Back in 1987, Mazda wanted a big piece of America’s midsize pie. So the Zoom Zoom brand requisitioned an idle plant from the Ford empire. For two decades, even with heavy fleet sales, Mazda’s family sedan struggled to utilize a quarter of the plant’s capacity. Ford re-assumed managerial responsibility in the early 1990s. A few years ago, The Blue Oval Boyz moved Mustang production into the Flat Rock factory to take up some of the slack. For 2009, Mazda’s totally redesigned the Mazda6. Will the new car finally fill Flat Rock?
To that end, the previous gen Mazda6’s handsome but thoroughly forgettable shape has been replaced by a roofline that sweeps kink-free from the front fenders to the rear deck, and fenders that bulge upward and outward like those of the RX-8. It’s a sexy little thing, but there are plenty of aesthetic nits to pick.
As in many front-drive sedans, excessive front overhang spoils the proportions (Mazda’s photos favor the rear quarter view). The largest wheels accompanying the four cylinder engine—17” shoes—fail to fill the muscular fenders. Still, the new Mazda6 wears the segment’s swoopiest sheetmetal, without appearing bizarre.
Aside from a steering wheel’s homage to Wall-E’s EVA, the 6’s interior styling is less distinctive, less dramatic than its exterior. The materials are a step up, the ergonomics are excellent, and the electroluminescent instruments’ blue and red lighting (with black and silver graphics) provides Zoom with a view.
Mazda has finally caved to the American taste for space; the new Mazda6 all but matches the supersized Accord’s dimensions. But the coupe-ike roof exacts a penalty: merely adequate thigh support and limited headroom in back. If you seek rear seat comfort– or a driver’s seat with generous lateral support– shop elsewhere.
Those fearful of sliding about should consider the Touring trim level. The package offers attractive cloth center panels in the leather seats rather than the Grand Touring’s full leather. Cargo carriers will appreciate the roomy expandable trunk and its non-intrusive hinges, if not its modestly-sized opening.
The Maxda6’s features are generally in line with the competition. You can get voice-activated nav, Bluetooth and basic power adjustments for the front passenger seat— but not cushy armrests on the doors or air vents for rear seat passengers. The most curious omission: no shift buttons on the steering wheel with the automatic.
The 6’s four receives a bump from 2.3 to 2.5-liters, and now kicks out 170 horsepower. With the five-speed automatic, the four’s acceleration is adequate but uninspiring; curb weight is over 3,300 pounds, after all. With the fluid yet crisp-shifting medium-throw stick, there’s a bit more pep, but still few thrills. The engine revs smoothly to the redline, but its refinement cuts both ways. Like the old 2.3 it never seems to come on cam.
[Performance-minded Mazda buyers will choose the 6’s new 272-horsepower 3.7-liter V6— providing they can live with class-trailing 17/25 EPA ratings. FYI: The 375-horsepower Hyundai Genesis V8 offers similar efficiency Manual cog swappers also note: the ’09 six is autobox only.]
The Mazda6’s handling story is similarly uneventful—much the same as the old Mazda6. As before, the steering is light, precise and nicely weighted, with a modicum of feedback. Like most Mazdas, this one has a thinly padded steering wheel rim that asks to be guided delicately with the fingertips, rather than aggressively with the palms.
In conjunction with excellent forward visibility, the 6’s steering disguises much of the new car’s additional size and weight. In turns, roll and understeer are present but not excessive, and the overall feel is tight and precise. As before, credit goes to double wishbones up front and multiple links in back. Grip is decent, but would be better with the wider, higher-performance (but harsher riding) treads that attend the V6.
Aside from the slightly busy ride and attendant tire noise, what’s not to like? Not much. On the other hand, what’s to love? The Mazda6’s steering and handling are competent, but not engaging. Some competitors are more overtly sporty. Perhaps the Mazda’s chassis possesses a subtle excellence that requires extended exposure to fully appreciate? We’ll find out when Berkowitz spends a few days in a V6 Mazda6 later this month.
