Quick Spin: 2014 Mazda6 i Sport, 6-speed manual

[nadepalma]

Quick Spin: 2014 Mazda6 i Sport
By Seyth Miersma
Posted Feb 1 2013

In an automotive landscape dominated by platform sharing, technology exchange and any number of other cross-fertilization/cost-saving/amortization exercises, it's actually pretty rare that we get to drive a new car that is as "all-new" as this, the 2014 Mazda6. With brand-spanking new Skyactiv architecture throughout – engine, transmission, body and chassis all included – this 6 represents a new era of flexible production and cutting edge running gear for the happily lithe car company.

We'll get right down to the meat of it: The manual transmission is far better than the average do-it-yourself gearbox in this segment. Throws of the gearlever are light, short, and easy to put home with confidence. The clutch pedal, similarly, is very low-effort, but with a broad catch point that's simple to operate in every driving situation we encountered. This isn't a hewn-from-billet shifting experience, naturally, but it is a manual transmission that can be used with satisfaction in spirited driving, or mindlessly on the shopping run. The transmission is just perfectly suited to the power delivery of the smooth 2.5-liter motor, too.

CONTINUE AT AUTOBLOG.COM

[Butz]

Can Mazda remain independent? I wonder how the small Japanese automakers remain profitable and well independent.

[tbirderic]

I hope for Mazda's sake it sells well.

[nadepalma]

Can Mazda remain independent? I wonder how the small Japanese automakers remain profitable and well independent.

I have a feeling that Fiat-Chrysler may ink some sort of a deal with them in the coming year. Right now Fiat has to concentrate on fully merging Fiat with Chrysler, but once that is done (and Marchionne makes a decision on where the company will be headquartered, etc), I can imagine that there will be some sort of tie-up between the two. I don't know if there will be some sort of cash-swap or if it will be a product agreement only, but it's likely to happen. Over the last two years the rumors on Mazda (and Volvo and Suzuki) seeking some sort of cooperation with Fiat-Chrysler have popped up too often for there to not be some real plans going on behidn the scenes.

Also, Fiat-Chrysler aside, remember that Mazda is looking to license their SkyActiv technology to any partners they can, plus they have a hybrid agreement with Toyota.

[Amphibian]

A turbo option would be all the more I'd ask. Source it from Ford maybe? Even the EB4 with "only" 240-250 horsepower would be more than enough for this light sedan.

I hope for Mazda's sake it sells well.

Me too.

[steve333]

It would be nice if GM could tie up with Mazda and get some spunk into their small car offerings.

[Bravada]

I drove the 6s (both diesel and gasoline, manual and automatic, sedan and wagon) on Saturday. I even started writing a long review but it got sucked into the bowels of Internet. At any rate, it has its shortcomings to my eyes, but it's a majorly fine car. I could see myself owning one if there were no more Saabs. It's certainly a much better proposition than a VW Passat (=standard fleet midsize car in Europe), and I hate to say it, but I liked the diesel-automatic sedan better than the Insignia, and certainly than the sluggish Malibu.

PS. I drove rather well-equipped cars and the photos from AutoBlog make me cry. Did anybody at Mazda think that the car is too good and they need to shoot themselves in the foot to make it a fairer contest? Really, with such looks, peformance and everything, as well as projected volumes due to Mazda's market outreach, they should be positioning the car as near-premium (as they do in Europe) rather than try to sell it on price.

[richmond2000]

I like the fact the entry 6 doesn't feel like a "POV PACK" car and I am happy that the "BASE" radio is DIN sized and I assume NOT integrated into the car so an aftermarket unit can be fitted which IMHO is a turn off with NON "my ford touch"/ MyLink optioned cars IE Cruze LS

[Stéphane Dumas]

It would be nice if GM could tie up with Mazda and get some spunk into their small car offerings.

GM's Australian branch Holden did a short stint with Mazda with the HJ Holden Premier sold as Mazda Roadpacer with a rotary under the hood.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/holden_...-12398614@N02/

[ponchoman49]

Where is the Zoom Zoom? 184 HP is entry level in today's mid size sedans. Malibu, Sonata/Optima and the Accord all have more std power and all other mid size rivals offer an optional turbo 4 or V6. The stick is nice but not nearly enough to make this a credible entry in the Zoom Zoom category.

[Butz]

PS. I drove rather well-equipped cars and the photos from AutoBlog make me cry. Did anybody at Mazda think that the car is too good and they need to shoot themselves in the foot to make it a fairer contest? Really, with such looks, peformance and everything, as well as projected volumes due to Mazda's market outreach, they should be positioning the car as near-premium (as they do in Europe) rather than try to sell it on price.

I wont pay premium money for a Mazda and I'm sure many feel the same.

[vanshmack]

If my wife and I were shopping for a midsized sedan in the mid-$20k price range, this is the car we would buy. Having sampled the major players in this segment, this Mazda would be the most likely candidate.

Mazda seems to exorcised the cheapness from the interior of this car, and has provided a large cabin that easily suits a family of 4. The exterior styling is much more mature than before and elevates Mazda out of also-ran status in this segment.

While the engine might not make one's heart race, having six-on-the-floor makes this a far more entertaining drive than a similar car with 100 more HP saddled with a slushbox automatic.

Time will tell if the general public discovers this gem of a car, but it definitely tops our list if we were shopping in this segment.

[obriend]

Where is the Zoom Zoom? 184 HP is entry level in today's mid size sedans. Malibu, Sonata/Optima and the Accord all have more std power and all other mid size rivals offer an optional turbo 4 or V6. The stick is nice but not nearly enough to make this a credible entry in the Zoom Zoom category.

Mazda's have never been about straight-line speed - it's about handling and fun-to-drive (like the Miata). One of the best cars I've ever driven was a friend's second-gen RX-7 (the one that kind of looked like a Porsche 928) - not especially fast but a great handling car and very fun-to-drive.

And remember, 184-hp in a Mazda 6 (which only weighs 3180 lbs - basically the same as a Chevrolet CRUZE!) means it's probably pretty peppy, especialy with a stick. I would definitely consider one of these (or a manual Fusion) in a few years as a DD, so when my kids reach driving age they will have a safe, midsize, economical older car - with a stick - to drive.

[G8tor]

It would be nice if GM could tie up with Mazda and get some spunk into their small car offerings.

Buy Mazda roll out a whole new rung of sporty cars......change the name to Pontiac. Driving excitement becomes Zoom Zoom Zoom.

[Bravada]

I wont pay premium money for a Mazda and I'm sure many feel the same.

Would you pay for a Mazda at all, though?