6

Vehicle(s): 2009 Mazda6 GT I-4 with Luxury Pkg
2009 Mazda6 GT V6 with Luxury Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$35670 (GT I-4)
CDN$40962 (GT V6)

Handling: One of outgoing Mazda6′s most likable traits has to be its wonderful driving dynamics. Even with the extra dimensions, Mazda6 remains the most dynamic driving car in its class. It all begins with a stiff and stout chassis, that’s completely free of flex and rattles. With a suspension which is supple without feeling bouncy through all the patholes and roughness. Its firm without being harsh. Its the sort of suspension that’s compliant enough for the passengers while firm enough for enthuisast driver. On the other hand, the steering is sharp and precise without feeling twitchy. There are minimal body rolls while understeer is almost non-existence. The same balanced and composed driving feel remain intact even with the larger car. Mazda6 continues to be one of the most balanced front driver I have ever driven.

Performance: There are 2 excellent powertrains available in the new Mazda6. A base 2.4 liter DOHC 4-cylinder 16-valve with a potent 170 hp and 167 lb/ft of torque, or a 3.7 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with an even sweeter 277 hp and 269 lb/ft of torque. Performance aside, both engines are as balanced inside Mazda6′s bonnet when pushed through corners as each others. Without feeling the front-heaviness one usually associates with its V6 rivals. On the other hand, the 4-cylinder’s high level of refinement and flexability seem to be a more sensible choice given today’s skyrocketing gas prices. We got an average of 9 liters per 100km with Mazda6′s excellent 5-speed automatic. As for the V6, an average of 12 liters per 100km is highly respectable consider its a 3.7 liter family sedan with 1610kg. If the 4-cylinder is able to receive the additional gear as V6 does, it would be a default choice when buying this very car. Both 5 and 6-speed automatics have low 1st gear for peppy acceleration off-the-line, while the 5th in 4-cylinder and 6th in V6 are tall enough for comfortable highway cruising. The only drawback is 4-cylinder 5-speed gearbox’s somewhat tall 2nd gear ratio. If Mazda engineers are able to address that, 4-cylinder’s low-gear acceleration would be even more impressive. This 3.7 liter is basically a similar unit as in the award-winning CX-9 crossover. The level of NVH and refinement are simply world-class. Not to mention the nice engine note when accelerating.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Mazda6 continues to impress with its excellent braking prowess. The stopping distance is short while the pedal feels solid, while ABS only steps in when necessary.

Interior: The only drawback in this otherwise highly praised car has to be its trunk. The liftoff is high while the opening is narrow. Its a pity Mazda decided not to bring over its attactive hatchback and wagon silibings due to the low demand of previous generation in US market. These 2 variants would definitely address the problem mentioned with this Mazda6 sedan.

When it comes to interior materials and fit-and-finish, the new Mazda6 has aced it. All the materials are classy and rich. You can also get all the features in the fully loaded GT model from automatic climate control to leather seats.

Mazda has addressed the largest shortcoming of the outgoing model. The rear passengers finally got the amount of leg and headroom that Mazda6 needs 6 years ago. Its also wide enough to seat 3 comfortably across the board.

Conclusion: While the outgoing Mazda6 already been a great car, the new one is a quantum leap over the previous car. It got great powertrains, excellent driving dynamics and interior space that it has always been cried out for. It is basically a sports car wraps in a family car clothing.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Mazda6
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.75/5

Vehicle: 2004 Mazda 6 GT sportswagon with GFX pkg and 5-speed manumatic transmission
Price as tested: CDN$34560

Performance: Unlike Mazda 6 sedan and Sport, sportswagon only comes with one engine. A 3 liter V6 DOHC 24-valve engine that bumps out 220hp and 192 lb/ft of torque. The engine is smooth, refine, quiet and willing to rev. It also got plenty of low-end torque considered its maximum torque arrives at 5k rpm, on the other hand, it doesn’t sacifice its peaky top-end performance when you needed it. Matched to this powerplant is a smooth shifting 5-speed manumatic tranny. The beauty of this engine is the tranny allows the driver to rev into redline before upshifting. Thanks to the gearing of the tranny, it clocks 2500 rpm while cruising at 100km/h. That encourages spirited driving which true to Mazda’s zoom…zoom slogan. On the auto side, this engine is willing to kick-down and never hunt for any gears thanks to its smart fuzzy logic control.