Meanwhile, brand-faithful corner carvers will want a sportier driving experience— which means there’s plenty of room for a new MazdaSpeed6. Mazda’s goal with the regular Mazda6 is to steal buyers away from Honda and Toyota. The new Mazda6 finally matches the leaders in terms of interior space and horsepower, and tops them with more dramatic styling.
That could well be enough to gain on the America’s midsize sales monsters. With its fifth attempt, even as Mustang sales decline, Mazda might finally fill Flat Rock.
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I drove one last week. It won’t be in my garage. It is too big, too heavy, and the cloth interior looks like something out of the sixties. A Buick at best.
An excellent review. But I wonder: does it beat the Accord or not, all things considered?
Thanks, limmin.
I wanted to go drive an Accord again, to refresh my memory of that car, but haven’t had time. Relying on a year-old memory, the Accord feels roomier inside (though the tape measure says only the headroom is significantly better) and its chassis feels more firmly damped in the German idiom. In comparison the Mazda feels lighter, with higher frequency ride motions, and more Japanese. Which is better? I remember being more impressed by the Accord, but maybe my expectations were lower.
The main card the Mazda has to play is styling. Want a BMW copy or something swoopier and more original?
As always, I’m hoping for an early reliability result for the Mazda6. All depends on how quickly people buy them then sign up to participate in the surveys.
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
Limmin brings up an interesting question. The way I think about it, the Accord, 6, Altima, Camry, Malibu/Aura and Fusion/etc. are all competent vehicles. And they all are very similar. Choice of 2.5L I-4 or ~3.5L V-6; similar trim levels and equipment options; even similar levels of reliability, I think.
The question in my mind is which of these vehicles is more appropriate to the individual buyer. For example, when I was looking 5 years ago, I liked the Passat and Altima, and was really tempted by the 6. But I bought the Accord because the combination of economy, reliability, rear seat room and driving fun hit the right balance for me.
Michael has written a good review. I hope the comments today are more about what in particular makes a specific midsize sedan right for you and your needs, rather than the usual “Camry sucks/Accord is ugly” conversations you see elsewhere.
Oddly, I’m still waiting for someone to offer a car in this segment that I really enjoy driving. None manage to be as sporty as the old Acura TL (new one as well?) or the new Maxima. Does it really cost extra to make a car engaging to drive?
Michael
I had the same underwhelming experience when I test drove both cars a few weeks back.
The 4 was better balanced with better mpg…but loud and slow at start up.
And the six had really stupid mpg for the unexciting performance.
True…THE most beautiful looking low end mid sized car, but it needs to pick it up a little to get all the passion juices running.
The car(s) were fun to drive, however.
I might be alone here, but they still blow away the others for fun.
Now a Mazdapeed6 is what’s missing here.
Michael
One more question…
What did you think of the 4’s power at take off when compared to the Accord?
See, I always thought Honda had the very best 4, Mazda the best feel.
When I drove the new 6, I thought the complaining sound would wear on me after a few hundred red lights.
You memory still have this?
Interesting engine choice. Maybe I’ve been around VW/Audi too long, but why don’t they make the base engine the 2.3t instead of a 2.5?
Tune it down to 210-220 hp and offer class-leading four-banger performance and ~30mpg highway, then you still have another 60hp premium on the V6.
I just fail to see how this car fits “Zoom Zoom” vs. falling in with the rest of the midsize crowd. I have high hopes for Mazda, so I’ll withhold judgment until I drive this one. In other news, I’d love to see the Mazda5 get the engine upgrade, too.
Michael, You pose an interesting question. However, based on consumer preferences, I find it difficult to see how the automakers would benefit from building a car in this segment that is engaging and fun to drive. What is everyone buying? Accords and Camry, and neither of them are very engaging. So when the average consumer (aka. no on reading this site) goes car shopping, and they would test either of these cars, they get something that is easy to drive (read: boring). But if there was a car that demanded you attention when driving, the average consumer wouldn’t want it, it would simply be too much work. So that means the automaker would be spending money to build an engaging family sedan, only to have it turn into a niche product. And those don’t make you money.
