2009 Mazda6

*Est. $18,550 to $28,465
Reviewed
April 2009
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2009 Mazda6

Pros
  • Fun to drive
  • Stylish and sporty
  • Very roomy
  • Powerful optional V-6 engine
Cons
  • No reliability history for new model
  • Fuel economy with V-6 isn't great
  • Interior design gets mixed reviews
 
 
 
 
 

"Fun" is the most common adjective used to describe the redesigned 2009 Mazda6. That alone would easily set it apart from most of the staid family-car crowd -- but reviews say the Mazda6 also offers refreshing good looks and "Texas-sized" passenger and cargo room, propelling it immediately to the head of the midsize sedan class.

"The Mazda6 proves that buying a practical family sedan does not have to be a five-year prison sentence of Kafkaesque driving," says William C. Montgomery at TheTruthAboutCars.com. He ranks the Mazda6 ahead of the formidable Honda Accord (*est. $20,905 to $28,955), Nissan Altima (*est. $19,900 to $29,380) and Toyota Camry (*est. $19,395 to $29,045) in a head-to-head test, saying it's the only one that can "put a genuine smile on a pistonhead's face."

Even with its base 170-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, Montgomery says the Mazda6 "feels like a two-year-old thoroughbred that wants to run," and Car and Driver calls it "the rowdy, spirited stud of the mid-size pack." But Edmunds.com calls the four-cylinder Mazda6 "tepid," preferring the optional 272-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 (it comes only with a six-speed automatic transmission). Unfortunately, the V-6 delivers only 20 mpg in mixed driving (17 city/25 highway), "which is about as bad as it gets in this segment," Edmunds.com notes.

That's why The Wall Street Journal's Jeff Sabatini recommends the four-cylinder version of the Mazda6. It delivers 23 mpg in combined driving with the six-speed manual transmission (20 city/29 highway) or 24 mpg with the five-speed automatic (21 city/30 highway), which is average for a family sedan. "Since you can get fully 20% better fuel economy by choosing the four-cylinder version, while saving nearly $3,000, it's an easy choice," Sabatini says. "Don't succumb to the red mist of horsepower: There's just no compelling reason to choose a six-cylinder engine in a midsize car."

For a midsize car, critics say the Mazda6 is impressively roomy. Its trunk is bigger than any other top family sedan's -- including the full-size Toyota Avalon (*est. $27,845 to $35,185) -- and 6-foot-plus testers fit in both the front and back seats with ease.  The extra space makes the new Mazda6 more competitive than the old one, according to reviewers. Most say it doesn't hurt the car's agility, but editors at Edmunds.com disagree, saying the Nissan Altima is now more fun to drive. Still, "While the amply proportioned 2009 Mazda 6 may no longer be the sportiest family sedan on the market, it has unquestionably become one of the best," Edmunds.com says.

The Mazda6 earns perfect scores in every government crash test. It's also the only top-rated family sedan to offer an optional blind-spot warning system, which beeps and flashes if the driver tries to change lanes while an object is in his or her blind spot. However, it comes only as part of a $1,610 Convenience Package, which also includes dual-zone air conditioning, Bluetooth calling, upgraded audio, xenon headlights, cloth/leather seats and more.

The Mazda6 seats five, with a 60/40 folding split rear bench. Seven trim levels are offered. The four Mazda6 i trims include the four-cylinder engine. The base Mazda6 i SV (*est. $18,550) omits keyless entry, floor mats, cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and an MP3 jack, all of which come standard on the Mazda6 i Sport (*est. $20,450). The Mazda6 i Touring (*est. $21,850) adds more standard features, including fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter and push-button ignition, plus the option to buy the aforementioned Convenience Package or moonroof/Bose audio package.

The Mazda6 i Grand Touring (*est. $25,110) makes the Convenience Package standard, adds heated leather seats, a HomeLink system that can operate your garage door and house lights, and a power driver's seat that recognizes your keyfob and automatically adjusts to your preferred seating position, plus the option to buy a navigation system. The Mazda6 s Sport (*est. $24,330), s Touring (*est. $25,360) and s Grand Touring (*est. $28,465) echo their i-model counterparts, only with the V-6 engine.

Reliability has been good for Mazdas in recent years, experts say, but they have not made predictions for this new model. The Mazda6 is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.

Critics have been eager to test the redesigned Mazda6 against the big-name family sedans; it's a contestant in head-to-head tests at Car and Driver, Cars.com and TheTruthAboutCars.com, not to mention Consumer Reports' always-excellent rankings. TheTruthAboutCars.com also analyzes the Mazda6 in an in-depth single-car review, as do Edmunds.com, The Wall Street Journal and Autobytel.com. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine includes only short blurbs with its extensive list of annual best-car picks, but it does provide some unique owner-cost data. A long-term test blog at Edmunds Inside Line is particularly valuable because few reviewers have any long-term experience with this brand-new model. Although the IIHS had not yet crash-tested the new Mazda6 when we checked, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had. The Environmental Protection Agency provides official fuel-economy data.

