2018 Mazda 6

The flaunting looks of the Mazda6 carry the same design language this series has been sporting for years with just minor touch-ups here and there in the 2018 model. Let's see how it performs against the likes of the Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.

The Mazda6 offers a trim for every need and every customer. Mazda is offering 5 trims for the Mazda6 with price ranging from $21,950 to $34,750. The company is offering a trim at every $3,000 interval and for the first time, you also get an option of premium ‘Signature’ trim.

Unfortunately, there is only single engine option available i.e. a 2.5-Liter 4-cylinder that churns out 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The Mazda6 is a good car but for those who crave more power under the hood should look for another option.

From the safety aspect, we would have loved to see additional safety features in the base trim but those are reserved only in the higher priced variants of the Mazda6. Furthermore, the up-scaled cabin features are only noticeable in Grand Touring and above.

Trims	Sport	Touring	Grand Touring	Grand Touring Reserve	Signature
MSRP	$21,950	$25,700	$29,200	$31,700	$34,750
Features	17-inch alloy wheels Full power accessories A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, cloth upholstery Six-way manually adjustable front seats with lumbar support for the driver Rearview camera Mazda Connect infotainment system with voice control	Features of Sport Plus: 19-inch wheels Automatic headlights Automatic wipers Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert Forward collision mitigation Dual-zone automatic climate control Power driver seat adjustments.	Features of Sport Plus: LED fog lights Automatic high beams Rear trunk lid spoiler Forward collision warning Adaptive cruise control Lane keeping assistance system Steering-wheel-mounted paddles shifters Traffic sign reader with speed warnings	19" aluminum alloy wheels with a Brilliant Silver finish Front lower molding with a bright finish Leather-trimmed sport seats 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support 6-way power front passenger seat Ventilated front seats Driver's seat memory Heated rear seats Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with paddle shifters	Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with paddle shifters LED courtesy down lighting Nappa leather-trimmed sport seats Sen Wood door and dashboard trim inserts Ultrasuede door and dashboard trim inserts Black headliner 360º View Monitor Front and rear parking sensors

We Recommend

Strictly limited to a family sedan, the Grand Touring variant of Mazda Mazda6 would be an optimal purchase option, as the upgrades available in Grand Touring Reserve can be purchased as optional packages and still save some bucks.

However, you will have to go for the Reserve trim if you would like to have some luxury features in the cabin like Leather-trimmed sports seats, ventilated seats, and 8-way power driver's seat, and Blind Spot Monitoring.

"The 2.5-liter engine is powerful enough for most driving situations, especially when paired with the brand's SkyActiv-Drive automatic, which boasts crisp shifts that Mazda says are quicker than dual-clutch transmissions in competitors. Of course, in true Mazda fashion, the 6-speed stick is also a joy thanks to short throws and a predictable clutch."-Autotrader

Engine and Transmission

The Mazda6 comes with SkyActiv-G 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve engine and carries same Inline-4 configuration as found in most cars in this segment. The transmission is available as both 6-Speed Manual and 6-Speed Automatic but the Manual transmission is only available in the base variant. This beast is able to produce 187 horsepower while generating 186 lb.-ft of torque

Models	Mazda6 Touring	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
MSRP	$21,950	$22,555	$23,570	$23,495
Engine	SKYACTIV-G 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve	1.5L turbocharged DOHC 4-cylinder DI engine	1.5-liter turbo 4 cylinder	2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder DOHC 16-Valve
Transmission	6-Speed Manual	6-Speed Automatic	CVT Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Power	187 hp	160 hp	192 hp	203 hp
Torque	186 lb-ft	184 lb-ft	192 lb-ft	184 lb-ft

This car may not be as powerful as Toyota Camry but still performs better than the Chevrolet Malibu which produces only 160 hp. Overall, the Mazda6 is an amazing performer on highway roads and transmission complements it with quick shifts in gears. The powertrain only comes in Front Wheel Drive, while some competitors also give you an option of All Wheel Drive.

Acceleration

Hit the gas pedal and you will experience the power that the Mazda6 beholds in its engine. The car takes only 7.1 seconds to reach the 60 MPH mark from the standstill and 15.1 seconds for the quarter-mile run.