Why does the 3.7 get such poor performance with both its MPG and its power?
I expected so much more.
My memory isn’t good enough to remember the Accord 4’s acceleration. I do think the Honda engine has a more thrilling top end (this being quite relative) but low down? I will say that in my experience Mazda and Ford engines don’t feel as strong at lower RPM as many competitors do.
I did briefly drive the Mazda V6. It certainly doesn’t have the grunt off the line some others do, despite the class-leading peak figures. It comes on cam up around 5,000. So if you don’t really push it, it doesn’t feel as strong as the specs suggest it should. I suspect this is why it underwhelmed you, ppellico.
Michael Karesh
Interesting…got me thinking that maybe instead of just listing peak hp/tq numbers, manufacturers should also publish “hp/tq at 3,000 RPM” figures to appeal to where people actually drive the car most of the time. That speaks volumes without even having to drive the car personally.
The rear looks like an Accord and with Acura muffler RL Type.Hey if you are Mazda lover why not but still consumer need a refine car not another car that looks any other car.
I am just tired of eating checharonis on my rice and beans.
SherbornSean:
My needs are simple – fast, and a manual. Altima V6 is the only one that does both. The fact that I can get 29mpg hwy doesn’t hurt either.
Honda needs to hire some Mazda designers pronto. This thing looks great in photos and even better in person. It shows up the Accord for the brick-on-wheels that it is.
Too bad, though, that Mazda is drinking the same “bigger and softer is better” Kool-Aid that the good people at Honda are chugging non-stop. A big raspberry also for not offering a stick with the V6. And what the heck is up with the awful fuel economy?
Is it any surprise that two of the sportier sedans out of Japan of late – the Altima and new Maxima – are actually SMALLER than the models they replace. Thank heavens Nissan said “No thank you.” to the “Would you like to supersize that?” question.
I’d be tickled if they came out with a Mazdaspeed version of this sedan, but I kind of doubt they will.
Gimmemanual,
I hear you. Pity Mazda dropped the manual in its V6, as well as the more useful body styles. I think Altima is the only midsized with a V6 manual right now.
For whatever reason, the other foreign automakers treat the manual as the choice for pennypinchers (i.e. those who can’t afford an auto) as opposed to the choice for people who like driving. Of course, the domestics don’t even bother offering a stick.
While it’s a good looking car. Mazda tried to cater to too many consumer types. There is nothing wrong with being a niche player in this segment and offering an enthusiast-minded FWD sedan to people…you’ll sell in smaller numbers but you’ll get repeat buyers.
How did the car perform at full-tilt? I’ve noticed with some Mazda products that around the city, the steering is tight but the electro-hydraulic system feels a little overboosted…however, at higher speeds it is spot-on in how nicely weighted it is and points exactly where you want. Same with the suspension, it tends to smoothen out at higher speeds or in aggressive driving.
I’d like to see this compared to the Altima, as I feel the 6 and Altima are probably cut from the same cloth… which should not be the same as the Accord and Camry.
Seems like another new FoMoCo product with plenty of potential but still a lack of attention paid to the details…which is where it really matters.
Let’s hope the upcoming 3 replacement will succeed in a way that the new 6 hasn’t.
I have been in that Flat Rock plant. It started out life as the Ford Michigan Casting Center. Scariest place I have ever been, with buckets of molten cast iron driven around on overhead tracks by crazy men.
Jaeger,
Ford has developed a turbo version of the V6. I fully expect that engine to power a new MazdaSpeed6.
The V6 in the new Mazda6 does get a bit worse fuel economy than the Camry or the Accord, but it also has (slightly) higher horsepower numbers than either of them, and (more importantly) a noticeable chunk of extra torque. The engine (basically the same as in the CX-9 with a few modifications and the Lincoln MKS) is smooth and powerful, and is definately the one to have over the I4.
