Fifty years ago, Mazda opened its doors to Canadians, starting operations in Vancouver.
At the time, you could pick up one of their sprightly little R100s for a listed $2,295, with the only real option being a radio.
I have it on good authority that there’s a collector of these little cars lurking in Deep Cove somewhere (if you’ve seen one out and about, send me a note!). However, a half-century on from those happy little econoboxes, Mazda is playing to a completely different crowd.
The current Mazda6 has been out for several years now, and it’s an absolute stunner. Even so, it took a while for Canadians to warm up to it. Mostly, we’ve been snapping up crossovers instead of family sedans, and while the ‘6 looked fast, it was equipped with only modest power. Economy-minded shoppers went for the more familiar Honda Accord. Those looking for highway passing power bought a Camry V6.
With this generation of the ‘6, Mazda has decided to give the people what they want: power. Equipped with a new turbocharged engine, the Mazda6 now has the go to match its looks. However, it’ll cost you a sight more than $2,295 plus optional radio. Let’s have a look to see if the ‘6 is a worthy way to celebrate Mazda’s 50th.
Design
Luxury manufacturers could stand to take lessons from Mazda’s design team. Have you seen the front end of the new Aston Martin Vantage? It’s a bit fishy. The Mazda6, on the other hand, is a great-looking machine.
Even the base GS is striking, but the GT version amps things up with standard LED headlights and unique taillights. The GT gets 19-inch alloys in a 225-series width – do be aware that you can run a 17-inch wheel for winter duties.
For a front-wheel-drive car with a transversely-mounted engine, the ‘6 has quite a long nose. That’s down to the packaging of the engine exhaust, but it has the effect of making it look like a more expensive car. A long nose and a short rear are classic design shorthand for sportiness, and from the outside, the ‘6 certainly looks like it wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury brand’s showroom.
Environment
However, on the inside the Mazda6 is up against some pretty stiff competition. The current Camry doesn’t have a particularly impressive cabin, but the updated Accord has clean styling and a fresh-looking infotainment system.
The Mazda’s advantage is how pared back and driver-centric everything is. The infotainment screen doesn’t dominate the interior, and the air-conditioning controls are tucked away as well.
The steering wheel has a good heft to it, and the new seats are comfortable without being over-bolstered. Rear seat room is ample, though perhaps not quite as good as with the Toyota.
The only fly in the ointment is the infotainment system, which functions perfectly well but is a generation behind in looks. Mazda’s done much in here to give the ‘6 a very high quality, well-blended look, but that screen up on the dash isn’t quite as slick as you might wish.
Performance
Happily, if the infotainment doesn’t impress, the Mazda6 brings you entertainment the old-fashioned way: by driving. Under that hood is a new 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower at 5,000 r.p.m. and 310 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 r.p.m.
That’s a lot of torque, and there’s more good news. If, as is likely with today’s gas prices, you’d rather fill your Mazda6 up with regular 87 octane fuel instead of premium-grade, you’ll lose a little horsepower. Suddenly, you now get 227 h.p., which is still not too shabby – the same as the old Subaru WRX.
However, the torque remains the same. For normal street speeds and highway onramps, that means the ‘6 drives with almost the same character as a diesel. There’s plenty of instant surge down low, and the slick six-speed automatic transmission makes the most of harnessing the low-end power.
Overall, it feels effortless, and stands in pretty stark contrast to Toyota’s V-6, which is fast but demands higher revs. Paired with the upscale exterior and high quality interior, the ‘6 feels targeted at a more mature driver.
But it still likes to play. For a family sedan, the ‘6 loves to dance, with great handling and nimble reaction to steering inputs. It’s not the outright pace that impresses, it’s how much fun it is to drive on a twisty road. There’s a bit of MX-5 DNA in here, and it works.
Features
At $27,000 to start, and $35,800 for the GT model, the ‘6 is priced competitively with an Accord or Camry, but doesn’t undercut either. The new engine does make the higher trim level much more attractive this year.
Official fuel economy is 10 litres/100 kilometres in the city, and 7.5 l/100 km on the highway. Mazdas are generally very good at returning realistic fuel economy figures, and real-world mileage over the week was spot on.
Green light
Great looks; smooth power; cleanly laid out interior.
Stop sign
Tire replacement will be expensive; turbo engine only on top model.
The Checkered Flag
A fitting flag-carrier for Mazda on its 50th birthday.
Competition
Honda Accord 2.0T ($32,890): The Honda Civic is Canada’s best-selling passenger car. When people outgrow it, they usually move up to an Accord. Well, actually, these days they more often buy a CR-V, but I digress.
The Accord is tough to beat these days. It handles very well, has plenty of power, is smooth and quiet on the road, and returns solid fuel economy. The interior is good enough to have Acura designers gnashing their teeth, and there’s even a manual transmission for the die-hards.
The Mazda’s a little prettier on the outside, but this is a close race. Happily, with its new turbo engine, the Mazda6 is now up to the challenge.
