Most of the time, it's sad to see a car grow up and become more mature and accommodating to the masses. More often than not it means a car loses its original identity that set it apart from the crowd. Thankfully, the new Mazda 6 has retained many of the traits that made it such an enjoyable driving midsize sedan during the previous generation.
Dimensions have grown in every direction for a larger interior space and trunk. There is a clear jump in interior quality with a more stylish layout and soft-touch materials on major surfaces. Seating position is comfortable and the backseat appears to be more accommodating for passengers compared to the last car.
The new car is good looking on the outside as well with a fuller, more distinctive appearance, while the flared front fenders styled after the RX-8's keep it sporty.
A more potent four-cylinder engine with 14 more hp and 13 more lb-ft of torque over the previous model help the 6 better compete with the class-leading Camry and Accord. The new engine has instant throttle response and smoothly runs up to redline. Off the line, the 6 isn't a barn burner but there is plenty of power here to keep driving interesting, especially when you keep the tach's needle dancing at the top half of the rev band.
Also helping to keep the driving entertainment level high is the stellar six-speed manual transmission. In most cars in the class, if you want a manual on the base engine it usually is a five-speed and you have to get the stripper version with none of the trick luxury features. In the 6, you get the six-speed and can still get features like navigation and Bose sound system as options, which is way cool.
I found the ride comfortable and better dampened compared to its predecessor that would crash and bang a little over the bumps. The suspension is certainly still among one of the stiffer ones in the class, but still does a great job taking the edge off of road craters and ruts. Cabin isolation is also noticeably improved.
So in the new Mazda 6's case, seeing it evolve isn't such a bad thing. It's a better car in every measure than the old one and has stayed true to its fun-driving roots. Now we just have to see if it can transplant some midsize sedan customers from the Toyota and Honda camp to the Mazda fold.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A nice midsize sedan. One of my favorites. I think Mazda did a terrific job with the exterior and interior re-design. Love the four's flexibility in combination with the six-speed. Frankly I thought I was driving the six-cylinder.
The driving position is comfortable and the seats are terrific. The steering felt a bit light to my tastes but not a huge problem. For the most part the interior is well designed and the materials are good.
I did think the ride was a little choppy, but again nothing too bad unless the pavement gets rough, as Detroit's does. The last Accord I drove rode smoother, felt more refined. Come to think of it, so did the Malibu.
But overall I love these midsize Mazdas. I haven't driven a bad one yet.
On this one, I'd ditch the navigation system and save the two grand.
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Solid redesign, both inside and out. The previous car was a winner from the jump, and if customers were happy with that car they should have no problem accepting this one as its replacement.
The four-cylinder is perfectly acceptable in its performance, but the chassis can definitely handle more power from the V6. This engine is also on the buzzy side, as four-cylinders tend to be, which detracts somewhat from the high-end feel you get from much of the rest of the car.
MANAGING EDITOR ROGER HART: Right across the line Mazda is producing cars with a consistent ride and handling feel. While that whole “zoom-zoom” thing is annoying as a marketing tool, it speaks to the company developing a similar feeling throughout its lineup, and I'd say it's working. This new 6 is a good example. I would agree with Wong that the old car was pretty good, and oftentimes the new one comes along and screws all that up. In this case, the 6 seems a bit better. The interior design, for one thing, is user friendly although I would have located the starter button up higher. With the gearshift knob in the reverse position, you have to reach around it to fire up the engine. I'm still no fan of the keyless entry devices and the elimination of the need for the key to reside someplace physically in order for the car to work. Call it old school or simply old, I don't see how this has advanced the car world. In one car, like the Viper, it was a novelty. When it filters down to everyday cars like the Mazda 6, it's cliché.
The I4 is a bit buzzy, although in this application with the six-speed manual, certainly not offensively impotent.