Models	Mazda6	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
0-60 MPH	7.1 sec	8.0 sec	7.3 sec	8.0 sec
Quarter mile	15.1 sec	14.3 sec	15.7 sec	16.2 sec
Engine	2.5L	1.5L	1.5L	2.5L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.5	5.9	5.3	5.2

The 2018 Mazda 6 does exceptionally well in acceleration, especially when compared to what Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have to offer. Same can be seen in the Quarter-Mile figures where Mazda 6 is just a notch behind Chevy Malibu.

Ride and Handling

The Mazda6 unarguably fares as a champ in this section with its precise suspension, responsive steering, and comfortable driver seat. The suspension is almost perfect for city scenarios as it turns graveled roads to silk and the well-weighted steering adds to its charm.

The suspension feels a bit firm when you opt for the 19-inch alloy wheels and they also tend to produce more road noise than the 17-inch alloys but then again you can’t neglect the sporty feel of the former.

The new Mazda 6 comes with G-Vector control which favors prompt turning of the sedan on the corners and maintains its stability electronically.

Braking

The Mazda 6 cover a distance of around 127 feet before coming to halt from cruising speed of 60 MPH. Although, this is not as good as the competition, however, the difference is not significant enough to change your purchase decision.

Model	Mazda 6 Touring	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
Brake front(in)	11.7	11.6	11.5	12.0
Brake Rear(in)	10.9	10.8	11.1	11.0
Curb weight(lbs)	3326	3086	3131	3241
60-0 MPH (ft.)	127	126	123	122

Toyota Camry houses the largest front brakes and similarly large rear brakes just 0.1-inch short of Honda Accord rear brakes and it also shows in the figures with Camry performing best in the class covering only 122 feet before coming to halt.

Even with an impressive performance, Mazda 6 is able to produce a fuel economy of 24 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. The technology package that comes with the Mazda 6 results in improved fuel economy because of better engine optimization but it only gives a slight advantage which does not make it worth the extra bucks.

Model	Mazda 6 Touring	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
MPG (city)	24	27	30	29
MPG (highway)	33	36	38	41
MPG (combined)	27	30	33	34

These stats do not seem bad but when you look from the perspective of a family sedan, Toyota Camry’s combined economy of 34 MPG easily overshadow the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. Similarly, Chevy Malibu and Honda Accord also show significantly better fuel economy than the Mazda.

"We look forward to using the next iteration of Mazda's entertainment system and the newly available digital gauge cluster. The car's swoopy lines don't affect ease of entry up front much, but they do for the rear seat. Once inside, passenger space is surprisingly good."-Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

This 5-seater comes with leather upholstery and even features Mazda’s iconic Japanese ‘Chidori’ stitching on the steering wheel. The driver seat and front seat come with 8-way and 6-way power adjustment respectively. The padding is ideal and you won’t feel tires on those long family rides.

The headroom and legroom are sufficient and even tall passengers won't face any problem having a nice time in the rear seats. However, the headroom on front seats could have been improved and these seats have to be further adjusted in case you need to fix a baby seat on the rear.

Model	Mazda 6 Touring	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft cube)	99.7	102.9	105.6	100.4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.4/55.9/42.2	39.1/58.5/42.0	39.5/58.3/42.3	38.3/57.7/42.1
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.1/55.1/38.7	37.5/57.1/38.1	37.3/56.5/40.4	38/55.7/38

Despite adequate exterior width, the shoulder room in both front and second rows in the Mazda 6 is a couple of inches less than what the rivals offer which makes the seating, especially in the rear, a little cramped but not to the level of being uncomfortable.

Infotainment System

The new Mazda comes with a 7” infotainment display and the heads-up projected display for driver acts as icing on the cake. Mazda 6 is also ideal for music lovers as you get to please your ears with Bose 10 speaker surround sound system which is not commonly seen in cars of this price segment.

But nothing is without flaws, as the navigation system on the MazdaConnect is agonizing to use. The software lags sometimes and the feedback is slow. To make matters worse, you do not get an option to upgrade to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, one thing which is required the most nowadays.

Interior Features

• Ventilated Front Seats
• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Distance Pacing with Traffic Stop-Go
• Rear AC Vents

Cargo Capacity

2018 Mazda 6 has an average cargo volume of 14.7 cubic feet which seems way less than Honda Accord which houses a 16.7 cubic feet trunk. Still, Mazda makes up for the lesser volume by providing a wide boot entry and also boot access from rear seats.

Model	Mazda 6 Touring	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
Trunk volume (ft. cube)	14.7	15.8	16.7	14.1

Mazda 6 fares better than Camry in boot volume but many other competitors like Honda Accord and Chevy Malibu provide more than decent trunk volume which is a necessity in a family sedan.

