All new Mazda6

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Finally. The real thing.

It looks really nice. But these days, most mid sized sedans do.
(I just saw a few of the new Altimas, and they do look really good on the road.)

Mazda desperately needs something that stands out. And I’m not sure this new 6 does that.

A2.0 Liter is available in some countries, with 148hp.
The engine of choice for the US will be a larger 2.5 Unit with 189hp.
With Mazda’s Skyactiv technology.
Even though a diesel is coming to the US next year, it isn’t sure yet if it will end up in the 6 or another car.
Maybe the redesigned CX-9 will get it first.

Conversation 21 comments

  1. Good looking exterior though not best in class IMO. But it still catches the eye. The interior is a whole other story. This is possible one of the ugliest interiors Ive seen ever. Its 2012 mazada. That head unit looks like it came from a 1998 corolla. Unless they pull a passat (decrease the quality and thus price), I dont know if this will catch on. I like to see more Mazdas on the road though.

  2. Oooh…. yikes! I hate to disagree with you, but I think this is a disaster for Mazda. The rear is proportioned like a late 90s Ford Escort. The exterior design is completely unbalanced and awkward. This interior is bland and predictable. No one will lust after this.

    Is good design dead? Are Cadillac, Audi, Range Rover and Kia the only sub-$100k carmakers that can pen a good design that hasn't been done a thousand times already?

  3. I think this is beautiful, unlike the new Altima/Maxima and Accord/Sonata. Only the similar 2013 Fusion will give this a run for its money.

  4. The trick with all these midsize sedans is the wheels. As long as they are properly sized and have attractive designs they make the cars look just fine. But I saw the new Altima the other day with the base wheels and it looked like an econobox. When are all those idiots running car companies going to wake up and realize that a good looking car on the road is worth ten times the millions in advertisements?

  5. The back looks very similar to the Hyundai Sonata.

    Other than that I'd also say it doesn't stand out enough and the interior is notch below Altima (which isn't that expensive looking either).

  6. Very Nice, but hardly the aesthetic better of the stunning (best in class looking) Kia Optima.

    I hope it does better than the last generation Mazda 6.

  7. This latest effort from Mazda I would say falls pretty flat. That emergency brake handle on the center console seems enormous. A foot pedal is more common nowadays to give more room.

  8. I think it's a fantastic design. A little short of the Fusion IMHO – however that is personal taste at play.

    The rear end is actually one of the nicer ones…agressive, but understated. It really reminds me of the last gen RX7.

    The interior is quite nice as well. Mazda truly deserves for this to be a hit.

    My biggest gripe is they should have the diesel out at launch. VW has owned this 'entry level' and 'mid-sized' market for way too long. I'd argue that consumers WANT more diesels (especially in Canada) – and are going to VW by default. Come on Mazda – give them/us and option and watch sales soar!

  9. Oh yea, another midsize sedan that looks like a hatchback (sarcasm). Seriously, in 5 years, all cars will look exactly the same.

  10. It doesnt seem to jump out in styling like the previous models did. Playing it safe isnt a bad thing.

  11. Looks more similar to the outgoing model than I imagined and hoped it would. They kept my least favorite styling cue…the fake rear door c-pillar shape. the 1st gen will still go down as the best looking 6. The front clip on this har is very handsome however. It overall, just doesnt look cohesive to me. With this being said, I say it is still far more handsome of a car than its competitors. The Altima is horribly styled, the Accord plain boring and the Sonata and Optima too over done. Overall, a thumbs up.

  12. The only thing that distinguishes one midsize from the next any more is the front clip. This is more distinctive than most. From the A-pillar back it's pretty generic Hyundai/Lexus/Infinity/Buick/Focus/Tarus/Mercedes/BMW/Chevy/VW/Honda/etc. I like the dash, it's a bit conservative, but well done. Not overwrought like current GM/Hyundai/Lexus/Ford dashes. Which I guess makes it more distinctive these days.

  13. I am sure Mazda will continue its long tradition of underpowered cars. I am glad they did not tweak the taillights to the point that it looked like the dorkey Buick Regal.

  14. New Altima will destroy this and anything Fird can muster. Toyota and Honda are out. Hyundai and Kia are weak.

  15. I've seen the new Altima. Total disappointment. The rear is awful, the tail lamps look crooked like it's suffered a slight rear end collision. The front is Buick grille happy , the profile screams rental car impala, and the interior is bland enough to keep my grandma happy. No manual transmission. Nissan needs to disappear. Sad. I used to be a huge Nissan enthusiast. Owned nothing but Nissan from 1985 to 2007. Won't touch one now.

  16. to the Mazda salesperson who said………I've seen the new Altima. Total disappointment. The rear is awful, the tail lamps look crooked like it's suffered a slight rear end collision. The front is Buick grille happy , the profile screams rental car impala, and the interior is bland enough to keep my grandma happy. No manual transmission. Nissan needs to disappear. Sad. I used to be a huge Nissan enthusiast. Owned nothing but Nissan from 1985 to 2007. Won't touch one now.

    Your fear of the Altima is both apparant and justified!

    September 3, 2012 4:13 PM

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