2009 Mazda 6i Grand Touring: Tall Guy Friendly

I find the 2009 Mazda6 much more comfortable for tall people then its predecessor. Mazda may do it right in the 6, but I've always felt very uncomfortable in the 3.

"birthing position"! That's great.

Agree. Tall dudes unite for equality and stuff! If only the humongous center console trend would go away I'm be really happy. Even when there's plenty of leg room, I'm always leaning my right knee up against something, which is annoying. Makes me want a Town Car with a bench seat.

At 6'7", I agree. I came close to getting a Mazdaspeed3, but ended up with a G8 GT. BMWs have fit me very well, except the Z3/Z4. Toyota is particularly bad. If I want to move the seat back far enough to get rid of rear legroom, let me! The back seat passenger doesn't need a foot of clear space. I can't even fit in the Avalon. Volvo is also good, I fit wonderfully in the little C30 (now if it were only more enthusiast oriented...).

Thanks for the info James.

I'm looking for a new car to replace my 14yr old Ford and I'll definately test drive this Mazda 6 for sure for the adjustable seating position. The cabin looks pretty good as well. I'd opt for the V6 though. Fuel economy isn't much of a concern since I walk to work and drive primarily on the weekends.

As someone who is 6'4" and drives an RX8 I totally agree that Mazda is on the ball here. I fit much better in it than its similarly sized competitors.

I just wish that I could squeeze into a Miata. It's almost doable.

That's a nice looking interior.

My Altima was the same. 6'3" and was perfect for me. the M45, not as much. i don't know if it's the seat or the wheel but i feel as if the telescoping doesn't extend out far enough, at least compared to the Altima. I tried it with my parents' Altima and it comes out the same distance but it still feels off.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who lifts the front end. People tend to look at me funny when they adjust the seat in my car.

Maybe I shouldn't let others drive it as much...

I'm about 6' 2" and even without a power driver's seat, finding a comfortable driving position was easy as pie. Took me literally a few seconds to adjust the seat and steering wheel to where I like them, on my Mazda6.

cars are funny like that... at 6'1, I fit great in my GTI with acres of extra room. my seatback is actually quite upright and the seat isn't near the back of the tracks. given the seat height adjustments and tilt/telescope wheel, i could put the seat in other completely different positions that would also work.

on the other hand:
i cannot find a comfortable position in the current audi A6 (a MUCH bigger car) to save my life... just one of those things i guess

Being 6'5" tall, I have found it increasingly difficult to find a comfortable car. The main problem being the wide, sweeping center stack/consoles that automakers are using these days. There is nothing comfortable about having your right knee pinned between the steering wheel and the center stack.

Typically, the domestic automakers have better designs for tall people. My current '06 Chevy Impala is comfortable. The Chrysler 300/Charger/Challenger are also good for tall people. I have sat in the GM Lambda platform vehicles, and they seem to be a good fit.

Toyota Highlander is the only Toyota model I have found that works. Avalon and Camry do not fit.

Hyundai Sonata and Azera are possibilities, but the Veracruz has terrible front legroom.

The Ford Edge isn't bad, but the Taurus is borderline. The Mustang is a no-go, as is the Lincoln MKZ.

I test drove the Mazda CX-9 and found it to be an uncomfortable, unexceptional vehicle. I walked away mystified as to why it is so highly regarded. Throttle response was erratic, braking was poor, and the ride quality was very "busy". The unit I drove was new, front-wheel drive, with about 100 miles on it. Based on my CX-9 experience I am not too eager to go back and sample the new 6.

Nissan Murano and Maxima are decent for tall folks as well.

I have yet to find a Volvo that I would consider even remotely comfortable.

The CX-9 is great, the reason you didn't like it is because you don't like what a Mazda is all about. You need a Buick Enclave, pissy slow throttle response, nice floaty ride, and nice mushy brakes.

I really like the 6s overall interior design however the materials (at least in the 6 I sat in) felt like they were from an older car, same with the CX9.

@ ryster -

In all fairness, a Mazda 6 and the CX-9 are different creatures. My 6 has been with me for almost 2 months. I'm about 3 inches shorter than you, but comfort and headroom are not an issue in my 6. I test drove an sGrand Touring with a moonroof. Had plenty of headroom. Had even more when I bought an sSport without a moonroof.

No issues with throttle response. Braking is indeed numb with a bit too much travel, but the brakes are very strong. I've had friends and aquaintences comment on the ride being surprising smooth. (I always point out how much torque and horsepower the the engine has, as soon as they climb into my car).