By Jim Powell
Mazda remains a smaller company with a small percentage of the US market. Yet, Mazda has been impressing US car buyers and the media with high quality and interesting vehicles for many years now. When compared to the big “Japanese Three” mid-size sedans (e.g., Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima), the Mazda6 offers a sophisticated car with impressive driving flair. Other competitors include VW Passat, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and Subaru Legacy. Domestic competition is thinning out these days but the Ford Fusion is still around for another year.
The chief complaints from journalists and owners about the Mazda6 have been a lack of power and the need for a more straightforward infotainment interface- like Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and a touch-screen. Mazda’s response comes in a beautifully designed 2019 Mazda6 with a turbocharged engine and a touchscreen infotainment package.
The Mazda6 Grand Touring and the Signature models have some mid-range performance with the available turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine. Power can be felt in the lower rev-range so the sedan gets a real boost. A quick drive in the Mazda6 can demonstrate that mid-size family sedans can still be more fun to drive than similar-sized crossovers.
The turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine has 310 lb.-ft. of torque peaking at 2,000 rpm which is right where most commuters live. The 250 horsepower is rarely felt when maximized at 5,000 rpm (available with premium fuel- 93 Octane). There is a carryover 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb.-ft. of torque and 187 horsepower when revved up to 4,000 – 6,000 rpm. This engine is more fuel-efficient with a highway mileage of 29 mpg, while the 2.5T gets 3 mpg less on the open road. So buyers can choose between excitement or economy in the lower Mazda6 trim levels. The Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter includes cylinder deactivation when cruising down the road and drivers have achieved more than 30 mpg.
All Mazda6 sedans get a host of high-tech features, including G-Vectoring Control Plus with adjusts wheel torque and brakes in tight turns for better control. The only transmission offered is a new Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic gearbox that finds the right gear 99% of the time. Even without a manual, the Mazda6 is still a fun car to drive and paddle-shifters add to the Zoom-Zoom experience. The Sport mode changes throttle response and shift points but it does not feel significantly different than the normal mode.
Safety is also standard for all models with Mazda’s i-Activsense Safety Suite (Mazda loves to create new ways to spell- as unique as their cars). A radar auto cruise control will stop and start the car in heavy traffic. The Blind Spot Monitoring will help with blind spots while the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system and rearview camera will help with parking lot traffic. Mazda was also one of the first companies to include acomprehensive city braking system with Pedestrian Detection to mitigate crosswalk or J-walking situations. Also included is Lane Departure Warningwith Lane-Keep Assist, Emergency Braking, and auto high beams.
As for the interior, let us just say it is very nice and well-executedin all the trim levels. The Signature trim gets soft Nappa leather seating, Japanese Sen wood treatments with an UltraSuede™ dash and door panels. I am not sure this would be easy to clean but regular care and time will tell. The Grand Touring Reserve receives a heated steering wheel, heated ventilated front seats, and heated rearseats. The new automatic power-folding side mirrors are a nice addition, and they let the driver know when the car is looked without a loud honk to aggravate the neighbors day and night.
As for Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ already mentioned, it now got easier with a new eight-inch,
full-color touchscreen display. This gives drivers the option of using the toggle dial or just a finger. After some practice, all these music and phone features can be used without too much distraction. The Signature also uses the screen for a 360° computer-generated view around the car with front and rear parking sensors. A Heads Up Display (HUD) is also available. Mazda Connect™ works with the owner’s cellphone to contact emergency services. All but the base model gets a BOSE® premium 11-speaker audio system.
As for livability, the 2019 Mazda6 rear seat is a little larger than the 2019 Nissan Altima but is still smaller than the newest Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, or Subaru Legacy. However, the new auto-leveling LED headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers are offered only on the competitor’s higher trims. Feature-to-feature comparisons don’t tell the whole story so a test drive is the only way to see which mid-size sedan feels the most compatible with the potential buyer.
Overall, the 2019-2020 Mazda6 is a stylish, sporty sedan that offers craftsmanship that rivals luxury sedans-for less money. Compared with previous generations, this Mazda6 goes faster and brakes quicker with larger front ventilated disc brakes.All-wheel drive is not offered. However, the Mazda6 drivetrain does well in most weather conditions. The paint colors and interior finishes are first-class and all of the newest Mazda6 models start at just $23,800. The Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve MSRP starts at $32,000 and the Mazda6 Signature at $35,100.
There is some tough competition on the road these days but the Mazda6 is still an exciting car to look at and to drive. If one actually gets into a Mazda6 and feels the quality, most will find this an entry-luxury sedan with some performance under the hood.