Originally Posted by Roweraay

What I don't like about the Mazda3 is their switching to a non-independent rear suspension in the rear, in the current generation. I know their engineering budget is limited, and they have to prioritize, but that's a poor move in a car with sporting ambitions, IMO.

They did the same (non-independent rear beam suspension) in their CX-50 too. The CX-5 on the other hand has an independent front/rear suspension. Very inconsistent equipment strategy across their lineup.

Originally Posted by Roweraay

TSX is a design from their American design studio (as is their RDX).......essentially, "Form over function". The hood is super long to give the appearance of a longitudinally mounted-engine, that's typical of RWD products, while in reality, it is a transversely mounted setup that's typical of FWD products, with AWD hardware added on. The long hood thus is purely for looks, with no practical benefit. So that impedes on the interior space (for the same overall length), since interior space maximization was not the design priority, unlke the Accord, where interior space maximization is a priority. I think the philosophy Honda uses for cars like the Accord is: "Man maximum, Machine minimum" (minimize exterior size, but maximize the space for the occupants).

Honda's Japanese design group does the reverse...."function over form", which is essentially a prioritization of functionality, even if they have to take a bit of a hit on the looks.

I am personally a "function over form" kind of guy.

Originally Posted by Roweraay

If I am not mistaken, the current Honda Civic has more interior room than the Mercedes E-class, even though the exterior dimensions of the E-class are significantly larger. The Civic is extremely spacious on the inside. FWD and transverse mounting helps there.

So, without looking up the numbers, I believe the TSX would be comparable to the Mercedes E-class, both from an interior space standpoint, and also from an exterior dimensions standpoint. Having said that, I doubt anyone cross-shops them.

Originally Posted by ua549

Actually the interior room is just about equal. Civic is roomier in some areas and E class is roomier in others. The differences are less than an inch in each interior measurement - front & rear leg room, head room, hip room and shoulder room.

Originally Posted by W205C43PFL

I see. How much bigger is the new Accord compared to the outgoing E-Class and the new W214 E-Class?

Originally Posted by Roweraay

Remember we are talking about the Civic being of comparable size inside, vis-a-vis the E-class.

The Accord is enormously larger inside than the E-class (the W214 is barely an extra inch or so of additional legroom over the W213), from a passenger accomodation standpoint. The Honda Accord has nearly a half foot (5.6") of extra legroom over the W213.