2004 Mazda6 Sedan

Mazda's five-point grille heralds a restyled car that's nearly as big as the recently enlarged Camry and Accord—and it's surprisingly roomy inside, where you need the space. The trunk is 15.2 cubic feet, the largest in the class. Rear legroom is a bit shy of Honda's and Toyota's, and the Mazda6's rear door is slightly smaller, but everything else is comparable. The Mazda6's sleek body resembles that of a buffed gymnast in a tight shirt. You can see muscular curvature in the way the sheetmetal is closely formed over the car's mechanicals. From the distinctive 'flying M' grille, a pair of strakes rush rearwards, wrapping the cabin and extending around the beltline to the trunk. All models have dual exhaust tips with big chromed tips—another performance cue that tells you this car means business.


As part of the Sports package, there's an optional CHMSL-carrying spoiler which, to my mind 'spoils' the appearance a bit, but Mazda engineers hasten to advise it actually improves Cd and down-force a few percentage points. And, they insist, "the North American market wants" this distinctive feature. The Sports package includes a front air dam, 17-inch 5-spoke cast alloy wheels with 215/50VR all-season radials, clear-lens halogen foglamps centered in the headlight clusters, side sill extensions and a rear apron. Included are red-illuminated Optitron gauges that light dramatically when you turn the key. Mazda claims steering response is sharpened at high speeds with the performance package.


Inside, a T-shaped instrument panel, finished with a titanium-hued surface, looks like a part out of a Miata or an RX-7. The sporty steering wheel (featuring redundant sound system volume and tuning controls, along with cruise control switches) easily tilts and telescopes with a single control lever. Controls are easy-to-use, conveniently located and neatly integrated. The overall feel is one of quality thanks to well-chosen plastic surfaces and neatly stitched leather accents. An optional Comfort Package includes heated front seats and door mirrors, and requires the leather interior.

A 5-speed manual transmission is available on both the 160 horsepower 4-cylinder variant and the lustier 220 hp V-6.

The 220 horsepower V-6 is based on Ford's aluminum Duratec engine found in the Mondeo, Taurus and Jaguar X-Type, but Mazda's engineers reportedly designed the valvetrain their way for better response and high revs. Variable valve timing is an included feature, optimizing economy and power. A lower girdle assembly aligns the main bearing caps and frames the lower end with side stiffening rails. Accessories are mounted to the block or the heads to prevent unnecessary noise and vibration. The cylinder head covers are cast-magnesium. All-of-a-piece, the V-6 revs merrily and seamlessly with a metallic whir any red-blooded enthusiast will love to hear again and again. Despite a high 10.0:1 compression ratio, clever cylinder head and combustion chamber design permits use of 87RON octane with no power-sapping losses. The Mazda6 in both iterations is ULEV certified in California and LEV in all other states; 27 mpg is achievable at highway speeds. Nice to have your cake and eat it too.


Mazda is Ford Motor Company's designated small-engine leader and the 160-hp twin-cam I-4 shows why that decision was made. This engine too features an aluminum block and head, cast-iron cylinder liners for durability and balance shafts for smooth operation. We tested the 4-cylinder manual on an autocross course and were delighted with its quick response, torque-y acceleration and nimble feel. Steering is a selfish 2.54 turns lock-to-lock. Driving the V-6 briskly on Mulholland Drive and through the canyons of LA's Santa Monica mountains, we came away convinced that the Mazda6 has earned the right to call itself a sport sedan.