You asked how the leather is holding up. The answer is: pretty well.
Here is a pictural tour of the leather in our 2009 Mazda 6.
This is the driver backrest. The leather is unstained and the seats have maintained their shape. That semicircle you see toward the bottom is sun glare.
More pictures after the jump...
Despite its light color, you can see in this closer look at the perforated leather, there is no discoloration.
The headrests still look great. No greasy head smudges.
Besides a blue ink mark, the passenger seat looks clean.
The shutter on my camera went a little wonky here. This is the driver seat cushion. This is the most-used seat in the car and it is maintaining its shape well.
A closer look at the driver seat leather. No wear here.
vt8919 says:
07:14 PM, 11/24/09
I was hoping the driver's seat would be the most used seat, because if it was the back seat instead, I'd suggest something with more room next time...
I kid, I kid. Holding up pretty well, that interior.
adavis2493 says:
07:29 PM, 11/24/09
A quick question, are you editors aloud to smoke in the LT Cars (for those who smoke)
rdm925 says:
07:56 PM, 11/24/09
Thanks, I'm glad the quality and durability are good. My only regret with my 2007 6i Touring is that the dealer I was working with in Detroit could not locate a model in Bright Bahama Blue w/ Biege/Tan Leather which was available from Mazda at the time. I did not have the time to wait since I was replacing a stolen and totaled 2003 6s which was Red w/Biege/Tan leather. I had to settle for black. The quality of the leather in my car is not as good as the leather in the 2003 6s.
BTW, part of Mazda's problem in sells and marketing is the way they option or configure their models. They should make leather optionalon the touring or touring plus series in the 6. They make you buy the Grand touring to get leather. Honda allows you to get a leather option on the mid line LX.
bc1960 says:
08:40 PM, 11/24/09
Actually leather has been standard or available on the Touring trim in some model years. Mazda seems to change things annually in response to what people are buying. Leather was standard on the Touring in 2007-8, while the sunroof was standard in 2007 but optional in 2008 (Bose audio was standard in 2008). In 2009 the Touring had optional leather/cloth combination in the "Convenience Package" while the sunroof was only available in an absurdly overpriced package with the Bose audio. In 2010, there is a new "Touring Plus" trim which has the sunroof standard, but leather and Bose audio only come, standard, on the Grand Touring.
dderosa says:
09:57 PM, 11/24/09
No, we are not allowed to smoke in the long-term cars.
vvk says:
06:08 AM, 11/25/09
Is that synthetic or genuine leather?
carguy622 says:
06:38 AM, 11/25/09
There's nothing wrong with your camera Donna. It was just adjusting to the sun reflecting off the ivory seat. At that angle it was probably pretty reflective so the camera adjusted the exposure and made everything appear darker. Try the spot meter, or using exposure compensation, when that happens next time.
...and the seats do seem to be holding up well. Much more than I could say for my '04 Accord.
ahightower says:
11:17 AM, 11/25/09
Not bad at all. Still will prefer black in my next car, if it has leather at all.
prndlol says:
05:46 PM, 11/25/09
I have a car chock full of GM dark red leather (and vinyl), how hot is that?
Not hot at all.