353 in February, per Kelley Blue Book's April 2026 analysis. That spike sent more buyers into the used market. Many of them defaulted to Toyota and Honda because those brands carry the strongest reliability reputation, deserved or not.
The result: Toyota and Honda used inventory gets bid up faster than comparable alternatives. A buyer who'd have stretched to a new Camry is now competing for a used one, driving average asking prices above what the car's age and mileage alone would justify.
The Mazda6 didn't get that surge. It wasn't on most shortlists. It's a discontinued car from a brand with about 2% of US market share. That combination means less competition for the same quality of car.
Which Year to Buy
The final generation Mazda6, launched for 2014, improved steadily as Mazda resolved first-year platform issues.
The 2017-2021 range is the reliability sweet spot. The 2018-2019 models received a mid-cycle refresh with updated infotainment, improved safety technology, and revised suspension tuning. The 2021 (final year) commands a premium for being the newest available. The 2018-2020 range typically offers the best value per dollar across trim levels.
Things to verify on any used Mazda6:
- Service records. The 2.5L is clean, but consistent oil changes matter. Ask for documentation before agreeing to a price.
- Blind Spot Monitoring and Mazda Connect. Test both in person. These systems are reliable on paper but vary in used condition.
- Undercarriage rust. More relevant if the car spent time in a salt-belt state. Check the subframe and exhaust mounting points.
FAQ
Is the Mazda6 actually as reliable as a Toyota Camry?
The 2017-2021 Mazda6 earns above-average reliability from Consumer Reports and an 83/100 reliability score from U.S. News, putting it in the same tier as the Camry. RepairPal rates annual maintenance at $480 for the Mazda6 vs. $462 for the Camry. The difference is negligible in practice. The used price gap reflects brand recognition and model discontinuation, not mechanical risk.
Why did Mazda discontinue the Mazda6?
Mazda ended US sales of the 6 after 2021 as the market shifted toward crossovers. Sedan sales across the industry fell roughly 40% between 2015 and 2021. Mazda chose to invest in the CX lineup rather than refresh the Mazda6 for a shrinking segment. No US replacement has been announced.
What's the best Mazda6 year to buy used?
The 2018-2020 model years hit the reliability sweet spot: past first-year GJ generation issues, fully featured, and not carrying the final-year premium of a 2021. For buyers who want the most recent available and don't mind paying a bit more, the 2021 is the safest choice. Avoid anything before 2017 in this generation unless the price reflects the additional age meaningfully.
CarScout tracks active Mazda6 listings by year, trim, and mileage range. If you're monitoring for price movement on a specific configuration, set up a scout alert at usecarscout.com/market/mazda/6.