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Comparison review: eight midsize sedans (Third place)
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The Mazda6 is both fun to drive and comfortable, but you pay extra for that
combination of traits.
Nissan tried with the Altima and Honda tried with the Accord, but neither automaker produced a midsize sedan as fun to drive as the Mazda6. The 6, which was redesigned for the 2009 model year, has the best steering feel and handling response of these eight, yet it doesn’t give up the practicality of an acceptably spacious rear seat or the comfort of a smooth ride.
For the driving enthusiast who wants sharp handling in a package with enough room for the family, the Mazda6 is the best choice among today’s midsize sedans. And because even less-spacious competitors aren’t any better to drive, it’s a top choice even for those who don’t need the extra space.
But if you’re just looking for a comfortable family sedan, the Mazda6 makes concessions to refinement, rear seat room, and price that you wouldn’t need to accept in your car. The Mazda6 blends comfort and sport well, but if you weren’t planning to take corners fast anyway, you may as well go for a car that puts the greater emphasis on refinement.
American car enthusiasts were upset when Mazda announced it would sell a different Mazda6 in North America than in the rest of the world, to cater to American demands for spacious interiors. The enthusiasts worried this extra size and accompanying weight would turn the 6 into a softer car without the sporty driving dynamics that impressed them about the original car.
But they need not worry. The American Mazda6 is longer than the other version, but more than the rest of these eight, sheds its extra pounds to dart around curvy roads, displaying the agility of a smaller car. Some reviewers say you’ll get too much body roll if you really push it; I never reached that point on my drive.
You not only get sportier handling than other midsize sedans in the Mazda6, but you also get above-average ride comfort. It doesn’t offer the same level of impact suppression as in a comfort-tuned Toyota Camry, but you get a feeling of control without harshness that the Honda Accord could do well to emulate. There’s a bit too much road noise, though less than in the Accord. The Mazda6’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine can get noisy under acceleration, but doesn’t sound unpleasant and has good pep. It returns 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway, about average among these eight.
As in the Honda Accord, the Mazda6’s front seats are a bit low, which is in keeping with the car’s sporty character but doesn’t help outward visibility. The seats are large and comfortable, and though there could be more lateral support, the nice grippy cloth seat trim holds occupants in place well on its own. There’s lots of rear-seat legroom, but the low bench seat means you need all that space to avoid sitting knees-up. The seat is well-shaped, and while there’s no excess of head space, you’ll find more than in a Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Altima. But while the Mazda6’s expanded size seems to have helped its interior volume without sacrificing driving dynamics, Americans are faced with one downside: the interior door pulls are at the end of the wide-opening extra-long doors, requiring occupants to lean out of the car to pull them shut in either the front or the rear. (You’ll likely find the extra space worth the inconvenience.)
The Mazda6’s dashboard is built largely from hard plastic, but it looks nice enough and panels fit together well. There’s more padding on higher-contact surfaces, and the cloth trim is high-quality. The instrument layout is simple and the gauges are clear. The trunk is roomy and the rear seat folds easily.
This impressive combination of sportiness, comfort, and practicality doesn’t come cheap, however. Equipped comparably to the rest of these eight, the Mazda6 is the second-most expensive behind the Accord, setting you back $21,881 from Fitzgerald Auto Malls.
And compared to the Accord – its closest competitor for driving dynamics – the Mazda6 is decidedly superior. You get better ride and handling and more refinement for less money. You give up some rear seat room compared to the Accord, yes, but the Mazda6 will still hold four adults comfortably.
However, given that the perennially best-selling midsize sedan (the Toyota Camry) puts no emphasis on sporty driving dynamics, it’s safe to say that the average midsize sedan buyer favors comfort and refinement. And while the Mazda6 does offer this, it’s neither the most comfortable nor the most refined in its class.So if the Mazda6’s extra agility is worth significant extra money to you, go for it. If not, there are better cars for you at lower prices.
Overall grade: A-
Vehicle tested: 2009 Mazda6 i Touring
Vehicle base price (MSRP): $19,220
Vehicle price as tested (MSRP): $23,375
Estimated transaction price as tested: $19,965
Estimated transaction price as comparable:* $21,881
Test vehicle provided by: Castle Mazda, of Silver Spring, Md.
For more info:
Mazda web site
Mazda web site
Coming up tomorrow: Second Place
Sunday, Feb. 8:
Introduction
Monday, Feb. 9:
Eighth Place
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Seventh Place
Saturday, Feb. 14: Third Place
Sunday, Feb. 15:
Second Place
Monday, Feb. 16:
First Place
Tuesday, Feb 17:
Conclusion
*Note on pricing: when possible, the cars tested for this review were comparably equipped. It wasn't always possible. All are 4-cylinder sedans with automatic transmissions, but some have more options than others, which inflate the price tag.
The target for these eight was to have a power driver's seat and a sunroof. Four of them hit this accurately, one had more accessories, and three had fewer. Any discrepancies will be noted as they appear to ease comparison of the vehicles.
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