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| 2010 Mazda 6 i Touring, an AW Drivers Log: Posted: 24 Nov 2010 05:40 AM PST     
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I was relieved to see there's a four-cylinder in here because driving it I was thinking, "Man, this thing is a bit slow." This is a smooth four, and so is the six-speed manual transmission with nice, decently short throws. I assume the car gets terrific mileage for a midsize sedan, too. It's a good-looking car inside and out. The interior materials could use an upgrade, but the design is nice and the sticker price is a downright bargain, so I didn't expect an Audi or a Mercedes-Benz inside. The Mazda 6 is a spritely handler, probably the best in the midsize segment in my opinion. And again, that sticker price: It's a heck of a deal. EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: This is one great deal--$22K for a well-appointed, complete-package sedan in today's world is truly something special. There's no navigation, and the seats are merely a nice cloth, and that's only a four under the hood providing the motivation. The smooth-shifting manual six-speed gets the most out of that engine--if you're careful; you can work the gears to get the most zip out of the car without pushing the 2.5-liter four to the limit. Best of all, the powertrain comes wrapped in the solid Mazda 6 chassis and body, with good looks and sporty performance that makes it a winner no matter how much heat the engine is packing. I would recommend this car, as packaged, without hesitation. It's a screaming deal for anyone who needs good, solid transportation without giving up all the amenities. ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: What a nice change of pace in the normally drab midsize-sedan class. You can thank the composed chassis, tight suspension, quick steering response and, most of all, the six-speed manual transmission this test car is outfitted with. I'm pretty sure the take rate for manual gearboxes in this class is in the single-digit percentages, so cars like this are indeed a rare breed. It is disappointing that a manual isn't available with the V6 engine anymore as it was in the first-generation car, but the car is still rather spritely with the clutch pedal and four-cylinder engine. This 2.5-liter is pretty smooth and offers healthy pull throughout the revs. The aforementioned manual also has a nice, crisp shift action to it and an easy-to-operate clutch pedal. Even with the weight gain the car experienced between generations, the Mazda 6 remains the sportiest drive in this category. I've also grown to like the looks of the current 6 more and more over time. I remain a big fan of the original 6 and in the beginning thought the current car was a little bit too bubbly, but that's not the case now. Compared with the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima, it looks much sportier. There's a handsome interior in this car, too, with nice finishes and lots of soft-touch surfaces and appealing trim pieces throughout the cabin. The cloth seats are comfortable with good side support for a nice driving position. Controls for the climate and radio functions are big and easy to navigate and noise isolation is also noteworthy. What could Mazda do to make this car better? I think it should adopt the weight-saving steps Mazda have employed in the MX-5 and the Mazda 2 when developing the next 6 and bring back a turbocharged Mazdaspeed version. That would be pretty awesome. 2010 Mazda 6 i Touring Base Price: $21,800 As-Tested Price: $22,330 Drivetrain: 2.5-liter I4; FWD, six-speed manual Output: 170 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 167 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm Curb Weight: 3,258 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 23/23.9 mpg Options: Satellite radio ($430); floor/cargo mats ($100) |
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