2004 Mazda MAZDA6 Review

The Mazda 6 is a family sports sedan that acts like a sports car. Ford Motor Co. is planning on using the car as the foundation for up to 10 of its 2006 and 2007 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln models.

If that's not a strong vote of confidence, I don't know what is.

Those models won't look or drive exactly like the Mazda 6 because Ford, which controls Mazda, designed lots of versatility into the Mazda 6 platform.

For instance the car's wheelbase (distance between axles) can be stretched and the track (distance between wheels on the same axle) can be stretched. Moreover, the Mazda 6 can handle two or three rows of seats, and the steering and suspension can be tuned for a sporty or luxury ride.

The Mazda 6 arrived as a 2003 model and is a big improvement over the 626 and Millenia models it replaced. The new car comes with a base four-cylinder engine, but offers a strong V-6, taut chassis and sporty appearance at roughly half the price of high-performance sedans from BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

What you don't get with the Mazda 6 is a name associated with world-class performance, although the car should be given some time to earn a reputation. It's quickly earning a good one: Mazda 6 sales through the first three months of this year rose to 15,448 units from 8,988 in the same 2003 period.

The Mazda 6 is contributing to this Japanese automaker's "zoom-zoom'' image, along with such new models as the smaller Mazda 3 sporty sedan/hatchback and RX-8 sports car with its unique rotary engine and four-door design.

With quick steering, sharp handling and strong braking, the front-drive Mazda 6 is fun to drive. And the ride is comfortable.

The Mazda 6 competes in both the compact and mid-size car market. There's a base "i'' sedan version with an advanced 2.3-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a $21,345 "s'' version with a sophisticated 3-liter 220-horsepower V-6.

A good five-speed manual transmission is standard for both engines. Optional are a four-speed automatic transmission for the four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic for the V-6. Both automatics have a separate gate for manual shifting.

The manual gearbox is needed with the four-cylinder for lively performance, but the V-6 has enough power and torque to easily handle either a manual or automatic.

Despite its sporty nature, the Mazda 6 provides solid fuel economy with the four-cylinder engine: an estimated 22-24 in the city and 29-32 on highways, with the manual gearbox providing the higher numbers.

The V-6 figures are 19 city, 27 highway with either transmission. I found it's easy to top 20 mpg by a few miles per gallon in the city by upshifting from first to third or even fourth gear with no protest from the high-torque V-6.

Even the base Mazda 6 i version is well equipped, with such items as air conditioning, tilt-telescoping wheel with radio controls, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, split-folding rear seat and power door locks (with remote keyless entry) windows and mirrors.

The higher-line V-6 s model adds such items as automatic climate control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and larger 17-inch (vs. 16-inch) tires on alloy wheels. Anti-lock brakes and traction control cost $400 for the i model.

Front side air bags with curtain side air bags are optional for the top-line s version at $450. But they require a $710 Sport package that contains sporty titanium-colored interior trim, body cladding, rear spoiler, dual exhaust outlets and fog lights. Also required is a $635 Bose audio package and $700 power sunroof.

In any case, you can get a $950 Security package for the i model that has the front side air bags, curtain side air bags, anti-lock brakes and a traction control system.

Some Mazda 6 buyers will just say to heck with all that and opt for the $1,500 Luxury package, which contains leather upholstery, a power driver's seat and heated front seats.

Four tall adults easily fit in the Mazda 6, which has a quiet, sporty, airy interior, although some plastic trim looks and feels cheap. It has strategically placed controls, a tidy three-spoke leather wheel, sports car gauges and door pockets that hold half-liter bottles. But some may feel that the supportive front bucket seats need a longer cushion, and audio controls need a simpler design.

The nicely shaped trunk is roomy and the lid has strut-type hinges that don't eat space. The flip-forward seatbacks significantly enlarge the cargo area but should sit flatter when folded down.

The Mazda 6 is more fun than rivals from larger automakers, besides being less expensive and just as practical.

2004 MAZDA 6

Prices
$18,750-$21,345

Likes
Sporty. Roomy. Fun to drive. Fast with V-6. Well-equipped.

Dislikes
Rather lazy with four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. Simpler audio controls needed.