2004 Mazda6 Sedan

Now in its second year of production, the Mazda6 returns for 2004 as a serious challenger to midsize volume leaders such as Toyota Camry and Honda Accord and sporty competition like the Acura TSX, Volkwagen Passat and Nissan Altima.

Mazda's stylists and engineers completely redesigned the 626?and this car has the hardware it needs to compete.

When you think of the Mazda6, think Japanese BMW, or perhaps more accurately, Japanese Audi. Mazda's planners have given this new-for-'03 car enough personality, performance, features and verve to carve a chunk out of the class leaders. Mazda's made its new 6 a far less compromised performance machine. Not so biased as to turn off people who want a family 4-door, but appealing to those who want their sedans with personality and the ability to back up a sporty appearance with true corner-carving talent.


This car has the hardware it needs to do the job: a seriously stiff chassis with fully independent suspension front and rear, big 11.1/11.0-inch 4-wheel disc brakes fore and aft, with ABS optional on the Mazda6i and standard on the V-6s, along with traction control and EBD (electronic brake distribution). A 5-speed manual transmission is available on both the 160 horsepower 4-cylinder variant and the lustier 220 hp V-6, plus power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with precise on-center feel, fast turn-in and a sporty response.


The seats are excellent, with plenty of rear and lateral support for quick cornering. Topped with a handsome chromed ball, the manual shifter works as well as a good cable system can; and the 5-speed automatic (on the V-6; the four has a 4-speed automatic) can be operated manually with a crisp, short throw reminiscent of Porsche's Tiptronic system. The manual's top two gears are both overdrives, so you may wish to downshift to third for performance driving at medium speeds. Serious tires, optional 17-inch wheels (16-inch wheels with P205/60HR-16 radials are standard), big sway bars and firm but not annoying shock and spring settings make you realize immediately that considerable thought went into this new Mazda.

Inside, a T-shaped instrument panel, finished with a titanium-hued surface, looks like a part out of a Miata or an RX-7.

Mazda engineers take 'the soul of a sports car" slogan seriously. Over the years, the Miata and the RX-7 have proven conclusively that this company understands the components of performance. You sense that with the Mazda6 as well. Accordingly, whether you order the I-4 'i' or the V-6 's' model, there's a very high content level in both cars. They've done away with an entry-level stripper/rental fleet model, so there are simply two variants. If you buy either Mazda6, they're credible performers. If you opt for the bigger wheels and tires, they make a good thing even better. But even if you don't buy the option packages, you still won't be disappointed.