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Where To Buy

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports tests the whole field of family sedans, including both the four-cylinder and V-6 Mazda6. Experts here collect valuable data on everything from seat comfort to fuel economy, but because the Mazda6 is new for 2009, they have no data yet for reliability or owner satisfaction.

Review: Mazda6, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. Car and Driver

Tony Swan thoroughly tests three basic family sedans -- the four-cylinder, manual-transmission models of the new Ford Fusion, Mazda6 and Honda Accord. He finds even the least powerful version of the Mazda6 "the rowdy, spirited stud of the mid-size pack," but he awards first place to the more refined Accord.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion vs. Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Tony Swan, Apr. 2009

3. Cars.com

Cars.com tests and ranks three family sedans: the Honda Accord, Mazda6 and Toyota Camry. The Mazda6 wins the most categories, offering the best luggage room, warranty, style, safety and "driving fun," but it can't match the Honda Accord for fuel economy or value. The Accord is Cars.com's top pick.

Review: Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and David Thomas, Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and David Thomas, Jan. 2, 2009

4. TheTruthAboutCars.com

Mindful of the slow economy, William C. Montgomery chooses base four-cylinder cars for his latest Japanese family sedan comparison. The Mazda6 wins, beating the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Montgomery awards the Mazda6 a perfect five stars, saying it proves that a family sedan can be practical, stylish and fun to drive.

Review: Comparison Test/Review: First Place: 2009 Mazda 6i, William C. Montgomery, Oct. 30, 2008

5. TheTruthAboutCars.com

Unlike his colleague, TheTruthAboutCars.com's Michael Karesh awards the Mazda6 only four of five stars after a thorough test. He likes the car, but he's not as enthusiastic as other critics. He finds the four-cylinder engine's acceleration "uninspiring."

Review: 2009 Mazda6 Review, Michael Karesh, Sept. 8, 2008

6. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com thoroughly and critically tests the new Mazda6. Unlike other reviewers, testers here find the Mazda6 a bit less sporty than the Nissan Altima, although they say the Mazda is still one of the best sedans you can buy.

Review: 2009 Mazda Mazda6 Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

7. Edmunds Inside Line

This blog is constantly updated with staff impressions of the cars in Edmunds Inside Line's long-term test fleet, including the 2009 Mazda6. Brief entries (illustrated with photos) give quick information about topics like how well car seats fits and real-world fuel economy.

Review: Long-Term Road Test Blog: 2009 Mazda6 i Grand Touring, Editors of Edmunds Inside Line

8. SaferCar.gov

The Mazda6 is one of only two 2009 family sedans to earn perfect scores in all government safety tests -- frontal crash, side crash and rollover. The other is the Mercury Grand Marquis, which reviews say is outdated and actually lacks some common modern safety equipment.

Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov

9. FuelEconomy.gov

This chart shows how each version of the Mazda6 compares with dozens of other midsize cars in terms of fuel economy. You can click on each car for more detailed information.

Review: 2009 Midsize Cars, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

10. The Wall Street Journal

The bigger, roomier 2009 Mazda6 has "even more enthusiast appeal" than before, Jeff Sabatini concludes in this thoughtful review. He recommends the more fuel efficient and economical four-cylinder version over the V-6.

Review: A Sane Sedan for Seesaw Times, Jeff Sabatini, Nov. 25, 2008

11. Autobytel.com

This review of the 2009 Mazda6 is easy to read and packed with details that most shoppers will want to know. Writer Keith Buglewicz thoroughly tests the Mazda6 and comes to basically the same positive conclusions as other thoughtful critics. A tall editor helpfully evaluates the Mazda6's front and back legroom and finds it plentiful.

Review: Test Drive: 2009 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring, Keith Buglewicz

12. Kiplinger Personal Finance

Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine picks the best 2009 cars in a wide range of classes. The Mazda6 is judged the best new sedan in the $20,000 to $25,000 category. The very brief review includes some unique information, such as predicted service and insurance costs.

Review: Best Cars for 2009, Mark Solheim and Jessica L. Anderson, March 2009

Family Cars Runners Up:

2011 Honda Accord Base MSRP: $21,380 to $29,630

11 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2012 Ford Fusion Base MSRP: $19,850 to $29,000

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Ford Taurus Base MSRP: $25,555 to $38,155

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Avalon Base MSRP: $33,195 to $36,435

7 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Camry Base MSRP: $20,195 to $29,845

5 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Base MSRP: $21,975 to $27,165

5 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Subaru Legacy Base MSRP: $19,995 to $28,295

5 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Mazda6 Base MSRP: $19,990 to $29,320

4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Nissan Altima sedan Base MSRP: $20,410 to $25,430

3 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Buick Lucerne Base MSRP: $29,730 to $44,460

2 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Chevrolet Impala Base MSRP: $24,495 to $30,035

2 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Chrysler 300 Base MSRP: $27,170 to $40,320

2 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Car and Driver…

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