2009 Mazda6 starting at $19,220

[genjy]

2009 Mazda6 starting at $19,220

• 2009 MAZDA6 sports sedan will start at $18,550 (+$670 destination charge) for a MAZDA6 i SV, equipped with a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

• Available 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, as used in the 2008 CX-9.

• Six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6).

Sauce and moar:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/15/2...ting-at-19-220

[eurohazard]

It looks nice. Ironically I see a lot of Saturn, Mercedes, and not-so-ironically RX-8 in it!

[BrickTamland]

I have a feeling this time around more people will choose the inline 4 over the V6, especially so because of the V6's lower-in-class fuel economy.

[genjy]

I think most enthusiasts would prefer the i4 version because of the manual transmission.

Plus, an i4 is usually easier and cheaper to modify than a v6.

I am hoping there will be a ~220HP turbo i4 to split the 100HP difference between the i4 and the v6.

[EldoFan]

What I find refreshing is that Mazda execs admitted in the latest issue of one of the big 3 auto mags, that they did admit to how bad they screwed up with the last iteration of the 6 and then how hard they worked to make sure this next gen. succeeded, which I think it will

[TheGeneral]

the 4 banger fuel economy isn't very good. 2009 Mazda6 21-30 2009 Malibu is at 22-33

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by TheGeneral

the 4 banger fuel economy isn't very good. 2009 Mazda6 21-30 2009 Malibu is at 22-33

The current Mazda6 is pretty small for the midsize car class and has a 2.3 liter 156 horsepower 4-cylinder, and is only rated for mileage 21/29.

The Mazda/Ford 4-banger architecture seems less efficient than the competition.

[vsd]

I like the exterior, but something about the design of the center stack, particularly the stereo, doesn't do it for me.

[Tone]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

The current Mazda6 is pretty small for the midsize car class and has a 2.3 liter 156 horsepower 4-cylinder, and is only rated for mileage 21/29.

The Mazda/Ford 4-banger architecture seems less efficient than the competition.

Based on my experiences with Mazda's I suspect it isn't the engine architecture that is the issue -- it's gearing. Mazda tends to gear more for performance, and particularly in-gear response, than just about any other make I've ever driven.

On the plus side, my 130 hp Protege always feels quick and responsive (a pretty decent feat considering the power-to-weight). But, 60 mph in fifth is almost 3000 rpm; 80 mph edges in at 4000. It's smooth, it seems happy and at 180,000 km (112,000 miles) the engine still runs well and doesn't burn excess oil. But, highway driving is a bit loud and it only gets decent, not exceptional, fuel economy for its size.

That said, I rarely downshift to pass on the highway ... it's a tradeoff.

If Mazda went for more relaxed gearing, I suspect its FE ratings would be a fair bit better. But, that kind of "zoom-zoom" is core to its brand, so I don't suspect it will.

[paul8488]

What does the G6 start at? I always see the G6, Mazda6, and Nissan Altima as competitors. Or at least they should be.

[johnstarnes]

A lovely car...and quite a fair price.

[Michael_S]

Tone,

Thanks for the insight. It makes sense, I've heard similar things about the Mazda 3 - gearing so that it's quite responsive for a four cylinder, but running at 3000+ RPMs at highway speeds.

[genjy]

Yeah. The current gen of Mazdas have pretty shorting gearing. Probably done for low-end power and responsiveness.

My Mazda5 does about ~3100RPM at 75mph.

Only if the car had a 6th gear... That's what I say to myself every time my car gets on the freeway.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by genjy

Yeah. The current gen of Mazdas have pretty shorting gearing. Probably done for low-end power and responsiveness.

My Mazda5 does about ~3100RPM at 75mph.

Only if the car had a 6th gear... That's what I say to myself every time my car gets on the freeway.

Well, your car has a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder pulling a 3300 pound (if I remember the specs for the Mazda5 right) compact minivan. I would bet that it needs to run at 3100 RPM at 75 mph or it would stall. It's a lot less aerodynamic and somewhat heavier than most other Ford and Mazda models with that 2.3 liter 4-cylinder.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Well, your car has a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder pulling a 3300 pound (if I remember the specs for the Mazda5 right) compact minivan. I would bet that it needs to run at 3100 RPM at 75 mph or it would stall. It's a lot less aerodynamic and somewhat heavier than most other Ford and Mazda models with that 2.3 liter 4-cylinder.

Probably. But from the natural feel of driving, I always reach for that non-existent 6th gear.

One of my cousins owns a manual Mazda5, too. He feels exactly the same way.