From the logbook: 2009 Mazda6

The last-generation Mazda6 had some room for improvement. Sized for European roads, the global design lacked the interior space and horsepower of competing mid-sized family sedans here in the United States. It fell somewhat short in noise and ride refinement, too, and reliability bugs took several years to shake. With around 80,000 6’s being sold each year, it didn’t compete well in a segment where the main players (Chevrolet Impala, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry) sell over 200,000 cars a year.

Enter the redesigned 2009 Mazda6. The company is aiming big as they try to regain lost ground and move away from the shortcomings of the first 6. In fact, Mazda touts this car as "The totally, completely, 100% new Mazda6," although I’m pretty sure there’s probably a nut or bolt somewhere that looks familiar.

While the new car is bigger and more powerful, the hatchback and wagon versions are gone. (Cue angry mob of wagon loyalists. We’ve asked Mazda about the wagon’s demise and were told that since monthly sales were in the low hundreds, they couldn’t justify a new version. Ditto the V6 with a manual transmission.)

Having gone to a lot of manufacturer press conferences and presentations, I’ve never heard one that actively seeks older buyers. But that’s exactly Mazda’s goal: move the 6 from its current demographic of 25-35 year-olds and aim at the sweet spot of the middle-aged family-sedan buying market. A side benefit: this would move the 6 away from overlapping in price and buyer profile with the smaller Mazda3. 

Another goal for any car company is to wean itself off of rebates and incentives, which were pretty common on the last-generation 6. If Mazda pulls that off, luxury-craving buyers will be in for some sticker shock. To get full leather or heated seats, you’ve got to buy the top-level Grand Touring; these options aren’t available on lower trim levels. Compare that with $26,125 for a four-cylinder Honda Accord EX-L, $28,555 for the V6 Accord EX-L, or $26,550 for a Hyundai Sonata Limited V6.

To justify the 6’s cost, Mazda throws in a lot of equipment into the top trim line that isn’t really common for this class, such as a driver’s memory seat or standard blind-zone detection system. Limiting options configurations also saves money when building the car and simplifies inventory. But making more common luxury items available at lower price levels would probably appeal to more buyers, especially in this economic climate.

But enough marketing and price-speak. How is the new Mazda6 to drive and live with day-to-day? We bought two of them: a $21,920 four-cylinder 6i Sport and a $30,790 V6 Grand Touring. Here are some raw comments from the testers’ logbook:

"Bigger, smoother than last generation."

"Nice driving position. Low dash gives good visibility, but rear deck is a bit high for good rear visibility."

"[V6 has] plenty of power with quick shifts."

“Firm seat with long cushion; could use more lumbar support."

"Stylish inside and out."

"Nice taut feel lacking in many competitive cars."

"Odd that there isn’t an iPod control."

"V6 is torquey and refined. Feels like a considerable step-up from the four."

"Blind-spot detection system works well, but often picks up guard rails and objects to the side."

"Huge trunk, plenty of interior room."

"V6 is strong and sounds good."

"Nice (four-cylinder) power and smooth transmission gives better than expected performance."

"Too many beeps from blind-spot monitoring."

"[Six-cylinder] ride is notably stiffer than our four-cylinder model."

"Good car that competes with some great cars. Costs thousands more than Accord EX-L—good luck with that!"

Lingering reservations about value aside, our first impressions are mostly favorable. We’ll see what happens after we conduct our fuel economy testing – our four-cylinder lacks a trip computer, and the 3.7-liter V6’s fuel economy wasn’t exactly class-leading when we tested a Mazda CX-9 – and the rest of the full test schedule here at our track.

—Tom Mutchler. Photo by Mike Leung.

Comments

[sam]

hi........ this blog is very good.
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sam

[Ron]

No manual with the V6? Call that zoom-zoom? C'mon Mazda! Or maybe you are saving it for the Mazdaspeed version?

[Dean]

I agree with the lumbar comment. Also, it seems not to retract enough.

I am very possibly going to buy one before Oct 31st as a bonus offer from Mazda expires then.

Please post any figures (even preliminary) regarding the CR city mileage simulation. I drive 90% city and do not want to make a mistake if it does not at least equal CR's measure for the Altima (18mpg city).

Thank you!

[Copel Marcus]

Re Mazda 6: I'm 6'2" -= almost all in the legs. Lots of room in the driver's seat. Impossible in the front passenger seat. Like the Subaru Legacy, the 6 has the HVAC works hanging under the dash and taking over the footwell. With my size 14's, I'd never make it as a passenger. Do you guys ever check for that kind of detail?

[A L]

Before buying my 2008 Mazda 6 in February 2008, I owned a 2000 Mazda Protege. I liked the Protege very much but needed to upgrade to the 6 because I spend a lot of time on the road with my job. The Protege is too lightweight for somebody on the road everyday (25,000 kms driven in 9 months). A problem shared by the Protege and my new 6 is a serious lag in acceleration and shifting. I talked to the dealership about it and they claim there is nothing wrong with the car. Overall the 6 is a great looking and handling car, but if this is all they can offer for acceleration and shifting I would not buy another Mazda. There is something seriously wrong here and the dealership won't take responsibility for it. This problem would affect the re-sale value as well. I'm not impressed.

[Josh D]

Sedans nice in the new Mazda 6. Bit plain looking without a rear spolier which can be added by dealer but really disappointing no Sportswagon or 5 Door as yet, although now MazdaUSA is saying in 2010 there could be all 3 versions avaialable again however, I agree with the comments above that no 6 speed manual isnt really Zoom Zoom as Mazda says their nickname is. 272 HP & no manual tranny with a clutch??? Very odd indeed.
Also, where's the All Wheel Drive versions of the 6's & a Hybrid version. Mazda's going to fall behind again in a year or two. Hyundai now is coming with a Genesis coupe coming out soon in 4 cyl 210 HP & the 3.8 V6 with 306 HP & rumours of a Hybrid in 2011 or 2012 & both their 210HP & 306 HP version have a 6speed manual with a clutch. Fancy that!! The Mazda CX-7 is a nice small SUV but taking up space that should be for the M6 SportsWagon & 5 Door, the engine on the CX-7 is too torquey at times & shifting is slow as well at times. CX-9 is more fun, more powerful, & roomier & the M6 Wagon would be perfect for an alternative for those of us who dont want an Xover SUV. All Mazda has to do is make an All Wheel Drive M6 Wagon with a 6 speed manual(not just the automanual) & I'll be banging on their door to buy the Wagon. Zoom Zoom needs more Zoom Zoom of they truly follow what they say.

[Dawson]

My wife and I recently purchased a Mazda 6. I am not sure how the authors are complaining about price when we were able to get the much larger, better looking Mazda 6 for less than the price of a Civic. Granted, we were looking at the base model of both cars. We were off the lot in a brand new Mazda 6 with 22 miles on the odometer for 16,450. The prices quoted for the baseline Civic to us from our local dealerships were 17,017 +++ (taxes, tags, title add another 1000). For the money, I can't imagine a better vehicle.