From the logbook: 2009 Mazda6[SIZE=-1]
The last-generation Mazda6 had some room for improvement. Sized for European roads, the global design lacked the interior space and horsepower of competing mid-sized family sedans here in the United States. It fell somewhat short in noise and ride refinement, too, and reliability bugs took several years to shake. With around 80,000 6?s being sold each year, it didn?t compete well in a segment where the main players (Chevrolet Impala, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry) sell over 200,000 cars a year.Enter the redesigned 2009 Mazda6. The company is aiming big as they try to regain lost ground and move away from the shortcomings of the first 6. In fact, Mazda touts this car as "The totally, completely, 100% new Mazda6," although I?m pretty sure there?s probably a nut or bolt somewhere that looks familiar.
While the new car is bigger and more powerful, the hatchback and wagon versions are gone. (Cue angry mob of wagon loyalists. We?ve asked Mazda about the wagon?s demise and were told that since monthly sales were in the low hundreds, they couldn?t justify a new version. Ditto the V6 with a manual transmission.)
Having gone to a lot of manufacturer press conferences and presentations, I?ve never heard one that actively seeks older buyers. But that?s exactly Mazda?s goal: move the 6 from its current demographic of 25-35 year-olds and aim at the sweet spot of the middle-aged family-sedan buying market. A side benefit: this would move the 6 away from overlapping in price and buyer profile with the smaller Mazda3.*
Another goal for any car company is to wean itself off of rebates and incentives, which were pretty common on the last-generation 6. If Mazda pulls that off, luxury-craving buyers will be in for some sticker shock. To get full leather or heated seats, you?ve got to buy the top-level Grand Touring; these options aren?t available on lower trim levels. Beyond that, if you want a sunroof on any 6, you need to splurge for a Grand Touring with a Bose stereo, at a not-so-cool $28,240 with the four-cylinder engine, or $30,690 with the V6. Compare that with $26,125 for a four-cylinder Honda Accord EX-L, $28,555 for the V6 Accord EX-L, or $26,550 for a Hyundai Sonata Limited V6.
To justify the 6?s cost, Mazda throws in a lot of equipment into the top trim line that isn?t really common for this class, such as a driver?s memory seat or standard blind-zone detection system. Limiting options configurations also saves money when building the car and simplifies inventory. But making more common luxury items available at lower price levels would probably appeal to more buyers, especially in this economic climate.
But enough marketing and price-speak. How is the new Mazda6 to drive and live with day-to-day? We bought two of them: a $21,920 four-cylinder 6i Sport and a $30,790 V6 Grand Touring. Here are some raw comments from the testers? logbook:
"Bigger, smoother than last generation."
"Nice driving position. Low dash gives good visibility, but rear deck is a bit high for good rear visibility."
"[V6 has] plenty of power with quick shifts."
?Firm seat with long cushion; could use more lumbar support."
"Stylish inside and out."
"Nice taut feel lacking in many competitive cars."
"Odd that there isn?t an iPod control."
"V6 is torquey and refined. Feels like a considerable step-up from the four."
"Blind-spot detection system works well, but often picks up guard rails and objects to the side."
"Huge trunk, plenty of interior room."
"V6 is strong and sounds good."
"Nice (four-cylinder) power and smooth transmission gives better than expected performance."
"Too many beeps from blind-spot monitoring."
"[Six-cylinder] ride is notably stiffer than our four-cylinder model."
"Good car that competes with some great cars. Costs thousands more than Accord EX-L?good luck with that!"
Lingering reservations about value aside, our first impressions are mostly favorable. We?ll see what happens after we conduct our fuel economy testing ? our four-cylinder lacks a trip computer, and the 3.7-liter V6?s fuel economy wasn?t exactly class-leading when we tested a Mazda CX-9 ? and the rest of the full test schedule here at our track.
?Tom Mutchler. Photo by Mike Leung.
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