Pros and cons of the updated Mazda 6 sedan
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Advantages and disadvantages
Machine advantages
- Nice, modern, stylish design. Smooth shapes and a prestigious appearance that catches the eye in the city stream;
- Credibility, reliability;
- High level of security;
- Profitability;
- Ease, practicality in management;
- Good dynamics;
- High-quality, comfortable interior, which received good finishing materials and high-quality assembly;
- Large luggage compartment;
- Not bad even basic equipment;
- Quality suspension, excellent handling.
Disadvantages of the car Low ground clearance – an inconvenience in winter; Thin paintwork; Insufficient sound insulation; Sweating optics; The sloping roof is reflected in the headroom in the back row.
Safety
Mazda 6 is considered a safe car, as evidenced by the results of the crash test. The Japanese sedan protects the driver and front passenger with a 95 percent chance in the event of a frontal impact. For children seated in the back, this figure drops to 91%, which is also one of the best results on the market. However, during the crash test, experts found that the built-in security systems do not always work effectively. Moreover, the assistant to hold in the lane caused criticism, which was awarded 2 points out of four possible. The experts also drew attention to the fact that the design of the front of the body does not protect pedestrians at all in the event of a collision with them.
Weakness
The interior is the most vulnerable point of cars today, as gadget orientation changes them rapidly even as part of restyling. And here the age of the “Japanese woman” is already becoming apparent.
Let’s leave the retrogrades their love for the push-button unit of the audio system, let’s leave this miserable by today’s standards screen at the top of the center console. But analog devices … They are not excused even by a convenient, albeit ascetic, projection on the windshield.
The situation is saved by the sporty mood that the salon creates, thanks to which the obvious backwardness seems excusable. The landing is low, elastic front seats with a good profile and tenacious lateral support carefully “hug” passengers in corners, and the plump “donut” of the three-spoke steering wheel fits well in your hands.
At the back there is a comfortable sofa, an average space by the standards of the class and still a meager set of “goodies”, limited by heating and an armrest with cup holders. The two of us are cozy and comfortable here, but the Japanese sedan is not happy with the third passenger. This is expressed by the presence of an impressive size of the central tunnel.
In general, the interior of the Mazda 6 makes a good impression in terms of workmanship. The option with light or brown leather trim looks especially advantageous. The top of the front panel is soft, all controls, keys, buttons, levers are tactilely pleasant. But again, in some places the hard plastic of the finish is noticeable, and under pressure the casing of the central tunnel has a little backlash.
Mazda has no serious ergonomic miscalculations, but I will still note a couple of annoying little things. Firstly, there is still no central locking button in the cabin. To lock the car while in the cabin, you need to turn the latch on the driver’s door. In 2022! There are also no settings for closing the central lock at speed.
Even more annoying is the inability to close the sunroof and windows when the engine is already turned off. If you forgot to do this when you arrived at the parking lot, you will have to click on the start / stop button to turn on the ignition.
Technical filling
All technical characteristics of the car are quite standard for cars of this class. The dimensions of the “six” 2020 in the new body:
- length – 487 cm;
- height – 145 cm;
- wheelbase – 283 cm;
- clearance – 165 mm.
The base engine for the Mazda 6 is a 2-liter unit with a capacity of 150 horsepower.
Also presented is a 2.5-liter engine with a capacity of 194 horses. This engine is also naturally aspirated.
A turbocharged version with a volume of 2.5 liters and a power of 231 hp is also available. It is installed on the most expensive version of the Mazda 6 2020 model year.
Transmission is a six-speed automatic. The car itself is a five-seater front-wheel drive sedan. At official dealers, the car is already available for a test drive.
Engine
Mazda 6 2005 was equipped with gasoline engines – 1.8 120 hp, 2.0 141 hp. and 2.3 166 hp
Mazda MZR L8 power units are based on the F series of engines. A timing chain drive has appeared in the 1.8 engine, which increases the reliability of the unit. The design of the MZR LF 2.0 engine practically repeats the “younger” version, but the cylinder diameter is already 87.5 mm. On the Mazda 6 GG, the restyled two-liter engine received a variable valve timing system and became more powerful – 147 hp. With.
