Overview & Reviews

With a few well-established vehicles dominating the midsize sedan segment, and numerous likable competitors trying to unseat them, it's tough for any particular vehicle to stand out. But the Mazda 6 has often offered something most competitors don't: charisma.

While just about any car in this segment will get the job done, the Mazda 6 manages to engage the driver in the process. This was particularly true of the first-generation 6, which had a relatively compact, European-size footprint and sporty suspension tuning that gave the car a remarkably nimble feel. For the second- and third-generation 6, Mazda enlarged the dimensions but retained much of the original model's handling panache. Whichever vintage you choose, the Mazda 6 is a solid choice as a midsize sedan.

Current Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 midsize sedan comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. Two transmissions are available: a six speed manual or a six-speed automatic (with shift paddles on the steering wheel).

Sport, Touring and Grand Touring are the three trim levels for the current Mazda 6. Standard equipment on the base Sport with the manual transmission includes a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, a 60/40-split rear seat and a six-speaker sound system. The automatic transmission-equipped Sport gets Bluetooth, an infotainment touchscreen and a rearview camera.

Stepping up to the Touring adds items such as keyless ignition and entry, blind-spot monitoring, dual-zone climate control and a power-adjustable driver seat. Options for the Touring include automatic headlights, a sunroof, an upgraded sound system, navigation and a frontal collision mitigation system. The Grand Touring gets all the standard and optional features from the Touring, plus bi-xenon headlights, foglights, leather upholstery and heated front seats. Notable options for the Grand Touring include adaptive cruise control and the i-Eloop system that improves fuel economy by 2-3 mpg.

Visually, the 6 is no wallflower, with a distinctive face and a sleek profile that stands out in a crowd. In terms of practicality, the Mazda 6 also stacks up well against class leaders such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry with regard to passenger space and cargo volume. Moreover, most midsize sedans can't match the Mazda's entertaining character on twisty back roads. The car's main downsides are an electronic interface that's a little behind the times and a ride quality that some drivers might deem a tad too stiff.

Used Mazda 6 Models
The newest, third-generation Mazda 6 appeared for 2014. Compared to the previous-generation model, the latest 6 differentiates itself with sleeker styling, higher fuel economy and added safety features. Mazda hasn't made any major changes since.

The second-generation Mazda 6 debuted for the 2009 model year and was produced through 2013. There were two available engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 170 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque or a 3.7-liter V6 that put out 272 hp and 269 lb-ft. The four-cylinder was paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, while the V6 was only available with a six-speed automatic.

In its second generation, the 6 was available in five trim levels: i Sport, i Touring, i Touring Plus, i Grand Touring and s Grand Touring. Models with the "i" prefix come with the four-cylinder engine, while those with the "s"prefix come with the V6. Base models were respectably equipped, while higher trim levels came with such niceties as a sunroof, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control and an audible blind-spot monitoring system. Other notable options included xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry, satellite radio and a navigation system.

As with other Mazda 6 models, we appreciated this generation's sporty handling. It was also pretty practical thanks to a roomy interior and a big trunk. On the downside, though, fuel economy wasn't the best in the segment and interior materials were lackluster. In its final couple years, this 6 also seemed increasingly outdated compared to newer rivals from Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota. But overall we think it's still worth considering as a used family sedan.

Launched for the 2003 model year and produced through 2008, the first-generation Mazda 6 was initially available only as a sedan, while a four-door hatchback and a wagon joined the lineup from 2004-'07. There were two basic trim levels: i and s. The Mazda 6 i was powered by a 160-hp four-cylinder engine mated to either a manual or an automatic transmission. The s came with a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 -- also available with a manual transmission or an automatic.

The Mazdaspeed 6 was a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive variant of the Mazda 6 sedan that was only offered in 2006 and '07. Boasting 278 hp, a six-speed manual transmission and sports-car-like handling, this European-style sedan delivered great driving excitement. As a used car, it's a compelling package for those with a need for speed, not to mention all-wheel-drive traction.

With power accessories, cruise control and pleasant cloth upholstery, even base models were reasonably well equipped. Optional features included a rear spoiler, foglights, leather seating, a power sunroof and an upgraded audio system with a CD changer.

We like the original Mazda 6 for its edgy, handsome design and stylish interior. Even more impressive were its communicative steering and tight suspension. Both the hatchback and wagon were fun-to-drive and sensible alternatives to other sedans and even SUVs. On the downside, the first-gen Mazda 6's interior quality was lacking, and the sedan was relatively short on passenger space. Moreover, the V6 lacked the punch of rival uplevel motors.

There were a few changes made to the first-generation Mazda 6 over the years. In 2005, a six-speed automatic replaced the five-speed unit on V6 models. For 2006, four-cylinder cars received an upgraded five-speed automatic in place of the old four-speed, and all Mazda 6 models were treated to minor styling updates. The 2006 and '07 models benefited from additional safety features being made standard.

