9th Place: Mazda6

Overview:

The Mazda6 doesn’t deserve to place this high when you look only at its family sedan qualities. It doesn’t have the ride comfort, refinement, or interior space and quality of many of the competitors it outscores. What it does have is easily the best handling found in a family sedan, with quick responses and a very agile feel. Like the Acura TSX, it is truly fun to drive, yet it has more power and a much lower price than that car. While the Mazda6 isn’t especially roomy or quiet, it is roomy and quiet enough to be usable as a family sedan while delivering higher levels of driving enjoyment than any competitor.

Driving the Mazda6:

The Mazda6 has a firm, though still comfortable and reasonably absorbent ride, though larger bumps register clearly.  Versions with smaller wheels are a bit more comfortable. The car's relatively compact dimensions combine with the limited body roll and responsive, precise, and communicative steering to make the Mazda6 quite enjoyable in fast cornering. The 3.0-liter V6 has not been part of the recent family-sedan horsepower wars, making the Mazda6 slower than competitors like the Nissan Altima and Mitsubishi Galant, but it never feels underpowered. The engine isn't as smooth as in those cars however, and road noise can be pronounced. Gas mileage does not stand out even against larger, more powerful competitors.

Inside the Mazda6:

Inside, the Mazda6’s front seats are well-shaped and reasonably comfortable, though they could still benefit from a longer cushion and more head space. The rear is mounted high enough for sufficient thigh support, but leg and headroom are still somewhat lacking. The interior uses a few flimsy plastics, but trim pieces fit together well. It doesn't have the upscale feel of many others in this group, however. The gauges are large and clear. Some audio controls are too small. Entry/exit would be easier with larger rear footwells and wider door openings. Drivers sit very comfortably, and have clear visibility. The trunk isn’t especially large, but it is well-shaped with a good-sized opening.

Mazda6 pricing:

The Mazda6 is one of the less-expensive cars in this group. But even nearly fully loaded, it doesn't have many of the extra niceties that many competitors in this group offer, and lacks stability control.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Mazda6 is the sport sedan in this group while still being usable as a family sedan. Some sacrifices in ride comfort and refinement are made for its nimble handling, so buyers uninterested in that handling would be better-suited by another car. But as it is, the Mazda6 offers usability as a family car along with a truly enjoyable driving experience.

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