2014 Mazda6 First Drive

[Swallow Doretti]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

I do think the car looks a LOT better in C&D's real-world photos than it did in Mazda's press shots--I really like it much better, and then tan interior looks fantastic. C&D loved the way it drives, but complained about road noise on harsh roads. The diesel is supposedly fantastic, and likely coming to the US. On the downside, the telematics architecture appears to be rather uncompetitive, which I think is as much a sign of Mazda's problems going alone as it is anything else. Considering how much I think inadequate telematics are hurting the 2 here in the US, this could be a problem for the 6.

This shot is fantastic--it really looks much better in white than red IMO:

[Volvo_D]

love it. the best-looking (and probably best driving) mainstream family sedan on the market!....hopefully that doesn't doom its sales figures. sheep like boring and floaty.

[BLK9GEN]

Having had NAV in a few cars now, I wouldn't waste the money if given the choice again. Most smart phones are great at getting me around (better in fact than my now 3-4 year old map data on my current car). Give me a good audio system and bluetooth integration and I'm good to go.

The new 6 looks like a winner for enthusiast drivers. Lets just hope they can give it a proper marketing push to get people in dealerships. That's the biggest struggle of all in this segment IMO.

Love this shot...

[AKADriver]

On the downside, the telematics architecture appears to be rather uncompetitive

Is the take rate on the big-screen million buttons and menus systems really that high?

To me, I see a big difference between not having any sort of connectivity at all (the 2) and having bluetooth/nav/usb/etc. and just not tying it together with a gimmicky system.

I know I'm completely out of touch here, I avoid that stuff if possible.

[Swallow Doretti]

Having had NAV in a few cars now, I wouldn't waste the money if given the choice again. Most smart phones are great at getting me around (better in fact than my now 3-4 year old map data on my current car). Give me a good audio system and bluetooth integration and I'm good to go.

I don't like the phone, and prefer in-dash for the bigger screen and faster response on data (since most good navigation systems are correcting based on the vehicle's speed and such, versus the phone which can lose connectivity and therefore your location.

Besides, these days, new telematics systems coming online should be upgradable anyway, which the Mazda does not be appear to be. This means that new software uploads would allow closer integration between the phone and the in-car system, thereby allowing you to take advantage of the best parts of both on one single, large screen.

[Swallow Doretti]

Is the take rate on the big-screen million buttons and menus systems really that high?

It's rapidly becoming a top three feature, especially among younger, more affluent buyers.

[GruuvenNorth]

yay! It's coming in a diesel!

[OG]

Reminds me of the Millenia. Great looking car by the way. Anxiously awaiting the diesel, whether in this or the CX5.

[AKADriver]

It's rapidly becoming a top three feature, especially among younger, more affluent buyers.

Good lord.

[SVTJayC]

How is a "sport sedan" with under 200 hp "fun to drive"? Give me a break. YAWN.

[Volvo_D]

How is a "sport sedan" with under 200 hp "fun to drive"? Give me a break. YAWN.

so only lots of HP = fun to drive? get thee to a nunery!

[SVTJayC]

so only lots of HP = fun to drive? get thee to a nunery!

You think the target demo will be doing a lot of canyon carving on their way to bring their kids to pre-school? It's not like this car has massive brakes and weighs under 3000 lbs. It's just another underpowered puss-mobile built to sell in Japan and Europe. If they expect to sell ANY here, it better have a more powerful engine option. American don't buy diesels. No matter how much they try to ram them down our throats. The demand just isn't there. American won't buy a diesel in a vehicle that makes SENSE to have one, like an SUV or pickup.

[BLK9GEN]

How is a "sport sedan" with under 200 hp "fun to drive"? Give me a break. YAWN.

Hey, at least it offers more torque than the FR-S/BR-Z.

Seriously though, HP obsession needs to stop. If they can get the suspension, steering and shifting right, and deliver a peppy engine w/ excellent MPGs, I'm sold. I don't need big HP in a daily driver under 95% of the conditions I drive in. As the saying goes, "it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow".

No one ever complained about a 323i E46 being "unfun" because it only had 170hp. From where I stand this sounds very much like a poor man's 3 Series, in spite of the obvious differences (FWD vs. RWD).

[Mazda 3s]

How is a "sport sedan" with under 200 hp "fun to drive"? Give me a break. YAWN.

[SVTJayC]

Your response is to post an old BMW? And I've been in my share of stripper 3 series, not a ton of fun. Also you're assuming Mazda has built a car of the same ilk, which considering the fact that one is FWD and the other is RWD is a foolish assumption. Apples and Pianos.

[maskedSONY]

Wow. That photo of the white car in the OP.... maybe I shouldnt be so cynical about Mazda...

[vrsexxy_GTI]

To me all these family sedans look cheap, no matter how hard they try on the design. Only the Passat and Accord will look good years from now.

[SVTJayC]

To me all these family sedans look cheap, no matter how hard they try on the design. Only the Passat and Accord will look good years from now.

You don't think THIS looks dated?

