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The Mazda6 doesn’t
deserve this spot when you look only at its family sedan qualities. It doesn’t
have the ride comfort, refinement, or interior space of many farther-back
competitors, including the Ford Fusion with which it shares its platform and
powertrains. What it does have is the best handling found in a family sedan,
with quick steering responses and a very agile feel. More than any other car
in this group, it is truly fun to drive. So while it isn’t especially roomy or
quiet, it is roomy and quiet enough to be usable, if not impressive, as a
family sedan while delivering levels of driving enjoyment far above any
like-priced competitor.
The Mazda6 has a firm,
though still comfortable and reasonably absorbent ride, though larger bumps
register clearly, particularly with the Grand Sport’s 18-inch tires. The ride
firmness helps make this the most fun-to-drive car in this group. Its
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 18-inch tires add little usability outside of
a racetrack, and add to ride stiffness and road rumble. The 3.0-liter V6
provides quick acceleration, but the horsepower wars of the family sedan class
have left it behind. The engine isn’t quiet or nice to listen to either, and
road noise pronounced. Fuel economy does not impress.
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 despite a recent
upgrade, but trim pieces fit
together well. The gauges are large and clear. Most instruments are
well-labeled, but some audio controls are 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 very large, but it is
well-shaped with a good-sized opening.
The Mazda6 did not excel
in crash testing. It earned five stars for the driver and five for the front
passenger in the NHTSA frontal crash test, but a mediocre three stars for the
driver and four for the rear passenger in the NHTSA side crash test, tested
without the optional side airbags. The IIHS rated it Best Pick in its offset
crash test, but it was Poor in the side crash test without the optional side
airbags. Its head restraints were rated Marginal.
The Mazda6 reviewed here
came in at a reasonable $24,903, but lacks stability control and a power
passenger’s seat, and has no rare features for its price range either.
Overall, the Mazda6 is
the sport sedan in this group while still being usable as a family sedan. Some
sacrifices are made for its nimble handling, and buyers uninterested in that
handling would be better-suited by another car. But as it is, the Mazda6
offers reasonable interior comfort and value in a car that can also provide a
truly enjoyable driving experience.
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