User Reviews:

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  Not on par with other japanese cars - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By nestorhdz - June 13 - 8:03 pm

  Nice, agressive looking and responsive. Easy to handle on high speeds. During the first year of combined highway and city use there are major issues that didnt appear on other cars Ive owned (Toyota, Opel, and Chevrolet). Unoccupied passenger seat and front speaker make noise as if I was driving an truck 10 years old. The radiator heat sensor was stuck and the car overheated (covered by warranty). Front disc brakes lasts less than 10,000 miles (its less than 20,000 mi and its the second change). Theres clearly audible noise in the front suspension on irregular roads. Overall, quality is far, far away from that of Japanese and American cars.

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  Some Flaws, overall excellence - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Clance - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Just did a transition from a Grand Cherokee V8 to a 4 cyl Mazda 6i. Auto/Manual Mode is appealing, though V6 would have been more accomadating. In my first 5 days of driving it, went from a full tank to nearly empty. Made me question the 24/30 city/highway estimates. Handling is nice, but sometimes shaky and parking is a nightmare.

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  Mazda6 Wagon - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By mazdaowner666 - June 4 - 10:53 am

  Overall Impression 2004 Reasonable car for the money. Put 50K miles on ours. 5spd manual stick. Full loaded. Pros Suspension feels good. Sporty appearance. Roomy for five people. Reliable. Fit. Cons Engine is a dog for its V6 size - but of course it is made by ford. MPG also a disappointment at 24 granny-style driving hwy vs. sport driving in the city maybe 14. ie. in this category the worst of both worlds. Turning radius is pathetic. Seating poor support in the lumbar (compared to any european car). Poor tire clearance on body. Manual trans I think was built for a different engine --ratios terrible -- too tight for a 3litre engine. Should have available 4cylinder eng.

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  I Liked it at first.... - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Unhappy Mazda owner - June 2 - 4:26 am

  Ive owned this car for quite a while now, and I have 32,000 miles on it. Its been in the service shop 8 times over the past year. Twice to re-machine the brake rotors, twice for a fan control module, and the rest of the times for interior squeaks and rattles. I am not impressed with the quality of the car, or the service at the dealership. I liked the car at first, the styling, power, and stereo made me a happy consumer. My experience has left me cold, though.

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  Decent Enough - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Joey - May 25 - 12:33 am

  Bought new in 04. 60K miles so far. Replaced all 4 tires and brakes and changed the oil regularly. Luckily no big problems. Its a good looking car thats fun to drive. I have the sport package with the automatic tranny (wish I got the manual). I like the car but the rear tires get cupped if you dont rotate them often enough. You also have to be careful washing it that you dont break off the cheap antenna (oops). When shes clean she gets lots of looks. There is also a little hesitation with the automatic tranny when you punch the throttle and its very annoying. But still, a nice family car that doesnt look like one.

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  Not a family car - 2012 Mazda Mazda6
  By mommabllck - April 13 - 12:28 pm

  There are a few pros to this car however it doesnt function well as a family car. The latch system was too far into the seat which made uninstall difficult. The driver seat even though adjustable, just wasnt comfortable enough.

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  The Non Mainstream Sedan - 2015 Mazda Mazda6
  By leo_miami - March 26 - 1:45 pm

  This is a beautiful affordable sedan. It has character and the ride quality is not bad even with the 19" wheels. It looks and feels upscale inside a out. I got it with the Sunroof and Bose package which is a must for this car. The Stereo sounds amazing. The car feels safe and stable.

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  Good looking car but bad quality - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By bad qulity - March 17 - 11:56 am

  Its a great looking car, but a lot of repairs. For the last 2 years Ive been around 30 times to dealerships, I changed the transmission twice, trunk shocks 4 times, battery, changed tires twice and so on. Now have problem with the engine and my warranty just expired. I am not recommending to buy this car - a lot of trouble. I am so tired to go every time to the dealership and wait for my car to be fixed, sometimes its more then a week I have to wait, its time consuming and a big headache. The car is shaking when you start this car. Slow switching from gears. Does not accelerate fast enough.

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  Good, but not that good - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Jeremy - March 15 - 3:06 pm

  I purchased my Mazda in Jan of 2005 new. I was a great price and I could not resist it. However, the had problems within the first year of owning the it. I had to replace the tires after 20K of driving. In year 2 I had to replace the breaks. I also noticed that I was getting less than 300 miles to the tank, which was pretty sad considering I drive mostly highway at 70-75 mph. Now, I am by no means an aggressive driver these types of issues should not happen in such a short amount of time. In year 3 my battery died,but what got me was that I had to replace the shock. I traded this one in for a Honda, but I think I got a lemon on this one.

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  A "Sporty" sedan, not a Sports Sedan - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By damon - February 2 - 7:53 pm

  I am a "driver" who was fed up driving a turbo lagged 9-3 (1999) in traffic without a decent cupholder. Gave up the manual and purchased a 2003 6 v6 with an automatic. The modern looks inside and out sold me - I wouldnt consider an Accord, etc. because of how common they are. I think this should be on the list for anyone looking at sedans but people who highly value sports handling should consider something else. This car is a very comfortable daily driver with everything at your fingertips. The engine is a blast in the mid-range but with the automatic the low end is abysmal. Dont expect quick shifts with the automanual - its better just to hold gears in turns. Handling is sloppy at higher speeds.