The Mazda6 went seven years without a significant update.  This wasn’t a case of a car being left to wither on the vine, as sometimes happens.  The Mazda6 was just done right from the start.  Only detail changes were needed to keep this sporty family sedan current and competitive.


Of course, times change, and the Mazda6 was just beginning to feel a bit dated.  It was still a blast to drive, but had clearly been designed a couple of cycles back.  For 2009, Mazda addresses that concern, and the Mazda6 is all new.
Most obvious is a redrawn exterior that carries enough styling cues from its predecessor to be instantly recognizable, but is more modern and more aggressive.  The strongly emphasized front fenders and tapered nose are borrowed from the RX-8 sports coupe.   Body contouring is subtle, with taut surfaces and edges that look wind-formed.  The taillamps are intricate, multi-element units with available LED lighting.  Xenon headlamps are also available.  The second-generation Mazda6 rides on a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase, and the front and rear track have been widened as well.
Interior materials are nicer than the price point would suggest, especially in the Grand Touring models.  Previously, the interior was the space where the Mazda6 showed its age the most, and it benefits here from the update.  The gauges are deep-set and round, the instruments of a sports car.  Metallic finishes on the instrument panel and console add a technical flair, while Mazda uses gloss black trim instead of wood for an upscale-but-not-stodgy look.  On the safety front, side- and side-curtain airbags are standard.  The base Mazda6 plays the affordable family car game, but this car can do luxury as well.  In the Mazda6i Grand Touring model, available equipment includes auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a blind spot warning system, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones.  A moonroof, Sirius satellite radio and a BOSE sound system are on the options list.
The updated Mazda6 drives just like the previous version, which isn’t a bad thing.   A choice of four- or six-cylinder power is offered.  The base engine is an all-new 2.5 liter four-cylinder, featuring DOHC construction, a high-flow cylinder head and variable intake valve timing.  It’s rated at 170 horsepower.  By increasing the engine’s displacement compared to previous models, Mazda gave the four-cylinder a significant torque advantage over similar fours, and the four-cylinder Mazda6 doesn’t feel underpowered.  The 3.7 liter V6 offers a healthy 272 horses and provides the kind of entertaining performance that the Mazda6 is known for.  The 3.7 is also new to the Mazda6 lineup, and the all-aluminum engine includes a dual exhaust and internal damping for smooth operation.  The Mazda6 remains one of the few vehicles in its class to offer a manual transmission, this time a six-speed.  Unfortunately, it’s only available with the four-cylinder engine.  Automatic gearbox choices are a five-speed auto for the four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic for the V6.  The V6 makes up for its lack of a true manual transmission with Mazda’s Active Adaptive Shift programming, which senses road conditions and selects the best gear for exiting corners.
The suspension is undeniably athletic, with double wishbones up front and an independent multi-link rear.  Mazda has retuned the Mazda6 to accommodate its additional size, and the car feels just as nimble as ever when the going gets twisty.  Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard.
The updated Mazda6 is still one of the sportiest things going when it comes to family sedans, and Mazda has done a good job of bringing it up-to-date and addressing its shortcomings without spoiling what made it fun in the first place.  Mazda6 pricing starts at $20,450.   There’s a less expensive model that stickers for under $19,000, but it has to be special-ordered.  V6 power starts at $24,330.  My tester was a well-equipped, top of the line Mazda6 S Grand Touring, and with the navigation system, moonroof, BOSE sound system and Sirius satellite radio installed, it stickered for $32,690.

Specifications:  All specs are for the 2009 Mazda6 S Grand Touring
Length:  193.7 in.
Width:  72.4 in.
Height:      57.9 in.
Wheelbase:  109.8 in.
Curb weight:   3547 lb.
Cargo space:   16.6 gal.
Base price:  $28,260
Price as tested:  $32,690
Engine:   3.7 liter DOHC 24-valve V6
Drivetrain:  six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 272 @ 6250
Torque:  268 @ 4250
Fuel capacity:  18.5 gal.
Est. mileage:   17/25

Print This Post Print This Post