2009 Mazda6

When we first tested the Mazda6, it was love at first drive. Finally a mid-size family sedan that got the chores done and was fun to drive, too. But, being on the small side hurt its chances against segment stalwarts Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Now Mazda is back with an all-new “6” that corrects the size issue, yet still promises the zoom-zoom that rivals lack. So, 2009 just may be the year of the “6.”

The new generation 2009 Mazda6 exudes a far more commanding presence both visually and on the road.  Wheelbase is up by 4.5 inches to 109.8, while overall length has stretched almost 7-inches to 193.7. That’s longer than a Camry but shorter than an Accord.

The Mazda6’s now dynamic sculpture is drawn straight from the RX-8 sports car. Sharply drawn headlamps angle down onto a single-bar grille, with a chiseled hood leading to a coupe-like roof. Short overhangs promise prowess as well as great interior space, all ending with a short rear deck and bright exhaust tips. Wheels measure 16, 17, or 18 inches.

Two all-new powertrains also make the 6 more competitive.  The Mazda6i uses a 2.5-liter I-4 with 170 horsepower - 14 more than before - and 167 pound-feet of torque.  But the 3.7-liter V6 in the Mazda6S is the real standout with 272 horsepower - an upshot of 60 - and 269 pound-feet of torque.

Gearboxes include a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder, and a 6-speed automatic for the V6.  The 6-speed auto uses the RX-8’s Active Adaptive Shift which selects preferred gear ratios for twisty roads.

But we drew a 4-cylinder automatic for our track test, and it did move well from 0 to 60 in 8.1 seconds. The quarter-mile took 16.4 seconds at 87 miles-per-hour. Quick off the line, the i4 was torquey and strong with more than adequate Zoom-Zoom for most owners.  Plus, it’s affordable to operate.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 21 city/30 highway.  We managed 25.5 miles-per-gallon on regular gas.  The four cylinder has an Energy Impact Score of 14.3 barrels of oil consumed per year, and a modest Carbon Footprint of 7.7 annual tons of CO2.

The 6’s stiffer chassis rides on new independent suspensions; double-wishbone in the front and multi-links in the rear, backed by standard Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control. Though our test Mazda6i Grand Touring felt solid and capable, it was family-car soft, pitching and rolling quite a bit through the cones. At higher speeds the grippy tires helped tighten things up a bit, allowing more of the brand’s “Zoom-Zoom” spirit to come through. Braking is defined by four-wheel discs with ABS.  Stops were stable and near fade-free, averaging an acceptable 127 feet from 60 to 0.

Inside, as expected, the Mazda6 has expanded to a true family-size cabin.  The sporting dash creates a cockpit feel highlighted by a classic motorcycle-style gauge cluster and exceptional functionality.

Our top-of-the-line “i” Grand Touring model came with a plethora of amenities including well-padded heated leather front buckets with 8-way power and memory for the driver.  Keyless entry with push-button start and dual-zone climate control.  Our car also had the optional “Moonroof and Bose” package, and a Blind Sport Monitoring system exclusive to the Grand Touring trim.

All Mazda6’s come with a full compliment of airbags. Even with a swoopy roof, the rear seat accommodates three adults easily. It also splits and folds 60/40 just like others in its class. Trunk space is up 10% to 16.6 cubic feet, more than direct rivals. With 5 trim levels, prices cover a wide range, from a modest $19,220 for the Mazda6i SV, to $28,930 for the top drawer S Grand Touring.

We think mainstream mid-size sedan buyers will find the new 2009 Mazda6 a huge improvement. Its dynamic looks are backed by meaningful boost in power, and interior room is no longer an issue. Enthusiasts will find a bit less of the brand’s sporting character than before, yet it remains more of a driver’s car than the competition. That makes the new “6” a winning number for us.