A 2.5-liter engine was installed on the Mazda 6 2010, which differs in the design of the gas distribution mechanism, intake system and attachments. It should be noted that these are one of the most reliable engines. With a high resource and low-cost maintenance.
Mazda 6 2013 received the latest gasoline engines with the highest compression ratio. SkyActiv-G 2.0, developed in 2011, replaced the MZR motors. SkyActiv has decent power characteristics without the use of supercharging – up to 165 hp, for our machines the power is “strangled” to 150 for the sake of tax payments. At the same time, the Mazda 6 sedan has become much more economical than its predecessor.
The 2014 Mazda 6 SkyActiv-G 2.5 engine received direct injection, a variable valve timing system on two shafts, hydraulic valve lifters and a lightweight connecting rod and piston group.
Updates Mazda 6 2015 did not affect the range of engines. The 2015 Mazda 6 SKYACTIVE-G 2.5 introduces the i-ELOOP system, which saves fuel by storing energy during braking.
Exterior
Style Mazda 6 2003 was developed by the famous designer M. Callum in 2001. The sporty and presentable appearance appealed to customers and became the design direction of the entire model range.
The restyled Mazda 6 of 2006 is distinguished by a chrome strip of the radiator grille and door handles, as well as front lighting.
The appearance of the second generation Mazda 6 has become even more aggressive and dynamic.
Exterior Mazda 6 2012 is made in accordance with the new concept of the brand “Soul of Motion”. The body is dominated by bright expressive lines that make it look like a predator frozen in a jump. In dynamics, this effect is further enhanced. This philosophy will be developed in the future Mazda 6 2019.
Fast and Quiet
Our Mazda 6 and also the CX-5 crossover are the only models in their segments with double front windows. And in terms of interior quality, they are second only to German brands, putting their Asian competitors on the shoulder blades. This is not an accident, but a clear work on the mistakes – at one time, the Mazda management adequately accepted the criticism of car owners and experts for the lack of sound insulation and creaky tarpaulin plastic in the cabin, which were hardly compensated for by excitement and bright exterior design.
Now Mazda cars are still bright and reckless, but now no one will blame them for the lack of sound insulation or the use of low-quality finishing materials.
In terms of bottom end power and torque, the 2.5-liter turbo engine is very good. Even if you go to the “half-pedal”, then the “fire” in the Japanese sedan is enough. And it is worth pressing the gas properly, as the “six” is transformed. Somewhere over three thousand revolutions, the 231-horsepower engine is very cheerfully lucky! With a spark! And the Skyactiv turbo four sounds great – with intensive acceleration, the cabin fills with a pleasant and juicy rumble. Let’s not forget about decent fuel consumption. Even in the urban cycle, it is easy to keep it within 9-
A six-speed automatic transmission is also tuned to match the engine. When the driver is not in a hurry, the “automatic” changes the steps gently and smoothly. But as soon as you need to accelerate, the automatic transmission is instantly rebuilt and starts to work faster. In this “quick-fire” mode, the gear shifts quickly and predictably and holds the stage to maintain the necessary portion of traction for acceleration.
Driving character – driving controllability. Even though with every new generation or restyling, engineers try to soften the suspension a little, Mazda6 still stands out with a sporty character that can increase the level of adrenaline in the blood of the driver. As a result, in terms of the ratio of controllability and smoothness, the “six” is one of the leaders in the class.
Despite the 19-inch wheels, which are required for the top trim levels, the Mazda6 is equally good at laying along a straight line and adequately fulfills various road small things. But to go around large pits with sharp edges obliges the diameter of alloy wheels with tires 225/45 R19. Or choose a simpler package – there are 17-inch wheels.
Otherwise, only positive emotions, excitement and drive. A cool-tuned electric power steering gives the “steering wheel” a well-chosen level of return, which allows you to intuitively know the angle of rotation of the front wheels even in extreme modes. A good combination of sharpness and precision allows you to get the same pleasure when changing lanes on a straight line and when attacking a bunch of turns on a winding road.
Is my overly enthusiastic opinion a bit biased due to my personal liking for the Mazda 6? This is true. It just arose a very long time ago due to the same handling and design, and in terms of emotions, the model is unlikely to be able to outdo even now.