A REAL GEM!
IF YOU APPRECIATE A REWARDING DRIVE AND GREAT CRAFTSMANSHIP, THE 2018 MAZDA6 IS FOR YOU.
VERNON, B.C. • One of the great mysteries of the automotive world is why the Mazda6 front-drive mid-size family sedan doesn’t command a larger share of the market. It surely is a lovely thing to behold, both inside and out, and gosh knows the auto-writing community has been singing its dynamic praises for long enough. You can’t argue with the Mazda6’s fuel economy or pricing, either.
The only things possibly holding back this Mazda sedan were its slightly coarse 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, a firm is hr idea nd not-quite-class competitive noise-vibration harshness( NV H) levels. Oh, and the fact that it wasn’t a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion — the go-to juggernauts of the segment.
A significant refresh gives the 2018 Mazda6 more muscle, both literally and figuratively. Key to this is an available 2.5-L turbocharged four (lifted from the Mazda CX-9 seven-seat crossover) that produces 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, along with improved chassis refinement. Factor in tweaked styling and an even more upscale cabin and you have a Mazda6 poised to leapfrog the competitors in both power and elevated quality.
The carry-over 187-hp, 186 lb-ft 2.5-L naturally aspirated engine now gets cylinder deactivation, and a six-speed automatic is the sole transmission with both engines. For the handful who might have wanted their Mazda6 with a six-speed manual transmission, that is now off the menu in Canada.
Mazda has not messed with the 6’s purity of line. While most Japanese automakers seem to be embarking on a stylistic tangent where no crease is one too many, and no grille is too big or too gaudy, Mazda designers stay true to the Kodo design ethos. Okay, they have made the 6’s grille a bit bigger and filled it with a sculpted mesh insert, but it’s a classy re-do, and along with its new aggressive fascia and standard adaptive LED headlights with a slash of chrome beneath, the sedan presents a more purposeful visage.
Other exterior changes include new wheel designs (17-inch standard, 19-inch available) and a recontoured rear end with LED tail lights and larger exhaust outlets.
The Mazda6 already had arguably the classiest cabin in the segment, but things get better for 2018. Mazda says only the steering wheel and some small trim pieces are carried over. So we’re presented with a new dash featuring a layered, horizontal architecture that flows into the doors. It’s all very simple, elegant and finely crafted. Look closely and you’ll see some exquisite detailing, such as the thin strip of satin chrome that appears to twist as it frames the air vents. This bit of artistic whimsy is echoed in the delicate chrome spear door releases. The seats are a new design and the infotainment screen increases to eight inches from last year’s seven inches.
Arriving in dealerships now, the 2018 Mazda6 gets a simplified lineup. The base model is the $27,000 GS with fabric seats, 187-hp 2.5-L engine, 17-inch alloys, heated seats both front and rear, auto dual-zone climate, LED headlights, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, Smart City Brake Support and more. The core-model GS-L at $31,600 adds moonroof, leather, heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, wiper de-icer, and iAc-tivsense safety suite (adaptive cruise with stop and go, collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, lanedeparture warning, lane-keep assist, front-obstruction warning, distance warning and auto high beam). The 2.5-L turbo engine is a $2,000 upgrade. Next up is the $35,800 GT with standard turbo power, 19-inch wheels, navigation, auto-dimming mirrors, ventilated front seats, Bose audio, signature lighting, head-up display and SiruisXM.
The $38,800 Signature Package represents new territory for the Mazda6. This no-option top-tier model dips its toes in the near-luxury pool, serving up such niceties as Nappa leather, satin wood trim, Ultrasuede lower dash and door panels, 360-degree monitor, special interior and exterior trims, front and rear parking sensors, and more.
At this event, we drove both the GS-L with 187-hp 2.5-L naturally aspirated four-cylinder and the top Signature Grade with force-fed 2.5-L engine. The base 2.5 L is certainly adequate, but the turbo 2.5-L engine is quieter, smoother, and gives the 6 an impressive turn of speed. Turbo lag? Non-existent. Out on these winding roads around Vernon, the Mazda6’s dynamic excellence comes into sharp focus. Mazda cites changes to the dampers, bushings, steering gear, subframe rigidity and suspension geometry. The electric steering is nicely weighted, accurate and transmits a decent amount of feedback from the front tires. There’s a real dynamic cohesiveness to this sedan, inspiring confidence with its alert response and excellent body control.
Basic ergonomics are good, showing a fine driving position, clear gauge cluster and logical HVAC controls. However, I’ve never been a big fan of the Mazda Connect infotainment system. A central rotary controller on the console is the gateway to accessing most functions, but there’s a lot of distracting just to find and select something as rudimentary as radio presets. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available, but will be later in the year.
The litany of tweaks Mazda has imposed on the 6 to improve NVH appears almost endless: thicker windshield and front-side glass, better door sealing, new tires, stiffer wheels, thicker floor metal, additional insulation just about everywhere, redesigned mirrors and windshield wipers. The result is a commendably serene cabin.
With shoppers making the rush to crossovers, the family sedan segment is shrinking. But that’s not scaring Mazda. This relatively small Japanese automaker has sweated the details with its flagship-sedan refresh, broadening its appeal with turbo power and elevated luxury. For those who appreciate a more rewarding drive, along with uncommon craftsmanship, the 2018 Mazda6 is a gem.