2016 Mazda MAZDA6 VIDEO REVIEW

2016 Mazda MAZDA6 VIDEO REVIEW by Auto Critic Steve Hammes

A re-sculpted front-end, new LED lighting, an updated interior, and numerous other enhancements greet Mazda’s flagship car for 2016. But, does that make it the best in the mainstream midsize class?

Though the Camry, Accord and Altima dominate sales, the MAZDA6 appeals to the nonconformist. With this car, you won’t see yourself coming and going, Mazda’s Soul of Motion styling is more arresting and it’s built by a company that prides itself on making a driver’s car.  Though the smaller MAZDA3 outsells it nearly 2-to-1, it’s the 6 that offers the full-fledged Mazda car experience.

This most recent iteration debuted in 2012 and now, it takes another step forward in refinement. Designers pushed the car’s KODO styling into a bolder and more elegant direction through the new front grille with Mazda’s updated signature wing design.  New front and rear LED lighting contributes to the air of distinction and provides luxury-level appeal.  And this new Titanium Flash Mica paint appropriately matches the darker color of the 19” wheels.  Combined, these updates take an already attractive car to the next level of beauty.

Open the door, and Mazda’s first use of off-white leather paired with black, soft-touch materials and metal accents continues the 6’s bolder nature. The shape of the instrument panel and floor console freshen the look, there’s a new electronic parking brake, the front and rear seating structures are more lavish and MAZDA Connect gets a larger 7” display.

Visually alluring and richer in quality, this is the range-topping MAZDA6 Grand Touring, priced from $31,015. Though you can’t get the stickshift on this trim, the 6-speed automatic with sport mode and paddle shifters encourages driver engagement with the 184-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder…the only engine available.  The SKYACTIV treatment Mazda applies here is a holistic approach to efficiency designed to forge oneness between car and driver – from the agile, weight saving chassis to the fuel-saving powertrain.  It delivers the Mazda connectedness one expects via dialed-in steering, prodigious grip from the Ultra High Performance Dunlops, and a body that plays smaller when the driving gets exciting.  It’s not a sports sedan but there is a perceptible edge to the drive that makes it a Mazda.  The ride is balanced and forgiving, staying true to the 6’s positioning.  But I wish there was another engine option – one with 200+ horsepower and one that sounds more cultivated.  Despite noise reduction efforts for 2016, the cabin is still a bit on the loud side and the coarse engine sounds are off-putting.  And my car’s 24mpg weekly average is particularly disappointing, seeing as how my tester is equipped with the optional i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system which buys this car an extra 1mpg in combined driving, rated at 32mpg.  It’s bundled as part of the GT Technology Package and is transparent in its operation.

The snug, yet comfortable front seats are a perfect match for the zoomier nature of this car and the updated center console elevates the look. But no amount of enlarging will save this lackluster infotainment system.

And this is my other major complaint about an otherwise enjoyable sedan; this system is non-competitive. Its touchscreen functionality stops working when the car starts moving and it just doesn’t possess the look or features of a car in this range.  On the other hand, this MAZDA6, priced at $33,515 as-tested, is chock full of goodies like a heads-up display, auto high beams with adaptive front lighting that bend in the direction of travel, rain sensing wipers, memory settings, smart cruise control, side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and collision avoidance that works at all speeds. Heated seats and an 11-speaker Bose sound system with Sat and HD radio round out the fully stocked feel.  The rear seats seem to be more real-world snug as compared with their competitors though still quite acceptable but there are no extras in the back, not even a USB port.

Your eyes will fall in love with it, your inner driver will appreciate it and the pricing for this loaded model will appeal to your wallet but this flagship Mazda can’t quite match Honda’s best. The MAZDA6 is a solid choice for individuals making their own identity.