Orlando Sentinel's view

I’ve been fairly critical of such best-selling Japanese cars as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in recent years.

I have no gripe with the way they perform, and I certainly have no complaints about their outstanding quality.

It’s the bland, boring and uninspired styling that has left me cold as a stone. I mean, if you have to pay more than $20,000 for one of these cars, can’t you get a little bit of style too?

Mazda says yes, you can, with the 1998 626. Mazda has overhauled the 626, its best-selling car in the United States. It took the winning formula of the top-of-the-line Millenia luxury sports sedan and put it in a smaller, less expensive package.

The new 626 is delightful to look at from any angle. In front it has a nicely styled chrome-trimmed grille. The car’s rear is rounded and has stylish wraparound taillights.

It’s a pleasure to drive. This attractive mid-size family sedan may be Mazda’s best car yet. If you have your heart, mind and wallet set on some other imported sedan this year, take the time to give the new 626 a serious kick in the tires.

PERFORMANCE, HANDLING

For 1998, Mazda is offering the 626 in four models, with prices starting at about $16,000 for the base level 626 DX. That car comes with a 125-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Our ES model was outfitted with a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6 that features double overhead cams and 24 valves and a five-speed manual transmission.

This engine is a smooth charmer. It makes an expensive-sounding, quiet hum as it revs. Power is abundant, though not overwhelming. I found the 626 to have plenty of verve at all speeds. Not many buyers are likely to want the standard transmission, but I found the car easy to drive. The clutch requires little effort, and the shifter moves easily through the gears.

Balance and finesse are the two words that best describe the 626’s performance. And that includes the finely tuned four-wheel independent suspension system. Mazda engineers reworked the 626’s suspension system to reduce noise and improve handling. The 626 offers a quiet ride that is sporty and refined. The suspension seems a bit firm, but it does not punish the passengers when the car is driven over bumps.

All V-6-equipped 626s come with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and a traction control system that prevents the front wheels from losing traction on slippery roads. The brakes were strong and brought the 2,700-pound car to a stop quickly and predictably. Under maximum braking, the 626 remains balanced and poised.

FIT AND FINISH

Mazda’s reputation for building high-quality automobiles just may get a boost from the new 626. This is a Lexus-like automobile in many ways. Built in Flat Rock, Mich., the 626 is very tightly assembled. The doors and trunk lid make a solid-sounding thunk when slammed.

During the nearly 500 miles I drove the car, I heard no rattles or squeaks and very li ttle wind noise. I detected no defects. Beyond that, I found the 626 to be an extremely comfortable car to drive. During one two-hour spell in the driver’s seat, I was impressed with the stress-free way the car gobbled up the miles. The front and rear seats in our test car were covered with thick tan leather that looked and felt great.

Although the cleanly styled dash is similar in shape to what is used in dozens of other upscale family and luxury sedans, all the buttons, switches and controls are nicely laid out. Knobs and buttons control the temperature and direction of the air conditioner. Switches for the cruise control system are on the steering wheel.

Mazda skimped on nothing in the ES model. It has a full array of power accessories, including power driver’s seat, electric sunroof and an in-dash CD player. The door locks are radio controlled and can be unlocked and locked from a distance.

Designers made excellent use of interior space. The 626’s rear seats split and fold forward, which lets you carry large objects. The trunk also is large and easy to load and unload. And visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent.

Price as tested: $23,690.

EPA rating: 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway.

Specifications:

1998 Mazda 626 ES V-6

LENGTH Overall 186.8

FRONT COMPARTMENT Head room 39.2 Leg room 43.6

REAR COMPARTMENT Head room 37.0 Leg room 34.6

WARRANTY Three-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper; five-year, unlimited-mileage rust protection.

MECHANICAL Drivetrain layout: Transverse mounted engine/transaxle, front-wheel drive. Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel disc with ABS. Engine: 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6 with double-overhead cams and 24 valves. Transmission: Five-speed manual.

OTHER MODELS 626 DX: $15,550. 626 LX: $17,650. 626 LX V-6: $20,665.

Inches unless otherwise specified

Truett’s tip: The new 626 ES is a well-made, sporty luxury sedan that offers a quiet and refined ride and plenty of features.