September 1, 2009
TUNED BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS AND CARES ABOUT DRIVING
"Every control - steering, throttle response and brakes - feels as if it has been tuned by someone who knows and cares about driving.”
— Edmunds Inside Line
CLASS BENCHMARK
"Mazda started with a car that was still at the top of its class after more than five years and made it even more appealing to buyers."
— Automobile Magazine 02.09
RIVALING THE SPORTS CARS FROM MANY MANUFACTURERS
"With steering response and feedback rivaling the sports cars from many manufacturers, the 2010 Mazda3 clearly retains the dynamic credentials it has inherited from the current car."
— Edmunds Inside Line
FULLY LOADED
“And when we say fully loaded, we mean fully loaded - this little charmer was equipped with luxury features you'd never expect to find in an economy sedan. (Mazda3s Grand Touring).”
—Automobile Magazine 02.09
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September 29, 2009
Read the Edmunds MAZDA6 Review
With a few well-established vehicles dominating the midsize sedan segment, and numerous likable competitors trying to unseat them, it's tough for any particular vehicle to stand out. However, the handsome Mazda 6 has something most competitors don't: charisma.
While just about any car in this segment will get the job done, the 6 manages to engage the driver in the process. This was particularly true of the first-generation 6, whose relatively compact European footprint and sporty suspension tuning gave it a remarkably nimble feel. For the new second-generation 6, Mazda has enlarged the car's dimensions while still retaining much of the original model's handling panache. Depending on your needs, either generation could make for a solid midsize sedan choice.
Current Mazda 6
First offered for the 2009 model year, the current Mazda 6 is powered by one of two engines -- a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 170 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.7-liter V6 that cranks out 272 hp and 269 lb-ft. The four is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, while the V6 is only available with a six-speed automatic.
The 6 is available in seven trim levels: i SV, i Sport, i Touring, i Grand Touring, s Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring. Models with the "i" prefix come with the four-cylinder engine, while models with the "s" prefix come with the V6. Base models are respectably equipped, while higher trim levels come with such niceties as alloy wheels, xenon headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control and an audible blind-spot monitoring system. Major options include a sunroof, an in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio and a navigation system.
Visually, the current 6 is no wallflower, with a distinctive face and front fender flares that recall Mazda's RX-8 sports car. But the previous-generation 6 looked pretty good, too. The trouble with that car, in the eyes of American consumers, was its relatively diminutive size and lack of an authoritative V6. Mazda clearly took these criticisms to heart, as the 6 now stacks up well against perennial class leaders such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry with regard to passenger space, cargo volume and optional V6 vigor. Moreover, neither the Accord nor the Camry can match the Mazda's entertaining character on twisty back roads, yet the 6 still manages to offer a satisfactorily compliant ride.
There are a few downsides to the new Mazda 6. First, the V6 may be powerful, but its fuel economy brings up the rear in this segment. Second, interior materials quality is hit-or-miss, as the rich soft-touch material on the right side of the dashboard contrasts with cheap-feeling plastic elsewhere. And third, the current 6 doesn't have as much oomph during spirited cornering as its predecessor, an inevitable consequence of its considerable gains in size and weight.
Nonetheless, the Mazda 6 is one of our top choices in the midsize sedan segment. It's now competitive with the best in terms of spaciousness, and only Nissan's Altima can match its combination of style and handling prowess. |
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