There are many roads in L.A. that are fun to drive. Twisty, elevated roads with spectacular views.
However, most of our driving time is spent stuck on the freeway inching along with thousands of other commuters.
That is when the interior features of a car become so important.
Crawling my way home Friday night after a long work week, I became friends with our Mazda 6. It's not that I didn't like it before. But we got to know each other a little better.
I appreciate its easy-to-use audio system, its satellite radio, its seat heaters, its comfortable power-adjustable driver seat.
But most of all I enjoyed its pedal action. It's not too tippy like the BMW 7 Series. It's not too hesitant like the Suzuki SX4. It's just right. (I sound like Goldilocks.) And the brakes are the same. They have the right amount of feel. You never have a jerky stop. You never fear you're not going to stop. It's just right.
And when the heavens shine upon the freeway and a path finally clears for you, it has enough zoom to get you going. It's not the quickest car on the road, but it's not the slowest.
It's just right.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor @ 19,599 miles
eidolways says:
01:30 PM, 10/26/09
I would have more seriously considered the newest Mazda6 as a replacement for my old Mazda6 but for two obstacles:
1) I made a rule that the minimum number of cylinders allowable in my next car was 6. I was tired of having 160 HP flat from an NA 4, and I didn't want a blown 4 that seemed to always be trying too hard.
2) A manual transmission was a must.
The newest Mazda6, when equipped with the V6, cannot be had with a manual. This removed it from my list almost entirely. That, and the goofy front end. I still think the last generation looked better.
alex4515 says:
02:00 PM, 10/26/09
It looks good in that picture, but when I see them in person they are almost never that attractive.
bkochuk says:
02:11 PM, 10/26/09
you sure do like your seat heaters...
jeepsrt says:
02:22 PM, 10/26/09
Seat heaters? What was it a chilly 60 degree morning? It was 13 degrees here this morning and I still didn't use my seat heaters. I love California but you guys are weather wimps.
zoomzoomn says:
02:25 PM, 10/26/09
In size, though, I find my '03 6s to be "just right". For me, the new car is just "too big". I agree with eidolways in that I did at least wish they had offered the newly (in the Fusion and Milan) tweaked 3.0L that is now rated at 240hp in this car as a midline sport model with a 6 speed manual gearbox!
hondacura4 says:
03:21 PM, 10/26/09
I like the look of this car inside however the exterior is where my issues are. I actually love the front end and the RX8 styled fenders. The greenhouse is good but when I get passed the C-pllar it all goes to hell like so many Japanese sedans. The same with the G37 sedan and the TL looks horrible front and rear.
hondacura4 says:
06:42 PM, 10/26/09
I like the size of the last generation Mazda6 as well but that design didn't age well for some reason.
bc1960 says:
08:49 PM, 10/26/09
Until a few months ago, I was still seeing unsold 2008--even a 2007--Mazda6 V6 manuals sitting on dealer lots. Which is one reason the 2009s are all automatics. The other is fuel economy; modern automatics generally surpass manuals on the EPA tests, and Mazda6 V6 already drags down Mazda's CAFE enough.
As for seat heaters, remember the test car is a GT with standard leather upholstery, which most of the year is either unpleasantly hot or unpleasantly clammy without technological assistance that cloth upholstery doesn't require.