They say familiarity breeds contempt, but I think the opposite may be true for cars. Spend enough time with any machine and you can't help but sense some beauty in its lines. Not that the complex curves of the Mazda 6 are heinous to begin with, but the subtlety of its shape is definitely starting to impress.
It's in some good company as well, as I thought I'd spotted a nearly identically prepped Sangria Red 6 getting a scrub in a neighbor's driveway, and it wasn't until I was close enough to wave that I realized it was a Jaguar XF in a remarkably similar shade. That lucky owner also did a double take as I rolled by, probably drawn in by both cars' high bustle.
The 6 is no XF, but our oddly luxed-out four-cylinder model continues on as a remarkably pleasant daily soldier, and even the normally unappealing arrest-me-red paint scheme continues to look rich and almost peppery. That spicy shade doesn't carry over into thrust, however, but many of us are probably focusing on what a bargain this machine must be with its four-cylinder mill, as there isn't a time I drive it that I'm not impressed by its content. Trying to adjust the front passenger seat from the drivers perch had me fumbling for a lever in front of the seat, then doubtfully reaching for the far side of the seat to be surprised again in finding power adjustments. In a four-cylinder? Wait, what's the sticker on this thing again? $30,340?
OK, scratch that. Our Mazda 6 is a loaded, luxed-out four door that gets sexier looking by the day. But topping $30K, it's got everything you'd expect at this price but motor. Jockeying for an upcoming turn lane, I had to dent the fire-wall to out-hustle a Prius. He was full-bottle too, but it was close. For the sticker, I'd want a little more accelerative breathing room. Though riding on the capable "old" 6 platform and not as slinky, you can tart up a 2010 Fusion SEL pretty well for $30K, including Sync and a 3.0-liter V6.
Paul Seredynski, Executive Editor @ 12,141 miles
fuhteng says:
11:48 AM, 06/ 8/09
Just like last time guys, if you're going to spend ~$30k on a 4-door sedan and want some oomph, go for the G8 GT. There is not another 4-door on the planet than can do what the G8 GT does for the price. Yes, the 6 is 'luxed-out', but I'd rather have some cojones for my red-ride than just a pretty ride with a bunch of toys.
louiswei says:
12:45 PM, 06/ 8/09
"I realized it was a Jaguar XF in a remarkably similar shade."
Someone needs an eye exam and needs it bad...
cx7lover says:
01:02 PM, 06/ 8/09
Well, if you look even closer the 6 in the pic is the 6 IL should have, the 6s.
fuhteng
The 6S starts at 25K and it's not being phased out.
clarkma5 says:
01:28 PM, 06/ 8/09
I know I'm just behind the times, but a $30k 4-cylinder family sedan is shockingly pricy in my book.
zoomzoom22 says:
02:22 PM, 06/ 8/09
*makes frustration face*
Let's do some math here:
Factory nav system: $2,000
V6 instead of the 4 banger: about $2,000 more
Instead of constantly complaining about the motor, you guys should've ordered a V6 in the first place (just like you did with the Accord, Camry, Altima, and Sonata). As your test team already knows, the V6 is a rocket.
The duratec in the Fusion is underpowered and unrefined. The only reason that it was such a gem in the old gen 6 is because of the tweaks that Mazda did to the engine. This created one of the smoothest and THE best sounding (although not the quickest) V6 in the family sedan class from 2003 to 2008. Although they are both Duratecs, you'd be hard pressed to think that it's the same engine after driving both cars.
I'm not even sure where the $30,000 Fusion comparison came from. The new V6 Grand Touring rings in at a hair over $29k without the unnecessary nav system or Bose/Moonroof package, and under $31,000 when equipped with everything except the nav.
