Mazda6: Which Should I Buy, 2019 or 2020?

2020 Mazda6 | Manufacturer image

By Rick Popely

November 5, 2019

Most significant changes: New key fob design

Price change: Base prices are $200 higher on all models. Destination charge is unchanged at $920.

On sale: Late fall

Which should you buy, 2019 or 2020? 2019. No significant changes for 2020, and dealers should have plenty of leftover 2019s available with discounts.

Mazda’s mid-size Mazda6 sedan sees minimal changes for 2020. A new smart key fob design places the lock-and-unlock and panic buttons on an edge of the fob, and the top-line Signature model gets a new badge.

Sales of the Mazda6 have continued to fall in calendar year 2019, dropping more than 30 percent through October to 18,380 units, another sign of the massive migration of buyers to crossover SUVs. Mazda has said it intends to offer a diesel engine and all-wheel drive in the Mazda6, but neither has materialized.

For those still interested in sedans, the Mazda6 is a sporty, stylish alternative to cars such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. All models possess athletic handling ability, a roomy interior with luxurious touches, and an impressive array of standard safety features. On the downside, the infotainment system is operated through an 8-inch touchscreen that allows changes only when the car is stopped, and it’s clunky to use.

The base Sport model and the Touring come with a 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers decent fuel economy but feels sluggish at low speeds. The Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature use a turbocharged 2.5-liter that generates 227 hp with regular gas and 250 with premium, and it provides more satisfying acceleration. Both engines team with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Prices start at $24,920 (including destination) for the Sport, and the Grand Touring is $2,600 more than that. The Grand Touring is $30,620, the Grant Touring Reserve checks in at $33,120 and the Signature is a hefty $36,220, but with sales of the Mazda 6 slipping, dealers should be offering generous discounts. There are no individual options or packages available, so the only choices are the different trim levels and their standard content.

The 2020 models weren’t yet at dealerships, and Mazda would only say that they should arrive later in the fall.

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