"The overall shape is sporty and athletic with voluptuous curves, a low roofline and a hunkered-down stance. Its long hood and muscular haunches add presence and give the Mazda the proportions of a more expensive luxury 4-door from BMW or Mercedes."-KelleyBlueBook

Dimension and Weight

Mazda has not made any drastic change to the Mazda 6 line-up for six years now and same is the case with the 2018 model but the design has been refreshed this time with bits of chrome additions and new LED headlights and tail lights.

Mazda 6 is one of the longer sedans in its segment at 192.7 inches and as wide as a Camry at 72.4 inches. The Mazda offers class-leading ground clearance at 6.5 inches which makes it ideal for those city rides.

Model	Mazda 6 Touring	Chevy Malibu (L)	Honda Accord (LX)	Toyota Camry (L)
curb weight(lbs)	3326	3086	3131	3241
Length(in)	192.7	193.8	192.2	192.1
Width(in)	72.4	73.0	73.3	72.4
Height(in)	57.1	57.6	57.1	56.9
Ground clearance(in)	6.5	6.1	5.8	5.7
Wheelbase(in)	111.4	111.4	111.4	111.2
Track width F/R (in)	62.4/62.0	62.6/62.5	63/63.4	63.0/63.2

Exterior Features

• LED Headlights with Auto Leveling
• 10-spoke Alloy wheels
• Quasi-Dual Stainless-Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher
• Front and Rear Anti-Roll Bars
• One-Touch Open/Close Sunroof

The Mazda 6 base trim comes equipped only with a rear-view camera as a safety feature which is pretty bad and you will have to consider an upper-level trim for more safety features. NHTSA’s overall 5-star rating and IIHS’ highest Crashworthiness rating of Good say everything about the attention Mazda has paid to the safety features in this sedan to make sure that you ride with your family with peace of mind.

Safety Ratings by NHTSA

The car received highest ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Overall Rating	5 Star
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	5 Star
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver	5 Star
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger	5 Star
Overall Side Crash Rating	5 Star
Overall Side Barrier Rating	5 Star
Side Barrier Rating Driver	5 Star
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat	5 Star
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Rating Frontside	5 Star
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Rating Rear side	5 Star
Rollover Rating	4 Star

Safety Ratings by IIHS

Crashworthiness

Small overlap front driver side	Good
Small overlap front passenger side	Good
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

Crash Avoidance & Mitigation

Front Crash Prevention

Superior

Safety Features

Some of the standard safety features include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS and Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Blind Spot Monitoring Blind Spot Sensor
• Smart City Brake Support Forward Collision and Rear Cross Traffic Alert Rear Collision
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Rear Child Safety Locks

Mazda6 vs Honda Accord

Both these Japanese sedans are neck-to-neck and you won’t go wrong with any of the two. However, your purchase decision will depend on your priorities as Mazda 6 is a better performer and is easier on the budget.

On the other hand, the Honda Accord gets a better interior cabin and is more fuel efficient than the Mazda. Honda also fares as a more reliable brand overall than Mazda.

Mazda6 vs Chevrolet Malibu

You cannot argue about the looks of Chevrolet Malibu. Malibu still remains one of the sportiest looking family sedans till date and you also get to choose from different robust engine options which the Mazda 6 lacks.

Even though you get advanced safety features in Malibu, these additions take the overall price of the car really high and that's where Mazda steps in. The Mazda 6, even after all bells and whistles remain light on your pocket.

Mazda6 vs Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry is no new name in the executive sedan segment and it has proven its worth over time. The Camry still remains one of the most popular choices among buyers and rightly so since it offers a great diversity of trims and is more spacious and comfortable in terms of seating.

The Mazda, though not as popular, still it stands neck-to-neck with the Camry and actually proves to be a better value for money than the latter. The top trim of Camry sure packs more features but Mazda's aggressive pricing lures you more.

The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 can easily be recognized as a midsize family sedan with interiors comparable to a luxury counterpart. The outside looks a little too familiar for 2018 but the interiors surpass your expectations. The performance is impressive, even better than most cars in the segment but you may have to compromise on the fuel economy.

All in all, this sedan packs a list of astounding features but a flaw accompanies it. Still, Mazda has done a great job keeping the price in limit and giving the best package you can get to make you feel your money well spent.