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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  Beautiful On The Outside... - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By ne14wood - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Problematic On The Inside! 1) Last week, my THIRD check engine light came on. After a recent visit to my dealer, they stated, "We have no fix for the check engine light. The light will always come back on. If you are lucky, our Mazda engineers will have a remedy by August 2004 (today is 4/6/04). The check engine light is caused by a misfire in the fourth cylinder". What an awful response from the dealer. 2) The A/T often shifts erratically. Sometimes the automatic transmission feels like I just did a "neutral drop". This is an alarming sensation. The dealer has no fix for this either!

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  Waste of money - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By Chuck - November 14 - 2:46 pm

  I bought a mazda 6 GT fully loaded in April 2006, and I had some small problems (rear defroster stopped working, lights went out) but nothing big until a year later the engine started making noise, so I brought it in and the service manager says it will cost $15,000 to fix(with a straight face) apparently it is not covered under warranty, Same thing happened to my cousin but she had a Mazda 3.

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  Worst Car I Have Ever Owned - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By xlr824 - September 3 - 10:13 am

  Lets start with the good parts. The car handles great and looks great. It is very comfortable. Now the bad. The car has been in the shop 12 times in 14 months. Everything from lumbar supports breaking (twice) to a fuel pump failure and several things in between. This is the 4th new Mazda I have owned in the past 6 years. I have been waiting a month for Mazda to make any decision on what they are going to do to satisfy their "good" customer on a car that has been a true "piece". The true quality of a company is shown not when everything is well but how they handle it when it is not well.

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  I think I got a lemon? - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By harleyhoney - June 22 - 8:23 am

  I bought my 6 brand new, I thought it looked really cool, I owned it til 6/2008, I only had about 25K on it... things were always wrong with it, first thing my headlights kept burning out I went thru 4 sets of bulbs over a 1 yr time frame next the transmission would shift randomly, and clunk all the time, dealership said nothing was wrong with it. Blew out vacuum hoses, brakes went out, battery was shot after 1 yr, there were many other things. The seats were hard as a rock, it was not safe on ice, handled very badly always got stuck in the snow, traction control (what a joke) the dash scratched so easily. I was not very happy with this car, I was so happy to trade it in.

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  Terrible technology! - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By driveitforev3 - March 27 - 9:43 pm

  The car is good - a little more sluggish than I expected, but still cute and fun. The problem is the technology package. After 4 months, I can say that I have given it my best shot, and it sucks. We have another car with similar features and this one is so sub-par. The touch-screen is so painfully slow, the features are clunky, entering in an address is horrible, and you can only do it while stopped - even if you are the passenger, so plan ahead! The voice control is totally useless. The Sirius radio loses the signal if you drive under a thick tree. And the phone bluetooth hook up keeps crapping out. If the technology package is important to you - look elsewhere.

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  mazda 6 2004 no no - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By acbrua - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought the new 6 last month on March first.....it has been in the shop now 5 time for the same reason. when you turn the steering wheel the cars front squeals!!!! I have found out mine is one of about a dozen so far that have been reported to do this also a secretary let is slip they are having problems on the 6 with shimmy problems....so my vote dont buy it!!!! Looks great but it si an over priced piece of junk

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  BAD BRAKES! 8 ROTOR CHANGES IN 40K MILES - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Paula - January 15 - 10:40 am

  I purchased this car in April of 03, and within 5000 miles, the rotors were shot, The dealership tried to say I drove the car hard. NOT! The next time I brought it in they tried to say dont drive it through a carwash!? That means you cant drive it in the rain! Hello? I had a Mazda Protege before this and the brakes lasted 80K without new pads or even the rotors being turned. It now has 43,500 miles, and I have had 8 (YES 8) rotor changes in 40k miles. They cant seem to fix the brakes. Now the booster pump went bad on the last change, and the booster pump is grinding AGAIN! I guess I got a LEMON! The car has otherwise been okay but the brake problems are frustrating.

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  Sues car - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Jim Sarver - September 11 - 4:20 am

  Engine is a little soft off the line. Need refinement. Needs lots of gas to get going from a stop for good speeds. Highway passing requires a greater distance than my other cars. Smaller than I would like. Otherwise, it is a pleasant little car.

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  So good, but so bad... - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By DC_Mike - June 14 - 1:23 pm

  I thought for a while before I wrote this. And I think my title describes my 6s perfectly. It really is all good, and all bad. Great to drive, sharp looking, so much more exciting than an Accord/Camry type. But Ive experienced horrible reliability problems from day one. Brakes replaced twice. CD player not working. Engine fan. Power locks. Etc. I havent even begun to describe the horrible build quality--rattles in the dashboard, drivers seat, passengers seat, sunroof, headliner, glove box. I used to own a VW Jetta, and joked that it was like a beautiful girlfriend who treated you like dirt--you cared and cared, and it never cared back. My 6 is just as bad. Ill never buy a Mazda again.

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  Mazda 6S - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Snowdy - June 10 - 7:33 am

  I purchased my MAZDA 6 in May 2003. To date I have 52,000 miles on it. This car looks great but is one of the most undependable new vehicles that I have ever owned (of 17). This car has been towed in 4 times, 2 times for the "knock sensor". The battery blew up, the transmission locked up and now the master cylinder has gone out on it. These are in addition to the 5 times that the "check engine" light has come on and they cant tell you why. This car will break me before it is over, even though I started with several thousand dollars equity, I am now in several thousand dollars negative equity. Learn the lesson from me, NEVER buy the first year of a new model.Terrible resell value!