Driving the car around the interior is roomy yet cozy, enough space to be comfortable but not so much that you feel you are in a big car. The car also feels smaller than it is driving around, and has an extremely tight turning radius.
I’ve only had a chance to play around with a loaded V6 Grand Touring model, so I can’t comment on the cloth or interior of the base models, but in GT trim it is very nice, and the Bose sound system is one of the best I have heard in a car in this price range.
Midsize sedans are more or less appliances, and Mazda did make some concessions to that with the new 6. However with sportier handling and more power than the Accord or Camry instead of just making a clone, at least some of the core essense of the brand is left for those who don’t want to completely surrender to mainstream sedan boredom (after all, the Camry is becoming the new minivan).
Darn…the European market got cheated.
We get exactly the same car with an uglier rear.
Or is it just the pictures?
Anyway, at least we still get the Wagon…
Michael Karesh and others…
I know it is still my favorite mid size, but I was so hoping for the extra bit to make it my perfect car.
I mean, it always had that sporty feel and driver’s feel, but was always underpowered.
The Mazda3 has the zoom zoom…but the 6 never quite did. It had the feel, but never the get up an go.
Your remark about Mazda and Ford engines being better performers higher up doesn’t make sense.
Most of us regular (pretend) performance guys never really push cars the way you and others do.
But we want to feel like we are in a performance car in the everyday driving we do.
So how our cars perform leaving a red light or maneuvering around urban and suburban streets is what we truly need.
This is the only fun we have in our cars, really.
Many of you are missing entirely an important point.
Since the Mazda 6 is made in the same factory as the Mustang it suffers guilt by association.
If you store food in the fridge with an onion, eventually everything will stink.
A Bose stereo is never a good stereo. Mazda or Mercedes. Car or home.
Interestingly enough, in the Edmunds Comparo just posted, the Mazda6 bests the Accord and Altima in observed fuel economy and also bests them in every performance criteria. All were V6 models.
Mazda6 V6 20mpg
Accord V6 18mpg
Altima V6 17mpg
Not bad. I could see the new Mazda6 making its way into my garage.
Never knew about the FORD engine on a Mazda.
The weird part is that lots of people don’t like Ford except me.
They buy a car that has a ford engine like Mazda an then bad mouth the former or never bought Ford.
I bet majority of MAZDA lovers don’t know that Ford has a contribution on their Mazda’s.
That would be suprise for all Mazda fanatic out there.
Bose stereo is not bad at all. I rather use Bose stereo than Audiovox
I thought Bose is made in Germany?
So, it should be a great product.
One of the reasons I buy Mazda is because they’re owned by Ford. Had many (Great!) Fords in the family. Alot of Mazda owners are aware of the Ford connection, it’s all over the car.
Bose is American, probably made in China now.
The speaker cones are thin paper and most of the systems are 2-ohm, so the amp is not a high-wattage.
The factory Ford stereo in my 2004 Explorer sounded a bit better than the Bose in my Mazda and in my parent’s 2002 E430 (and the previous 1998 E50).
Well, for some reason the edit function isn’t working. I guess my point was: it’s not worth spending the extra money for the system…as it’s not better than the factory stereo. And with the money saved, you could always buy some better speakers for under $100/pair.
But then you’d have to forgo the sunroof.
(now the edit function is working)
Mazda is easily my favorite Japanese automaker.
Pretty much all of their products actually excude their “zoom-zoom” affordable and fun performance ideology and act as something a little more than just a four-wheeled appliance.
Still, I wish our version of the 6 looked as good as the one sold abroad.
Seriously BEAT, I doubt you could find a mazda enthusiast who doesn’t know about Ford’s controlling interest.
Samir
Seriously some people just buy a car that they like and no nothing about the history of that car and one of them is my mother or me.
It is the marketing aspect of how you can just buy a car and no nothing about it’s history or who made the engine etc etc.
Ask someone now if you don’t believe me?
