2019 Mazda Mazda6 Road Test and Review

2019 Mazda Mazda6 ・ Photo by Mazda

The Mazda Mazda6 recently underwent a makeover for the 2018 model year, and while it isn’t a complete redo, it has enhanced the car. What this means in practical terms is that the previous Mazda6 was very good, and now with the availability of a new turbocharged engine and additional enhancements, it is even better. In fact, the Mazda6 is one of those cars that gets a great deal of praise from enthusiast vehicle reviewers for its overall handling and over-the-road prowess. At the same time, it is a terrific mid-size sedan for everyday use like commuting to work or picking the kids up at school.

The major changes from the recent update include a new interior featuring redesigned seats with vibration-absorbing urethane foam that helps improve comfort. Underneath its attractive but familiar sheetmetal, some of the platform has been revised, using thicker steel in the floor for sound abatement, and its suspension has been re-engineered for greater refinement.

Tasteful Exterior Revisions

The Mazda6 has been heavily revised, but from a cursory look at the exterior design that isn’t obvious. Still based on the Vision Coupe design that debuted at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, its countenance is more evolutionary than revolutionary. A closer inspection will reveal a new grille that tones down the previous edition’s big snout with a wider, more sophisticated treatment. The grille is accompanied by standard LED headlamps plus integrated fog lamps for a tidy, efficient appearance.

Compared to the previous version, the new one has more painted surface lower on the body that streamlines the look. New 17- and 19-inch wheels contribute an added luster to the design, and what would a Mazda be without the signature Soul Red Crystal paint? In all, the changes, while subtle, have resulted in a much better-looking car.

Photo by Mazda

Interior Gets Big Redo

While the exterior received an understated revision, the interior of the Mazda6 is more markedly changed versus its predecessor. In fact, only the steering wheel and a few trim pieces carry over. The biggest change is the instrument panel and dash, which is now a horizontal expanse extending across the width of the car. The Mazda6 has always hinted at luxury, and with the latest changes, the up-level Signature models do more than hint at luxury; they emphasize it. Their interiors feature Sen wood, Nappa leather, and Ultrasuede on door panels, seats, and dashboard.

The Mazda6’s front seats have been redesigned; they are wider and filled with high-density urethane foam that creates a firm, supportive seating surface. For the first time in Mazda6 history, ventilated front seats are available. Lest back seat passengers feel they are being left out, the rear seats are filled with high-density urethane foam too. In all, the Mazda6’s interior is an attractive, cozy place to spend time.

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Infotainment in the European Vein

While some carmakers have gone touchscreen-crazy, Mazda has followed upscale manufacturers in using a display screen accompanied by a console-mounted controller. While not as directly intuitive as a touchscreen, the controller system is relatively easy to learn and eliminates the need to direct your attention away from the road to the screen as you try to touch the function you want to control. In the Mazda6’s revamped system, some operations are performed by touching the new 8-inch display screen while others are activated using the “Commander” control knob.

The standard AM/FM/HD radio audio system has six speakers, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, USB audio input, an auxiliary audio input jack, and audio menu voice-command. In the up-level Grand Touring trim and above, the audio is upgraded to an 11-speaker Bose premium system and a four-month trial subscription of SiriusXM satellite radio. An integrated navigation system is available across the board and is standard on the Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature levels.

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Two Very Inventive Engines

The big news on the powertrain front is the addition of a new, technically fascinating turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers tons of torque. The Skyactiv-G 2.5T is a technological tour de force that produces a massive 310 lb-ft of torque from just 2,000 rpm up the rev band accompanied by 250 horsepower. On regular 87-octane gasoline, the horsepower drops to 227, because it is more difficult to control knock. Key to the impressive torque figure is the industry-first Dynamic Pressure Turbo that builds boost nearly instantaneously by using a small inlet to direct air into the turbocharger.

The base engine is a carryover Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that is now equipped with cylinder deactivation when teamed with the six-speed automatic transmission. With cylinder deactivation, the two outboard cylinders can shut down when the vehicle operates at steady speeds between 25 and 50 mph. A centrifugal pendulum in the torque converter of transmission counterbalances any vibration that might otherwise be felt when running on two cylinders.

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Better Ride With Good Handling

When you learn the Mazda6’s ride quality and comfort have been enhanced, you might fear that the suspension has been compromised in that effort. But happily, that is not the case. Body reinforcements, thicker sheetmetal in the rear wheelwells, reinforced chassis bracing, and thicker suspension trailing link mounts stiffened the chassis, resulting in a better platform for the revised suspension. It also has benefits in improved interior conversation sound quality. The suspension geometry has been revised, with roll-steer changes that promote more neutral handling, so the Mazda6 remains the mid-size sedan to get if you want the highest level of overall handling and refinement.

Both engines are responsive, but the high-torque turbo has the potential to be one of the most involving powertrains we’ve driven recently. Handling is sport-sedan sharp with impressive ride quality. Steering feel is excellent, and the brakes offer good modulation. It’s easy to see why testers like the Mazda6. We’re testers and we like it a lot.

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Wide List of Safety Aids

The Mazda6 offers a wide variety of driver-assistance and safety technology. In the base Sport trim level, auto transmission-equipped models can be ordered with the I-Activsense Package that includes high-speed automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane-keep assist, a lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers. 

Standard safety equipment includes three-point safety belts at all seating positions, a blind-spot monitoring system with a rear cross-traffic alert, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a trunk entrapment release system. More sophisticated safety equipment is standard in all but the Sport trim level: lane-keep assist, a lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking with a forward collision warning. A 360-degree-view camera with front and rear parking sensors is standard in the top-of-the-line Signature trim.

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Interior Space, Cargo, and Fuel Economy

The Mazda6 offers an ample amount of passenger space for five adults and a sizable and easily accessible trunk. Total passenger space is just a tad under 100 cubic feet. In terms of front headroom and legroom, the Mazda6 is slightly better than some of its key rivals, while rear seat room is a little bit smaller. Trunk space is 14.7 cubic feet, again about the norm in the class.

Fuel economy for the manual transmission-equipped front-wheel drive Mazda6 is 24 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. With the automatic transmission, the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder offers EPA ratings of 26 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mg combined. Fuel economy with the turbocharged engine is 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg combined.

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Five Varied Trim Levels

The Mazda6 is offered in five different trim levels — Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature. The trim levels are associated with dedicated powertrains. The Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve and Signature come equipped with the 2.5T 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The Sport is the base model, and it is powered by the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine.

Equipment levels climb as you ascend the trim-level ladder, as you would guess. The Signature model is the all-in-plus trim level, and it includes things like the 360-degree monitor that aren’t available otherwise. The Grand Touring trim is the entry level if you want the high-torque turbocharged version of the engine, and many buyers will be more than satisfied with its level of equipment, including good safety tech.

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Pricing and Value

The 2019 Mazda Mazda6 is one of the biggest sedan values in the entire market. It is attractive outside, has a terrific new interior and great new powertrains, including the innovative Skyactiv-G turbo. In up-level trims, it is the equal of many luxury brand sedans of similar size.

The Mazda6 Sport has an MSRP of $21,950, the Grand Touring has a base price of $29,200, and the top-of-the-line Signature has a starting price of $34,750, plus $895 destination charge. The sedan market is eroding as buyers continue to defect to crossovers and trucks, but the Mazda6 is one of the best sedans in the mid-size range. We felt that before last year's changes, and we feel even more strongly that way now.

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