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- Fun to drive
- Stylish, sporty looks
- Powerful V6
- Roomy interior
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Some interior cheapness
- Thin long-term reliability data
- New base trim jumps in price
As a sporty alternative to staid family sedans, the 2011 Mazda6 catches critics' eyes – but its fuel economy and crash-test scores trail other cars in its class, including the top-rated 2011 Hyundai Sonata (Base MSRP: $19,395 to $27,245). The Mazda6 hasn't changed much since its 2009 redesign (see our full analysis of the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 (*Est. $18,550 to $28,465) for more information), although the 2011 model does get a few tweaks: The base SV trim is gone, and you can no longer get a manual transmission on the Touring trim. Mazda has also switched a few features among trim levels.
For best fuel economy, pick the four-cylinder
Fuel economy gets a slight boost this year. Four-cylinder Mazda6s deliver an estimated 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined when equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission drops fuel economy by 1 mpg all around. Fuel economy drops significantly with the optional 3.7-liter V-6, down to 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway/21 mpg combined.
Competitors fare better in independent crash tests
Safety scores for the 2011 Mazda6 trail behind the class leaders. In crash tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Mazda6 earns the highest rating of "good" for front and side crash protection, but only "acceptable" for rollover roof strength and "marginal" for rear crash protection. Federal crash tests had not been completed for the 2011 Mazda6 when we checked, although it does post a perfect 5-star rating for rollover resistance. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control and front, front-side and curtain airbags.
The cost of entry for a 2011 Mazda6 has risen by almost $1,400 this year, thanks to the demise of the base SV trim. Base MSRP ranges from $19,990 for the Mazda6 i Sport to $29,320 for the Mazda6 s Grand Touring.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com enumerates the minor changes the Mazda6 gets for 2011. Editors say it's a roomy, sportier alternative to other family sedans, although its fuel economy lags behind the class leaders.
Review: 2011 Mazda Mazda6, Editors of Edmunds.com
2. IIHS.org
In independent crash tests here, the Mazda6's scores lag behind its rivals'. It gets the highest rating of "good" in front and side crash tests, but its ratings drop to "acceptable" for rollover roof strength and "marginal" for rear crash protection.
Review: Mazda6, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
3. SaferCar.gov
The 2011 Mazda6 has not yet been fully crash-tested under the federal government's tougher new standards. The only rating available at the time of this update was for rollover resistance, for which the Mazda6 gets a perfect 5 stars.
Review: 2011 Mazda Mazda6 4DR FWD, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
You'll find EPA fuel economy ratings here for most cars sold in the U.S. The 2011 Mazda6 delivers 21 to 25 mpg overall, depending on which powertrain you choose.
Review: 2011 Mazda6, U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency
The Mazda6 has seen very minor alterations since its 2009 redesign. Our full analysis of the 2009 model has links to several expert reviews of the Mazda6.
Review: 2009 Mazda6, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, April 2009
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