I wish Mazda had a bigger advertising budget.
It would help them sell the Mazda 6 sedan and take away some the buzz from Honda and the like. For the “Zoom-Zoom” that Mazda has made as their attention getter, they really do have a sort of Zoom that seems lacking in a lot of their competition.
The new Mazda 6 is well positioned to take on their better known rivals from Toyota, Honda and Nissan. The Mazda 6 has nine variations if you count the two engine choices and three transmission offered. My test sedan was about in the middle of the mix and labeled the sedan touring model. It had the base 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine with a healthy 170 horsepower and well matched to the also base 6-speed stick shift transmission driving the front wheels. There is a power upgrade that has a V-6 60 degree 3.7 liter with 272 hp and only available with a 6-speed automatic.
The slick styling remains almost unchanged from the base 6 sedan that stickers around $18,450. The top of the heap 3.7 Auto S Grand Touring Sedan could be about $28,390.
Seems like a lot of money but you will get about every accessory possible. A DVD navigation unit is optional.
The test sedan had perfect Comet Gray paint. The alloy 17-inch wheels with P215/55R tires not only looked right but gave the somewhat sporty sedan a very smooth ride even on our nasty Michigan roads. Hey, it’s made right here in Flat Rock, too.
Actually, the Mazda 6 could be mistaken for a mid-luxury sedan with its sloping roof and long hood.
I like accessories, and what seemed like luxury items years ago are now expected. The Mazda 6 in the sedan touring model had about all of the former luxury goodies. The 8-way power drivers seat is a better way to find that perfect location, but the old arguments reoccur when my short lady co-tester drives and she is annoyed that she must actually set the seat in her comfort zone. No memory settings are included but there are plenty of other things like the air-conditioning, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, stereo with a 6-disc CD player including MP3 playback and a jack for a MP3 connection. The standard cloth seats were ok but not too exciting, but the manual lumbar support was welcomed. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also had controls to the audio system and cruise control.
Sometimes overlooked but important items are the all-wheel disc brakes, traction control and stability control.
Fog lights and the chrome exhaust dress up the styling, but I really like the emphasis on the front fenders that budge out and give the Mazda 6 a sporty appearance. That design queue is shared with the rear fenders, too.
Driving the Mazda 6 with the base 4-cylinder engine will satisfy most buyers due to its lively response. However, the V6 engine will make the “6” a real stoplight racer. You will give up around 6 miles per gallon for that extra 132 hp.
Overall, the Mazda 6 was well able to match or even surpass its competitors in every category.
For a little more “Zoom Zoom” in your life, give the Mazda 6 a try.
Check out the “Fast Eddie Cruisin Blog” at theoaklandpress.com/blogs.