Strengths

Fresh, athletic styling; excellent road manners and handling; refined and powerful engines; excellent standard safety features

 

Changes

The Mazda MAZDA6 is redesigned for 2009. The new sedan wears attractive, aggressive sheet metal with pronounced, crisply cornered front fenders. The car is seven inches longer overall and rides on a wheelbase that is four inches longer than the previous MAZDA6. Gone from the line-up is the 5-door hatchback.

Two new power plants motivate the MAZDA6: The base 2.5L 4-cylinder delivers 170 hp and replaces the 156-hp 2.3L unit, while a 272-hp 3.7L V6 takes over for the old 212-hp 3.0L V6. The 4-cylinder returns an estimated 21 mpg city/30 miles per gallon highway, while the V6 achieves an estimated 17 city/25 hwy mpg.

Standard comfort and safety amenities abound, and four trim levels allow for a driving experience from sedate but sophisticated to zoom-zoom.

Prices range from $18,500 to $28,260.

 

Value

The 2009 MAZDA6 improves upon the modern inexpensive sport sedan. With the excellent outgoing model as its foundation, the new car goes up against the Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, and the upmarket TSX from Acura.

 

Overview

The 2009 MAZDA6 is a stylish, capable small sports sedan priced attractively. With great power from two rev-happy engines, and sporty independent suspension all around, the new MAZDA6 offers a driving dynamic not offered by many cars in its class.

Four trim levels are offered: SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Two new engines power the entire range, and each is available within the four levels. A 2.5L 4-cylinder delivers 170 hp and can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with manual shift capability. Models powered by the 4-cylinder engine get the "i" designation. Those bearing an "s" designation get their power from a 3.7L, 272-hp V6, which is a significant 60-hp boost from the 3.0L it replaces. This engine comes from Mazda's popular CX-9 crossover. A 6-speed automatic with manual mode is the only transmission available.

The SV trim offers only the 4-cylinder and comfort and convenience features include tilt/telescopic steering with stereo controls, air conditioning with cabin filtration, power windows, locks, and mirrors, a split-folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, 17-inch alloy wheels and a theft-deterrent system.

Sport trim adds the optional V6, as well as cruise control, a digital media interface, and keyless entry. Stepping up to Touring adds an 8-way power driver seat, keyless entry and starting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 18-inch alloys and fog lights. Finally, in Grand Touring trim, the MAZDA6 gets leather seating with heated front seats and power on the passenger side, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth handsfree phone link, heated mirrors, automatic Xenon headlights, automatic windshield washers, a universal garage door opener and a blind spot indicator.

Popular options abound on the MAZDA6, though they are reserved only for Touring and Grand Touring models. On these, the Moonroof & Bose Package adds premium 10-speaker surround sound, a 6-disc CD changer, SIRIUS satellite radio and one-touch open moonroof. On Touring trim, the Convenience Package includes dual zone climate control, Bluetooth, blind spot monitoring, upgraded interior and more. A navigation system is available as well.

All MAZDA6 sedans come loaded with standard safety features like electronic stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, dual front, front side, and curtain side airbags, active head restraints, and a tire pressure monitor.