2014 Mazda6: Humans Are Capable Of Building Beatiful Things

It’s a matter of personal taste, obviously. But many people have included the Mazda6 on their list of the most attractive vehicles currently in production. This comes as Mazda has finally ditched the smiling grilles (and bumpers) that did more bad than good to the vehicle’s appearance.

I recently tested two Mazda6s and got tons of compliments on the vehicle’s style. One person even mistook it for a Hyundai. Personally, I think this Mazda’s lines will age better and that the company’s designers will have an easier time updating them in the future. But keep in mind that I have trouble drawing a straight line, even with a ruler.

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Still more things to invent

Some folks will find the dashboard a little lacklustre. Sure, there is a lot of black and dark grey, but brushed aluminum accents have been added here and there to liven things up a bit. The materials are generally nice, but I hate the fact that the small touch screen is always smeared with fingerprints. Considering that humans have invented Windex, Liquid Paper and the “backspace” button, you’d think that we could devise a screen that masks fingerprints. While we’re on the topic, though, I should mention that the connectivity gets full marks. I was able to connect my BlackBerry on the first try. In contrast, the storage compartments didn’t score very well – much like in the Mazda3. Humans have invented keys, smart phones, chewing gum, water bottles, and the agenda – where are you supposed to keep all this stuff? As a consolation, the glove compartment is fairly big.

Directly in front of the driver are easy-to-read gauges whose design is pleasantly plain. Actually, all the controls are very easy to understand. I had no trouble finding a good driving position and the seats offer good support on corners. The back seats are low to the ground, however, which makes getting in and out more challenging. There’s enough leg room, but anyone over 5’10” will find the ceiling quite low. The seatback folds 60/40. The trunk is one of the largest in the category, but since nothing is ever perfect in this world, its opening is relatively small.

Technology that works!

The heart of this vehicle is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder SKYACTIV engine. Mazda released a massive advertising campaign to tout this technology, which is ultimately not that hard to understand. For more information on the SKYACTIV system, click here. Most people don’t care about oil or bolts, though. Results are what matters to them. And in this case, the results are conclusive. Testing a version with an automatic transmission, I obtained an average of 8.1L/100 km (50% highway, 30% secondary roads, the rest in the city). The Mazda6 with a manual gearbox used 8.3 litres – of regular gas to boot. Nice!

So maybe its engine with 184-horsepower and 185 lbs.-ft. of torque performs better on paper than it does in reality. That said, it takes 9.0 seconds to run from 0-100 km/h, which is not that bad and should satisfy most buyers. It’s just that when a vehicle looks aggressive, we tend to expect more from it. Increasing speed from 80 to 120 km/h takes just 6.4 seconds (according to our manual stopwatch). It’s pure joy, as this four-cylinder doesn’t shy away from high revs!

The six-speed automatic transmission works like a charm. On the Mazda6 GT, the paddles behind the steering wheel let you downshift while leaving the shifter set to “D.” I didn’t find the manual gearbox very satisfying. It’s not that it has any concrete faults; it’s just that I would have preferred a clutch with more personality. If a quiet ride is what you’re after, opt for the automatic, as it allows the engine to purr more gently at 100 km/h than the manual does. Plus, automatic transmissions generally translate into better resale value.  

Mazda, give it the means to live up to its ambitions

What really makes the Mazda6 really stand out is its handling. It may not have the soul of a pure sports car; it definitely has a serious chassis, which is evident as soon as you take your first corner. In fact, this chassis could easily handle another 20 or 30 horsepower. Despite the fact that the steering wheel is wrapped in slippery leather (the likes of which we usually see on Korean cars), the steering is responsive, precise and provides good feedback from the front wheels. The vehicle’s accelerations are also lively, with no torque effect coming from the front wheels.

The suspension is unbothered by the countless bumps and potholes that characterize our road networks, sparing passengers from discomfort. That said, it is firmer than the Honda Accord’s suspension, which could annoy people who prefer comfort over dynamism. The passing speeds on corners are very good for an intermediate vehicle made for families. The brakes do a decent job stopping the vehicle within an acceptable distance. During emergency braking, however, you may be surprised by the resistance of the pedal and the lack of feedback that it transmits.

The intermediate category is gaining momentum and we’ve seen many of its big players treated to a complete overhaul in the last two years, including: the Mazda6, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. Not to mention the Subaru Legacy, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. The 6’s biggest rival is definitely the accord. The Camry isn’t shabby either. But the Mazda6, that’s one heck of a car!