Do you see a Ford emblem in a Mazda or see a sign that was made by Ford and use on a Mazda. Or Zoom Zoom commercial and suddenly at the end of the commercial. This message was approved by the Ford Company. No? right
That’s what I am talking about.
As for buying a Japanese car They are all the same for me. They handle almost the same after owning Mazda, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
You just have to buy the car the will last forever and that is the Toyota.
An like the American cars they have different handling and performance
I did my research not even Wikipedia mentioned the FORD with Mazda.
Can you guys tell the truth to avoid for the consumer to be confuse.
After mentioning that the engine of the Ford will be in the Mazda.
I wonder if the consumer will still buy Mazdas? tsk tsk tsk
I hope they put the engine of a Mustang on a Mazda that would be rice rocket there.
Michael – thanks for the heads-up on the turbo V6 – most encouraging. But I hope thay are also developing AWD for this platform.
Blowing on 3.7l of displacement sounds like a recipe for gobs of hp and torque, and if it’s all going to the front wheels, that sounds like a recipe for enough torque steer to twist this thing into a pretzel.
BEAT, my Mazda has several Ford labels on it, they’re on parts you can see in the engine compartment and under the car.
However, there are many consumers who don’t even bother to look around their car and will not see those Ford labels. However, enthusiasts and magazines have pointed out the shared parts and 33% ownership that Ford has in Mazda.
We can go one step further with the Mazda6 and tell the consumer that the new 6 is based on a revised platform of the old 6. Which is what Ford based the Fusion (and it’s triplets) on. Unfortunately this isn’t a Ford and Volvo shared platform like the Mazda3.
But yes, much of the marketing does try to seperate the two brands.
Jeager- I’m sure the Mazdaspeed6 will have a version of Ford’s touted EcoBoost V6…but maybe with some different naming. This platform is AWD capable, as the platform currently has (and had) AWD models.
gamper
Thanks for the Edmunds info.
I hadn’t gotten there today yet.
See, this is the kind of stuff that drives me nuts!
So what’s with the EPA?
Who the hell CAN we trust for our basic numbers.
We all know that its very dependant upon the way we each drive, but can’t we all just agree on the basics?
Are the EPA numbers that questionable?
Do they float that much, depending upon who you are?
I am just waiting for somebody who has purchased the new VW TDI Jetta to tell us what they are getting compared to what the EPA lists.
IF the Mazda does this well when compared to real worl Honda and Nissan, then it does indeed belong on my list.
Jaeger
Where did you get that info on a turbo?
I scanned these replies and cannot find it.
Is this in referrence to a speed6?
Also, folks…let’s get over this anti Ford thing.
They and Mazda have done very well together.
The outlook of Ford in the next 2 years looks wonderful and exciting.
As for as the Bose discussion, I am so busy enjoying the car and drive, I hardly ever even use the sound system anymore.
Thanks Texn for info I didn’t know that. because I don’t drive the new Mazda 3 or 6.
I don’t care about the Ford on the Mazda because I respect Ford and I’m just not use to see or hear a Ford on a Japanese car.
Unlike the Mitsubishi all their parts I think are Mitsubishi.
ppelico,
Mazda dealers never or rarely mention that Mazda have Ford parts?
I just asked 5 people right now if they know about their Mazda have Fords parts?
To their suprise their eyes got bigger. They all said no and they all drives Mazda 3
I wonder if BMW used a Mercedez tranny or Ferrari used a Lamborghini engine. That would be funny?
You are relying on salesperson to tell you more about a Car?
I rather rely on my 75 yr old grandfather who used to be a Mechanic for Ford.
There is nothing funny about a Japanese car using an American parts.
Someone who is buying a Japanese car that expect all parts are made in Japan not made in USA.
That’s my point.
Next time buy a Honda ask the the dealer if the Honda has Mercury parts on it.
Look at Acura CXS comments people don’t like it because the body is from a Honda Civic. They are both the same company same parts and the country they came from and still people complaint about the CXS.
