By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National September 18, 2009Vehicle Overview
Mazda's midsize front-wheel-drive sedan benefits from a sportier nature than some of its competitors. The Mazda6 was redesigned for 2009 and now sports a more sophisticated exterior and interior design. It is also larger, making it more comparable to its competition. Inline-four-cylinder (in "i" models) and V-6 ("s" models) engines are available in the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. There's also a bare-bones SV trim level that gets only the four-cylinder. Competitors include midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu.
New for 2010
The lineup grows with new trims that include things such as power moonroof, ground illumination, electroluminescent gauges, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, anti-theft device and blind spot warning system.
Exterior
Designers ditched the previous design for what Mazda calls a "Japanese aesthetic" in the current car. The vehicle sports a long hood with pronounced front fender flares that flow through the headlamps and mold with the front bumper.
The last Mazda6 was small for its class. To rectify this, Mazda now sells a model in America (like Honda does with the Accord) that's different than the rest of the world's Mazda6 — the American one being much larger.
- Standard body-colored grille, front and rear bumpers, door handles and moldings
- 16-inch steel wheels with full covers
- Optional 17-inch alloy wheels
- Optional 18-inch alloy wheels
- Optional LED taillamps
- Single (four-cylinder models) or dual exhaust outlets (V-6 models)
Interior
The rounded instruments and a three-spoke steering wheel integrate nicely into the T-shaped instrument panel. The radio and center controls are tilted up to enhance functionality for the driver. Blacked-out instrument faces have metallic needles and trim.
All trim levels get 60/40-split folding rear seats with remote capability.
- Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls
- Standard air conditioning with pollen filter, optional dual-zone automatic air conditioning
- Standard power locks, windows and mirrors (heated mirrors are optional)
- Available cloth, blended leather/cloth, or full leather interiors
- Optional leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Optional power moonroof with interior sunshade
- Optional 333-watt, 10-speaker Bose audio system
- Optional DVD navigation system with 7-inch touch-screen and voice-activated controls
Under the Hood
The Mazda6 features a front and rear independent suspension. Four-cylinder and V-6 options are normal in this segment, but the standard six-speed manual transmission (with the four-cylinder) plays up Mazda's performance roots. There are also two automatic transmission offerings: The four-cylinder engine can have an optional five-speed automatic transmission, and the V-6 comes with a standard six-speed automatic (it can't be had with a manual).
- 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 167 pounds-feet of torque
- 272-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 with 269 pounds-feet of torque
- Six-speed manual transmission
- Optional five- and six-speed automatic transmissions
- Optional push-button start
- Optional keyless entry and start system
Safety
The Mazda6 offers a blind spot warning system and Bluetooth wireless connection to cell phones.
- Standard side-impact airbags (front seats only)
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Standard antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution
- Standard electronic stability system and traction control
- Optional blind-spot warning system
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| David Thomas | Cars.com National | December 22, 2009 |
| Cars.com Staff | Cars.com National | September 18, 2009 |
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