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Writer's Notes
Test Vehicle
2003 Mazda 6 s
MSRP range: $21,100
As tested: $25,445
Showroom appeal:
Affordably sporty new mid-size
Plus:
Ride, handling, interior room
Minus:
HVAC/Sound System display/switchgear needs a re-think
The Competition:
Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Taurus
Gearbox options here include a five speed manual or five speed automatic.
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This year, 6 replaces 626 as Mazda's mid-size model. It's also the company's reigning flagship car - at least temporarily, now that the Millenia has been retired. The Mazda6 is offered in "i" and "s" versions. If the letter designations sound vaguely Germanic, it's intentional. Mazda management openly hints at comparisons with the perennial sport sedan benchmark, the BMW 3-Series.
Base, "i" models are powered by a 2.3 liter four cylinder motor, good for 160 hp and 155 lb. ft. of torque. Transmission choices include a four speed automatic or five speed manual. Uplevel "s" models run with Mazda's 3.0 liter V-6, which is rated at 220 hp and 192 ft. lb. of torque. Gearbox options here include a five speed manual or five speed automatic.
Though most of my time was spent in the company of a six cylinder stick, I have also driven the four cylinder automatic. Both engines feel light on low end torque, and wakeup noticeably when rpm's crest 2,500. In that regard, motors stirred with a stick will feel more responsive than those coupled to the automatic. The four is a good, all purpose engine and reasonably stingy with a pint of petrol (EPA rated at 23/29 with automatic). The six is a pleasing power plant as well: smooth throughout, unstressed at cruising speed.
"Groomed in the Zoom-Zoom sports car spirit, Mazda's flagship model combines class-leading performance, innovative packaging, athletic exterior design and superior value in one gottahave package."
The availability of a six with manual gearbox is one reason why Mazda invites Bavarian comparisons, and certainly, the presence of a manual gearbox is appreciated by enthusiast drivers. But, the comparison with BMW is not fair to the car, given the relative cost differential. A more legitimate evaluation would pit the 6 against its peers, like Camry, Accord & Taurus. Seen through this lens, the car scores well, and carves out a spot on the sporting side of the mid-size sedan bell curve.
The 6 strikes a nice, middle ground in matters of ride and handling. Accord and Camry are more insular in sound and feel by comparison. The Mazda gives the driver more feedback through the steering wheel than either of those mid-size market mainstays, and feels more directly connected to the pavement. The front suspension is a double wishbone design, the back multi-link, with stabilizer bars fore and aft. The foregoing is housed in a very stiff chassis and aided by a set of strong disc brakes. ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution are available but surprisingly, not standard on the uplevel "s".
Inside, the Mazda6 has generous space. Four to five adults will fit, and there is leg room enough for six footers in back even when those in front are similarly long of limb. The main instrument cluster is large, red-lit and an easy read at night. It's also legible in daylight, with one occasional exception. In my state, you are obliged to turn on your lights when you turn your wipers on. However, when you light the lamps, the 6 switches to more subdued illumination. In certain lighting conditions, this can make for some daytime, dashboard squinting. HVAC and audio controls are housed in a titanium finish center stack. While all functions work well, the design of the switchgear is not intuitive and the display for settings is removed from the switches themselves.
The trunk measures a generous, 15.2 cubic feet and its utility is aided by one-step rear seat releases. The seatbacks are spring loaded and the levers to fold them are mounted high in the trunk, making it a simple process to convert for more storage space.
The Mazda6 is a well executed new entry, worthy of consideration by any mid-size shopper. It also signals the company's future intentions, trending towards a sportier feel throughout the model lineup. Our feeling is, there's always room for a little more zoom!
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---Story and photos by Dan Lyons
photos © Dan Lyons 2002
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