1996 Mazda 626

Mazda's new 626 has revised styling that might draw more attention to this above-average but often-overlooked sedan.

Mazda doesn't have the big promotion budgets of American rivals such as Ford and foreign competitors such as Toyota. Thus, many have bought, say, a Ford Contour or Toyota Camry instead of the 626, which is made on the same Detroit area assembly line as the Ford Probe sports coupe.

Most Japanese sedans have a bland feel because they're sold throughout the world and are designed to be ``inoffensive'' to a variety of customers.

Not so with the 626, which is priced from $15,495 to $22,795. This front-wheel-drive car feels much like a taut, rear-wheel-drive German sports sedan. Its highlights include crisp, precise power rack-and-pinion steering and a firm-but-supple suspension. Body roll is minimal in turns, and braking is quick and sure.

This is a ``driver's car,'' like a BMW--not surprising because Mazda takes chances and offers distinctive-feeling autos.

Of all Japanese automakers, only Mazda had the nerve to gamble that an updated copy of the classic British Lotus Elan sports car--the Miata--would be a success. Mazda's rotary-engine RX-7 is basically a race car for the street. And the automaker's Millenia luxury sedan offers an innovative Miller-cycle V-6, which has V-8 performance and V-6 fuel economy.

Base 626 models are powered by a strong 114-horsepower four-cylinder with double overhead camshafts and 16 valves. Higher-line models have a smooth 160-horsepower V-6, which also has dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder.

The $15,495 DX and $17,695 LX models get the 2-liter four-cylinder. The snappy, high-revving 2.5-liter aluminum V-6 is in the $19,895 LX V-6, which I recently tested, and also in the top-line $22,795 ES model.

While the four-cylinder 626 does 0-60 m.p.h. in a decent--but hardly neck-snapping--10.7 seconds, the V-6 models hit that speed in just 7.6 seconds and delivers impressive performance during high-speed merging and passing situations.

The four-cylinder's economy is a noteworthy EPA-estimated 26 m.p.g. in the city and 34 on highways with the standard, decent five-speed manual transmission. The numbers fall to 21 and 26 with the V-6 and manual.

A four-speed automatic is an $800 option for all models. It upshifts smoothly and downshifts crisply--but sometimes a bit harshly--and lowers fuel economy by a few miles per gallon both in the city and on open roads.

Another major option is an anti-lock brake system. It's standard for the ES and costs $900 for the LX and $800 for the LX V-6, which gets away with a cheaper anti-lock price because it has the four-wheel disc brake setup the anti-lock system requires.

No matter what engine or brake system, every 626 is well equipped, with items such as dual air bags, tilt steering column, dual outside mirrors and 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks. All 626s now meet 1997 side-impact standards.

Move up to the LX and added items include air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette and power windows, locks and outside mirrors.

Besides two extra cylinders, the LX V-6 adds larger alloy wheels and wider tires for better handling and braking, more insulation for a quieter interior and velour upholstery.

One drawback of the wider performance tires is that they cause too much interior noise when the car is on coarse pavement or bumpy roads.

The ES has anti-theft and remote keyless entry systems, besides items such as a power glass sunroof, leather seats, power driver's seat, heated outside mirrors and power antenna. Despite the revised front and rear styling, the 626 still has a rather generic appearance. But it's nicely painted and solidly built.

The front seats offer good lateral support in curves. The sport sedan instrumentation is easily read at a glance, and controls are within convenient reach.

Visibility is pretty good in all directions, although it's hard to see the trunk when parking. Four tall adults easily fit, although there isn't a lot of room to spare. Rear doors that are narrow at the bottom don't make it easy to get in and out of the back seat. But the roomy trunk is easy to load.

Can't afford a BMW? A Mazda 626 with a V-6 is an excellent substitute.