Background: The mid-size, front-wheel drive 626 represents Mazda's best-selling vehicle in the United States with sales estimates this year expected in the 85,000 to 90,000 range. The four-door 626 is built at a joint Mazda-Ford assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich. helping keep domestic vehicle content high. Ford Motor Co., which also assembles the new 1999 Mercury Cougar at the Flat Rock plant, owns a 33.4 percent stake in Mazda. Mazda sold more than 168,000 vehicles in the U.S. last year, the fourth most productive Asian automaker here behind Honda, Toyota and Nissan.
New for 98: The five-seat 626 boasts a roomier inside and includes more chrome nuances throughout its exterior. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) increase to 105.1 inches for the 1998 model year for smoother rides and enhanced handling. It also opens up more leg room in front and back. The car's total length is now stretched by 2.4 inches and width increases slightly.
Trim levels: Mazda's 626 comes in four trim levels; two four-cylinder and two six-cylinder versions. The two four cylinder models include the DX and LX while six-cylinder editions go by the LX V-6 and ES V-6 designations.
Safety features: Dual air bags, five-mile-per-hour impact bumpers, crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column and child rear-door locks come with all trim levels. Anti-lock brakes are standard in the two six-cylinder 626s (LX V-6 and ES V-6), while an option in LX editions. Traction control is standard in LX V-6 and ES V-6 models as is the keyless entry system.
Price: The higher one moves up the 626 trim level ladder, the higher the price tag. Entry-level DX models start at $15,550 while LX check in at $17,650. The two six-cylinder offerings are prices at $20,665 for the LX V-6 while the top-of-the-line ES V-6 includes a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $23,240. Mazda provided us with a manual transmissioned ES V6. With a $450 destination charge, the bottom line added up to $24,445.
Standard equipment: All trim levels include five-speed manual transmission with overdrive, intermittent wipers, power door mirrors, rear defogger, tilt steering wheel, rack-and pinion steering, variable assist power steering and rear-heat ducts. Cruise control, power window and door locks, and power remote trunk release buttons are standard fare in LX, LX V-6 and ES V-6 editions. Top-of-the-line ES V-6 adds six-way power driver's seat, power antenna and sliding glass moonroof as standard equipment.
Optional equipment: Four-speed automatic transmission is optional in all four trim levels. Air conditioning and compact disc with AM/FM radio are optional in DX, but standard in all other trim levels.
Interior: The ventilation system, right of the instrument panel, monitors from two dials and push buttons. The dials control temperature and fans speed while four buttons control fan direction. Our stereo system featuring a singe-feed compact disc player was below the climate controls. Two molded cup holders are positioned between the bucket seats ahead of a flip-top storage bin/arm rest. Also near by is a hand-operated parking brake. A circular trunk release button is found on the door in front of the map pocket. Flush interior door handles are very small. Headlights turn on and off from the turn signal stalk while windshield wipers operate from a right-hand side stalk. However, the dashboard-located rear window defogger button gets blocked from easy access by this stalk. The steering wheel is home to cruise control functions. One nifty feature is the dashboard's central oscillating vent, which automatically pivots back and forth blowing air in all directions throughout the car. The movement can also be shut off if desired.
Seating comfort: The top-of-the-line ES includes leather upholstery and six-way power driver's seat standard. Velour cloth upholstery is the norm in other trim levels. Even with the moonroof, headroom is plentiful in front and back. Backrests have a 60/40 split, making access to the trunk easier when transporting skis or other long items.
Engine: The base 2.0-liter, 16-valve, double overhead camshaft, in-line four-cylinder engine now produced 125 horsepower, up 10 percent from last year. The more powerful 2.5-liter dual overhead camshaft, 24-valve six-cylinder delivers 170 horsepower.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 105.1 inches Overall length: 186.8 inches Overall width: 69.3 inches Overall height: 55.1 inches Front headroom: 39.2 inches Curb weight: 2,994 pounds
Exterior: The 626 borrows many exterior styling cues from the full-size, luxurious Mazda Millenia sedan. The front grille includes chrome trim surrounding Mazda's new "M" logo sandwiched between headlights, which increase in size this year. Flush-mounted door handles are body color. Fourteen-inch all-season tires affix to 14-inch steel wheels in four-cylinder DX and LX editions. Larger fifteen-inch tires aluminum alloy wheels with all-season steel-belted radial tires dress up LX V 6 offerings. Our ES V 6 includes fifteen-inch steel wheels with aluminum alloy wheels with locks and all-season steel-belted radial tires. The ES-exclusive retracting radio antenna is found on the right rear fender. All trim levels include the following color choices: Glacier White, Sage Green Metallic, Black Onyx Clearcoat and Laser Red Metallic. Freeport Green Metallic, Driftwood Mica, Mojave Beige Mica, Burgundy Mica and Slate Blue Metallic come in all trim levels except DX.
Trunk: Cargo volume increases to 14.2 cubic feet this year, and offers more trunk space than Nissan Altima and Honda Accord. The spare tire houses in a well under the flat-floored trunk.
Fuel economy: Mileage estimates for six-cylinder 626s with manual transmission check in at 21 miles per gallon city and 27 m.p.g highway. The tank holds 16.9 gallons of fuel. Premium gasoline is recommended for six-cylinder powertrains while regular unleaded suffices in four-cylinder offerings. Six cylinder engines coupled with automatic transmission get one mile per gallon better in both city and highway cruising . The left-side fuel tank door does not lock.
Target audience: More women than men are potential 626 purchasers (55 percent women vs. 45 percent men.) Household income of buyers is in the $55,000 to $60,000 range while a majority will be college graduates employed professionally.
Final thoughts: Our five-speed manual transmission coupled with the six-cylinder powertrain provided peppy acceleration and passing punch. This new 626 is certainly a step up from earlier editions. Competition, plentiful in this mid-size, front-wheel drive segment, may provide the 626 with its biggest challenge. Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Ford Contour, Chrysler Cirrus and Toyota Corolla are all worthy competitors in a grouping that is finding sales harder to come by. The popularity of sport utilities of all sizes has taken its toll on these sedans. |