Do you think Ford and Mazda combine parts no one will complain about it? that would be weird not FUNNY
or should I say there are just too many Mazda lovers in TTAC than Acura.
Holy Moses, people!
Mazda never mentions it uses Ford parts?
That’s misleading the consumer?
You’re kidding, right?
Do you have any idea how many parts are shared between brands?
Even brands not related?
If a sales person had to list this with every consumer conversation, a car would never be sold?
This funny.
gamper, ppellico, I don’t know what Edmunds’ drive cycle is like, but that kind of mileage in an Altima in a mixed-cycle is horrible. Let me be frank, I beat the snot out of my car, and I average 24. Oh, and it’s an SE-R, and it runs on mid-grade with no detriment. If I spend a weekend driving nothing but “city” roads, I get about 20. I can’t imagine how I’d get it down to 17, maybe fill the trunk with cement? My window sticker said 20/28, so if I average 24 and get 29hwy, I guess I’m at what the sticker says. And I was at what the sticker said for my GTi, and my Mustang…
“Oddly, I’m still waiting for someone to offer a car in this segment that I really enjoy driving. None manage to be as sporty as the old Acura TL (new one as well?) or the new Maxima. Does it really cost extra to make a car engaging to drive?”
Is it really not as sporty as the TL? I’ve always thought the TL wasn’t a sporty driving car.
You may have to blame the buying public or marketers for the lack of low cost sporty mid size sedans.
The previous 6 was always considered by reviewers as the sportiest of the bunch but it was largely ignored by buyers.
You may have to blame US safety regs for the excessive overhangs beyond the front wheels. I’ve noticed that European only cars very often have short front ends
How does the 6 compare to the 3?
PPELLICO you said
Do you have any idea how many parts are shared between brands?
Sony is using the HDTV Flat panel screen by Panasonic but Sony cost more than the Panasonic. Is that alright with you?
gimmeamanual: I believe you because I drove a Nissan before they are good in gas your numbers are right. SE-R love those but I already graduated from Nissan,Honda and Mazda.
I am concentrating more on a Mitsubishi for now and my next car is an Acura.
The Mazda6 lost some of it’s Zoom Zoom in this
production model, and yes it was to broaden it’s
consumer base, and gobble up some competitor business,
but still seems to have the ’sport sedan’
theme going. As a current 6 owner, I am a little
disappointed with this model, but I also understand
Mazda’s way of looking at it. I’m hoping Mazda will
offer the 6 cylinder with a stick in the future, and
that they will ‘refine’ the overall looks of the car
a little more…let’s consider this a stepping stone
in the evolution of the 6.
The 4 cylinder Mazda DOHC engine in the 3 and 6 is a Mazda designed engine, series MZR, also available in turbo direct injection (DISI). Comes in about 6 sizes including the 2.0 and 2.3 sold here in North America as well as the new 2.5l. It’s also used in European Fords like the Focus and Mondeo. I don’t know, but is the 2 liter in the NA Focus this engine as well, or some recycled Ford crap?
The 3.7l V6 is Ford’s new corporate engine used in Tauri, Flexes and those Lincolns with the wacko grille (MK?). I bet Mazda had a bit of a go at it before using it in their cars.
The old 2.3 engine should be a chuffer as it has a long stroke, but in fact can rev like crazy when modified, as a perusal of British web sites will tell. It has (had?) a bit of a oil supply problem. Cosworth makes versions of 250 hp for sale, as do a number of other suppliers, who go beyond 300 for 12000 pounds. It has an extremely well-designed cylinder head.
So Mazda only needs to acknowledge Ford help on the V6 cars.
From Michael’s post earlier:
Jaeger,
Ford has developed a turbo version of the V6. I fully expect that engine to power a new MazdaSpeed6.,
The Edmunds test results are quite odd. I have just about never seen 0-60 times that slow for the V6 Altima (7.0 sec). Heck, Car and Driver got 7.4 for the 4-banger. Usually, it’s in the 6.3-6.4 range for the V6 / CVT. A few mags have posted sub-6 second times for the V6 / 6MT – which is what I drive. Edmunds themselves got better numbers when they ran their full test of the Altima SE. The comparison test car was clearly a bit of a slug.