2009 Mazda 6i
In Fleet: Feb. 26-March 12
As-Tested Price: $29,340
Drivetrain: 2.5-liter I4; FWD, six-speed manual
Output: 170 hp @ 6000 rpm, 167 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,258 lb
Fuel Economy: (EPA/AW) 23/26.3 mpg
Options: Navigation system ($2,000); moonroof and Bose package including premium audio, moonroof, six-disk CD changer, satellite radio ($1,760)
Dimensions have grown in every direction for a larger interior space and trunk. There is a clear jump in interior quality with a more stylish layout and soft-touch materials on major surfaces. Seating position is comfortable and the backseat appears to be more accommodating for passengers compared to the last car.
The new car is good looking on the outside as well with a fuller, more distinctive appearance, while the flared front fenders styled after the RX-8's keep it sporty.
A more potent four-cylinder engine with 14 more hp and 13 more lb-ft of torque over the previous model help the 6 better compete with the class-leading Camry and Accord. The new engine has instant throttle response and smoothly runs up to redline. Off the line, the 6 isn't a barn burner but there is plenty of power here to keep driving interesting, especially when you keep the tach's needle dancing at the top half of the rev band.
Also helping to keep the driving entertainment level high is the stellar six-speed manual transmission. In most cars in the class, if you want a manual on the base engine it usually is a five-speed and you have to get the stripper version with none of the trick luxury features. In the 6, you get the six-speed and can still get features like navigation and Bose sound system as options, which is way cool.
I found the ride comfortable and better dampened compared to its predecessor that would crash and bang a little over the bumps. The suspension is certainly still among one of the stiffer ones in the class, but still does a great job taking the edge off of road craters and ruts. Cabin isolation is also noticeably improved.
So in the new Mazda 6's case, seeing it evolve isn't such a bad thing. It's a better car in every measure than the old one and has stayed true to its fun-driving roots. Now we just have to see if it can transplant some midsize sedan customers from the Toyota and Honda camp to the Mazda fold.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A nice midsize sedan. One of my favorites. I think Mazda did a terrific job with the exterior and interior re-design. Love the four's flexibility in combination with the six-speed. Frankly I thought I was driving the six-cylinder.
The driving position is comfortable and the seats are terrific. The steering felt a bit light to my tastes but not a huge problem. For the most part the interior is well designed and the materials are good.
I did think the ride was a little choppy, but again nothing too bad unless the pavement gets rough, as Detroit's does. The last Accord I drove rode smoother, felt more refined. Come to think of it, so did the Malibu.
But overall I love these midsize Mazdas. I haven't driven a bad one yet.
On this one, I'd ditch the navigation system and save the two grand.
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Solid redesign, both inside and out. The previous car was a winner from the jump, and if customers were happy with that car they should have no problem accepting this one as its replacement.
The four-cylinder is perfectly acceptable in its performance, but the chassis can definitely handle more power from the V6. This engine is also on the buzzy side, as four-cylinders tend to be, which detracts somewhat from the high-end feel you get from much of the rest of the car.
MANAGING EDITOR ROGER HART: Right across the line Mazda is producing cars with a consistent ride and handling feel. While that whole “zoom-zoom” thing is annoying as a marketing tool, it speaks to the company developing a similar feeling throughout its lineup, and I'd say it's working. This new 6 is a good example. I would agree with Wong that the old car was pretty good, and oftentimes the new one comes along and screws all that up. In this case, the 6 seems a bit better. The interior design, for one thing, is user friendly although I would have located the starter button up higher. With the gearshift knob in the reverse position, you have to reach around it to fire up the engine. I'm still no fan of the keyless entry devices and the elimination of the need for the key to reside someplace physically in order for the car to work. Call it old school or simply old, I don't see how this has advanced the car world. In one car, like the Viper, it was a novelty. When it filters down to everyday cars like the Mazda 6, it's cliché.
The I4 is a bit buzzy, although in this application with the six-speed manual, certainly not offensively impotent.
2009 Mazda 6i
In Fleet: Feb. 26-March 12
As-Tested Price: $29,340
Drivetrain: 2.5-liter I4; FWD, six-speed manual
Output: 170 hp @ 6000 rpm, 167 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,258 lb
Fuel Economy: (EPA/AW) 23/26.3 mpg
Options: Navigation system ($2,000); moonroof and Bose package including premium audio, moonroof, six-disk CD changer, satellite radio ($1,760)
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