3
0
Large car; Built in Japan
  • 4-door sedan
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,200 – $2,100*


1992 Mazda 929


1995 Mazda 929


1992 Mazda 929


1992 Mazda 929 interior


1992 Mazda 929 interior

Pros:
  • Antilock brakes
  • Braking ability
  • Quietness
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Wet-weather traction
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Driving position

Overall, the 929 pales when compared to the Acura Legend, Lexus ES 300, or Nissan Maxima. Its V6 lacks the refinement and verve and the 929 comes up short in too many areas to be a prime choice among used luxury cars.

Overview

Restyled for 1992, the 929 premium sedan remained Mazda’s luxury flagship. This new 929 bore little resemblance to its predecessor of the same number, which had been boxier in shape. The redesign yielded a more-rounded, flowing body on a wheelbase that was 5 1/2 inches longer. Mazda also added dual airbags. Despite being nearly as long as before and close to three inches wider, trunk space shrunk. The 24-valve, twin-cam 3.0-liter V6 and standard antilock brakes of the previous S model were carried over, though the engine was revised a bit and gained five horsepower. A 4-speed automatic was the sole transmission, with “power” and “normal” shift modes.

Yearly Updates

1993 929
A glass moonroof replaced the former metal unit. The Premium Package now included wood console trim and a rear-armrest-storage compartment. Alloy wheels were restyled, and a 4-way power front passenger seat joined the optional Leather Package.
1994 929
The V6 dropped by two horsepower, to 193, as a result of emissions modifications. A cupholder was added to the central console, and front shoulder belts now were height adjustable.
1995 929
Additional standard equipment went into the 1995 model, including leather upholstery, a remote keyless entry system, and wood interior trim. Only leftover 1995 models headed to dealerships for ’96.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

Only one powertrain was available through the 929’s lifespan: a dual-overhead-cam V6 engine, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission.

dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/180
Engine HP 193-195
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 200
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 19/24

 19.2

Road Test

Not quite as lively or silky as the Lexus ES 300 or Nissan Maxima, a 929 isn’t quite as nimble either. You can expect a bit more body lean in corners, though the car is generally well-controlled. Steering feels tight and responsive, but is a shade light for best high-speed control. Braking prowess ranks among the best in its class.

The 929’s V6 engine delivers more than adequate acceleration, capable of reaching 60 mph in 9.4 seconds. Smooth and quiet on the road, the engine sounds harsh when it’s cold and feels a little rough. We averaged 19 mpg, and the 4-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and promptly.

Interior noise levels are low, and slim roof pillars permit good visibility. A bumper-height opening allows easy access to the trunk, but space is somewhat limited. The interior is also less roomy than might be expected. Front seats aren’t that spacious, and the driver’s seat doesn’t have enough rearward travel. In addition, tall people are likely to find their heads against the ceiling, and the steering wheel lacks a tilt feature. Rear leg room is good, but head room is limited and a center person must straddle the driveline hump. Conveniently positioned controls and large, clear analog gauges sit on an attractive dashboard.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Mazda 929

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 3
30%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 50

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
112.2 193.7 70.7 54.9
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
12.4 18.5 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
37.4 37.4 43.4 37.0
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 929 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 173
Injury 92
Theft 192

Trouble Spots

Engine misfire
Description: Fuel-injector seals may leak causing an electrical problem resulting in an engine miss. (1993)
Engine misfire
Description: Using a replacement distributor cap can cause high idle with erroneous trouble codes blaming the crankshaft sensor and/or distributor. (1992-95)
Engine temperature
Description: Overheating may be due to plastic water-pump impeller coming loose or breaking. (1992)
Oil leak
Description: A crack in the oil gallery in the 3.0-liter cylinder head allows oil to seep into the coolant. (1992-95)

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 22, 2014.
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