[Mazda 3s]

Your response is to post an old BMW? And I've been in my share of stripper 3 series, not a ton of fun. Also you're assuming Mazda has built a car of the same ilk, which considering the fact that one is FWD and the other is RWD is a foolish assumption. Apples and Pianos.

So let me get this straight

1) < 200 hp sports sedan = suck
2) E46 BMW 325i = no fun
3) You can't make a lightweight FWD sedan that is fun to drive?

[vrsexxy_GTI]

You don't think THIS looks dated?

Not one bit. For a 1998 design? Are you joking? Let's see every other family sedan of that era..

The B5 Passat was way ahead of its time in terms of design and still looks modern today..



Compare it to your average family sedan..

[lostmypassword]

To me all these family sedans look cheap, no matter how hard they try on the design. Only the Passat and Accord will look good years from now.

I got to check this out yesterday. Looks great in person IMO.

[vrsexxy_GTI]

Oh right.. The Fusion. Gorgeous car indeed.

[SVTJayC]

Not one bit. For a 1998 design? Are you joking? Let's see every other family sedan of that era..

You mean this?



Move along.

[Turbio!]

To me all these family sedans look cheap, no matter how hard they try on the design. Only the Passat and Accord will look good years from now.

No, they'll look dated, just like all the rest; they'll just be a little more unobtrusive in their obvious 2012-ness. And there's nothing about either of those cars that doesn't look like it cost $22k to start, either.

And yes, that Passat above is dated as hell. It just screams early '00s. Still looks okay, but it doesn't look like it came from any other era but the one it came from.

[SVTJayC]

So let me get this straight

1) < 200 hp sports sedan = suck
2) E46 BMW 325i = no fun
3) You can't make a lightweight FWD sedan that is fun to drive?

I guess the 325 could pass for fun if that's what you can get. But they are dog slow. And yes you can make a lightweight FWD sedan that's fun to drive, I have one (though it has 200hp). But this Mazda isn't lightweight.

[BLK9GEN]

Not one bit. For a 1998 design? Are you joking? Let's see every other family sedan of that era..

First of all. This is the 1998 version:



And this is a 1998 626



If you honestly think the Passat looks better, more power to you, but to me they both look boring and dated as hell. The difference now being that the new 6 has some semblance of style, whereas the new Passat looks like a German Impala. Compare this to 1998 when the Passat stood out for it's design and the 626 did not. One could argue that the Passat has actually aged less gracefully than one might have expected.

[BLK9GEN]

I guess the 325 could pass for fun if that's what you can get. But they are dog slow. And yes you can make a lightweight FWD sedan that's fun to drive, I have one (though it has 200hp). But this Mazda isn't lightweight.

[vrsexxy_GTI]

The Passat looks flawless.



The 6 is.. "Hey i'm cheap but i'm trying my best to look good"

[Fe2O3]

Considering how much I think inadequate telematics are hurting the 2 here in the US, this could be a problem for the 6.
[/IMG]

I don't pretend to know what most people want, but I'd just about pay a premium to AVOID that stuff. I see zero use for it in the dash.

[Mazda 3s]

The Passat looks flawless.



The 6 is.. "Hey i'm cheap but i'm trying my best to look good"

When it comes to looks

Passat:



Mazda6:

[Mike!]

The Passat looks flawless.



The 6 is.. "Hey i'm cheap but i'm trying my best to look good"

Funny how looking at the same two photos, I don't agree with anything you said.

What happened to the VW fanboys lamenting the 'dumbed down' 'supersized' American Passat. Now it's "flawless?" Lolz

[Double-V]

When it comes to looks

Passat:



Mazda6:

Hmmm. That's a tough call. The blonde is cuter but has smaller sweater meat and looks like she thinks she's hot and doesn't have to do a good job in the sack. Also, the hairdo and make up are borderline escort/street walker. The brunette is a bit more dowdy but has a nice rack and might be better in the sack. Plus a make over could do wonders.

[silverspeedbuggy]

The Passat looks flawless.



The 6 is.. "Hey i'm cheap but i'm trying my best to look good"

When it comes to looks

Passat:



Mazda6:

+100 internets for you.

[BLK9GEN]

MotorTrend First Drive:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...e/viewall.html

So, how does the 2014 Mazda6 drive? Pretty nicely, at least for the 70-odd miles we covered on French roads in pre-production Euro-spec cars. As promised, the steering feels nicely linear, and provides decent feedback. The chassis is balanced and composed, and while the ride is on the firm side, it's never flinty, with impact harshness and road noise very well-suppressed. The 2.5-liter Skyactiv four makes its presence heard when you hit the gas pedal, though it's never harsh, and, despite a slight deficit of mid-range torque, it's a willing worker. The six-speed automatic shifts quickly and crisply, and the early lock-up of the torque converter in each ratio not only helps gas mileage, but also throttle response. In manual mode, it responds promptly to commands from the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. If you desire even a modicum of driving enjoyment from your midsize sedan, this transmission alone is a major reason to buy the Mazda6 over a new Honda Accord or Nissan Altima and their soggy CVTs, or the new Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu and their stubbornly unresponsive autos.

[2.0_Mazda]

Nice job Mazda. Love everything about this car so far.

Too bad i-stop isn't coming here.