Pros: Athletic, nimble handling makes for fun-to-drive personality among mainstream midsize cars; very respectable fuel economy; good passenger and cargo room
Cons: Despite the agile handling, acceleration is only so-so; a little more road noise than some midsize sedans; ride is a bit taut for the class
CG Says: For 2016, Mazda’s midsize sedan gets an upgraded interior with more padded surfaces and new features such as an electric parking brake, a larger 7-inch touchscreen on most models, and an available head-up display. Grand Touring models get a subtle exterior facelift that includes LED headlights. The Mazda 6 is one of the most nimble, athletic-feeling cars in its class. And thankfully, its fun-to-drive character doesn’t come at the expense of practicality, passenger and cargo versatility, or fuel economy. Plus, the 6’s safety and infotainment features help it keep pace with the ever-advancing technology of its competitors. The 6’s main shortcoming is that its lineup simply isn’t as broad as rival midsize sedans’. There is no hybrid version or 250-plus-horsepower engine choice (either as a turbo 4-cylinder or V6) available at the moment. Given the 6’s sporting intentions, some buyers will wish for a bit more power than its 4-cylinder can provide. Still, for shoppers who are yearning for some genuine enthusiast character in their daily-driver midsize sedan, a Mazda 6 could be just right.
| Class | Midsize Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Nation of Manufacture | Japan |
| Base Prices | i Sport: $21,495 i Touring: $23,945 i Grand Touring: $30,195 |
| Base Engine 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 184 |
| Std. Transmission 6-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission 6-speed manual |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 25-28 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 37-40 |