The thing that really impressed me most about the test results was the super-tight turning circle of the Mazda. That kind of manouverability will help offset its new puffed-up dimensions.
Jaeger: I think part of the reason for the 7 second 0-60 is that the Altima they used is part of their long-term fleet and isn’t as fresh as the Accord and Mazda6 they used. Keep in mind that’s without the foot of rollout usually included in other magazines’ acceleration numbers.
WMBA: Yes, the Mazda I4 (MZR) are the same as the Ford (DEH) engines. So, the Mazda 2.3l (updated to DISI 2.5l) is the same as has been found in the Focus, Fusion, Escape, Ranger (different heads), and a few other models including the Mercury clones. The range starts at 1.6l I believe.
These are not strictly Mazda-designed motors, Ford helped out a bit in these as well.
I think 6 would remain on the sidelines becuase the buyers in this segment usually do not care much about sporty handling. Ride comfort and space are more important qualities.
Thanks for a solid review Michael.
You mentioned “brand faithful” in your closing. Ive owned enough mazdas to earn that title. This car really doesnt appeal to me in any category however. It is too big and heavy to be nimble, too loud to be a near-luxury car, too thristy to be frugal, too flamboyant to be elegant. Even the rediculous exhaust finishers are still faux. And that plastic zebrawood is a BIT MUCH. There is no 5-door, no wagon, not even a manual for the performance version!!!! This car is just about everything that the protege5 was NOT. This is the first time in 15 years that a mazda is not on the test drive list for our next car.
Thanks Mazda for a good run. It was nice while it lasted.
BEAT
Again, you must be kidding here.
Well, maybe not.
Are you really saying that this parts sharing and design borrowing is not only wrong, but rare?
That you are not aware of platform sharing?
Engine sharing?
I am sorry to inform you that this is not only common, its vital.
Yes, everybody does it.
Lexus and Toyota.
Acura and Honda.
Audi and VW.
Even GM and Mercedes and others design together.
This is everyday common stuff..
2007 Mazda 6 owner here. Like the size of my 6, absolutely hate the beat-the-Accord mentality of the new 6. (If I wanted an Accord I would have gotten an Accord. I think the size of my 6 is perfect.)
Like gamper I read on Edmunds that the new 6, a fully loaded model, weighs 3596 lbs (!!!!!!). Mazda, come on, that doesn’t help the Zoom-Zoom quotient.
Mazda has since said it will reduce the weight of all future products, so I hope the ‘09 6 is the last product to come from the old thinking. I also hope Mazda doesn’t screw up the next 3, which is coming next year.
Here it is.
This goes to heart of all the “blame Detroit”.
Why did Detroit build so many SUVs and trucks…?
Because consumers demanded them!
That is the ONLY reason.
(yes, yes, they should have done better with car options. they should have listened to the dire warnings and news. but vehicle production and planning is years, not months, in the making)
NOBODY bought the old Mazda6.
Go ahead, all you car people, praise Mazda all you want for the old car…but NOBODY wanted it.
In fact, guess what they used as the most common complaint?
Size.
Yup, its back seat was to small.
To small and underpowered.
So Mazda does what any sane manufacturer would do…build what they will buy.
They made it bigger and more powerful.
Go figure!!!!
To build what they won’t buy is, well its stupid.
I told a car salesperson the other day that their industry is really hell.
So many great cars, so few buyers.
This is a business where if you fail just a little, you’re out of the game.
If they want it, build it.
Not build it and hope they will buy it.
I’d have to agree with SheabornSean, the midsize sedan segment is sort of crowded and most of the vehicles are all pretty good and similarly priced, though in my experience the Camry and Altima are cheapest after discounts. I really like the exterior styling of this car, but the MPG and the gloomy black interior are deal-killers.