If I were you guys, I would've saved the $2,000 on the nav, order a V6 GT, and buy a Garmin instead (a la Suzuki SX4). Plus, you pay more in the 4cylinder model to get an auto tranny, which comes standard as a 6 speed in the V6 model. All in all, total spent would be basically the same.
carfreak8394 says:
02:23 PM, 06/ 8/09
I saw a silver iTouring model yesterday, and I thought it looked awful. It's amazing what a color can do for a car's looks. And those wheels...
zoomzoom22 says:
02:31 PM, 06/ 8/09
louiswei,
http://www.gayot.com/images/auto/jaguar/xf/jaguarxf_bottom.jpg
http://blog.cochesalaventa.com/_fotos/2009-Mazda6-pricing-revealed-online_-starts-under-_20k_18261_2.jpg
They look pretty similar to me...esp. the bulging rear fenders and the exhaust tips. The rooflines are nearly identical as well. I can see where the confusion came from. Both cars are gorgeous.
louiswei says:
03:52 PM, 06/ 8/09
zoomzoom22, you need an eye exam too...
ocramida says:
03:53 PM, 06/ 8/09
I've always believed that Mazda designs the sexiest looking cars for the price. Anyone with two eyes can see the euro design influence in every Mazda. It's the only affordable marque that's exciting to look at. My MS3 is gorgeous at almost every angle, with strong curves and a masculine stance. IMO the Mz6 is nice looking from every angle except the side, where it's length is hard to hide. Still compared to every other affordable sedan in the range it's the sexiests and most interesting. The Camry and Accord are ugly and derivative by comparision. The same holds true for the new 3. You may not love the new grille but at least it's interesting and exciting to look at. You can't say that about anything from Honda, Nissan or Toyota.
cwc1 says:
06:03 PM, 06/ 8/09
Zoomzoom, I knew that Mazda had tweaked and improved the Duratec in the last generation 6, but thought that Ford shared the exact same engine in the Fusion. If not, I wonder why?
So, with the current 6, is the 3.5 better in the Mazda than it is in the Ford?
Monocrom says:
07:46 PM, 06/ 8/09
What's up with the pic above... Cause that's definitely not the 4-cylinder Long-Termer. Looks like it. But the exhaust pipes say otherwise.
Where did you guys notice the red, V6, twin of your Long-Termer? And did you get to drive it?
johnnyr3 says:
09:34 PM, 06/ 8/09
$30k and you're "trying" to out hustle a Prius(!)? NO. And. NO.
I will gladly go with out motorized seats and sat nav if it means I will always be able to get out of my own way. My arms and Garmin still work great.
zoomzoom22 says:
05:49 PM, 06/ 9/09
I'm not sure...they are probably about equal. I do know that Mazda has a knack for dialing down the unrefined nature of many of Ford's Duratecs with better transmissions, etc.
Read any CX9/Edge comparo and you'll see what I mean.
tshoe says:
10:31 AM, 06/10/09
The 6 w/V-6 in the picture looks much better than the IL car. Wheels, lower stance (?), dual pipes, slightly tinted windows. I am not a huge fan of the color but my wife would probably like it. I saw a silver 6i yesterday and it looked rental car bad.
anythngbutgm says:
01:14 PM, 06/10/09
Best looking midsize out there until the Fusion Sport came along :)
ocramida says:
05:27 PM, 06/11/09
cwc1
FYI the new 6 has the 3.7 not the 3.5.
sixwheeler says:
05:42 AM, 06/22/09
You might be right: the G8 outdoes most - if not all - others in everything for the price, but only when it's new. But by the time the 6 hits 100,000 miles still running flawlessly, how many days would the G8 have spent in the shop? I almost bought the Saudi equivalent of your G8 (the Chevy Lumina SS) but backed out - twice - because of of the horror stories I heard from owners: blown differentials, overheating, shot suspensions... etc. By contrast, my old Mazda 6 ramped up 71,000 miles in three years before I sold it, and it was still looking and running like new on the day I gave the keys to the buyer, and that's in the scorching Saudi climate. So yeah, I guess you do get what you pay for after all.