Handling: If Mazda 6 sedan is one of the most balanced sedan I have ever driven, its wagon silibing has to be considered as one of the best handling wagon ever. The turn-in is sharp, responsive and precise. The same goes for its razor-sharp steering which provides tons of feedback. There is minimial body rolls when pushed through corners. Its so balanced that I can hardly detect any understeer when pushed. On the other hand, there is a slight oversteer when going at the end of limit thanks to its excellent rear suspension setting. Mazda 6 sportwagon is the second wagon that I drove has such a docile nature, other than the benchmark Audi A4 Avant. You would have thought a car with such a firm suspension setting would give you bouncy ride. Its a completely different story in this Mazda. Its suspension is firm enough for spirited driving while its supple enough to absorb any of the roughness on the pavements. In short, a truly impressive dynamic package.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard anti-lock brakes, 6′s pedal feel is excellent. The pedal is solid and easy to modulate while the braking distance is short. Best of all, the ABS won’t kick in until absoultely necessary.

Interior: Our GT comes fully loaded, which means it has power seats, auto climate control and Bose stereo system. Everything inside Mazda 6 has a high-quality, tactical feel. The leather seats are comfortable and supportive. It also got enough side bolsters that won’t make the driver sliding around when pushed through corners. The auto climate control is effective with an wonderful air-conditioning system that cools the interior off in a few mins under this 38 degrees summer day. Typical great instrumentation gauges, large auto climate control knobs and easily found driving position are expected.

The cargo space is very well layout with 2 sliding covers, 1 for spare tire and tool kit and another as cubbyholes. When the rear seats folded down, it creates a completely flat floor that can easily put a refrigator in no problem. It also covers in a very high-quality carpeting that has a classy, expensive feel.

Conclusion: Mazda is really a bold company. Not only does it remain true to its rotary tradition, it was also a breakthrough by bringing back the roadster thanks to the legendary Miata. A few years ago, no one thought they would have succeed with the Protege5. They have upped the ante last year with the Mazda 3 in the econocar segment thanks to great engines and chassis fitness. With the advent of the 6 sportswagon, this company is willing to bet on Japanese’s mid-size wagon market that both Honda, Toyota and Nissan have abondoned for their soft-roaders. With a price tag of nearly 35 grand for a 6 V6 wagon, there is really nothing able to beat it for price alone.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 MAZDA 6 GT SPORTWAGON
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5

Vehicle: 2004 Mazda 6 GS V6 with GFX package and 5-speed stick shift

Handling: Mazda 6 is not only one of the best handling front drivers, it has to be the best handling Japanese family sedan I have ever driven. Along with the stiff chassis and new multi-link suspension, this car is a complete revelation of the medicore 626 it replaces. The steering is precise, sharp and provide exceptional road feel. The suspension is firm and compliant without sacificing the ride comfort, despite it rides somewhat firmer than its Japanese rivals. I haven’t felt such a wonderful balance of excellent handling and ride in a Japanese family sedans for such a long time. Its a very belanced car through the corners. There is almost no understeer until you push into the end of the limit, its body roll control is exceptional considered its a family car nature. The best of all, this multi-link rear suspension setting allows a certain amount of oversteer fun as you pushed through corners. Its an agile set-up that allows both the driver to enjoy the driving fun without giving passengers a rough ride. The last Japanese front-drive sedan that provides such a flat handling in my memory was the Infiniti G20, which I still considered it as one of the best handling front-driver I have ever driven.

Performance: The 3.0 V6 24-valver V6 is based on Ford’s Duratec engine series. This engine is flexible, refine, willing to rev and provide more than enough power to match with its sharp chassis. With 220hp and 192 lb/ft of torque, its never considered to be the most powerful car in its class. However, its flexible nature is very well-matched to 6′s sporty character. The 5-speed stick shift is smooth and gates are well-defined. Clutch is light and progessive. It got nice gear ratios to match the powerband of this vehicle.

Brakes: The 4-wheel discs with ABS provide excellent pedal feel. Under the flurry condition today, the brake has done a very good job of hauling the 6 to a complete stop. The brake pedal is progressive and the effort easily modulated.

Interior: 6′s interior feels as sporty as its exterior. There are logically placed power windows, locks and mirrors on one side. On the center console, climate control and stereo buttons use large knobs. The ventliation is effective under today’s condition. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, with a clock and trip computer placed on top of the center console. However, 6′s interior still suffers from cheap and hard plastic around the center console. The top console cover is made of hard plastic that is hard to swallow considered the vehicle’s overall excellent execution. The seats are comfortable with nice back and thigh support. Back seat space is slightly smaller than its competitors, however, it still provides decent leg and headroom.

The trunk is very well layout with uninstrusive trunk hinges, low bumper cut level and 40/60 split folding rear seats. If you prefer a more versatile package, 6 has hatchback and sportswagon variants coming in one year.

Conclusion: Mazda 6 has created a niche of its own. A driver-oriented family sedan that appeals to the driving enthuisasts with enough attention-to-details for passengers. I can safely say its a new standard of family sedan for other manufacturers to judge.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 MAZDA 6 GS V6
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Performance: 4.25/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Build quality/fit-and-finish: 3.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.75/5
Value-for-money: 4.75/5

Overall rating: 4.75/5