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Affordable Sedan
Mazda 6 Delivers as a Low-Cost Alternative Review by Brian West
M
azda has been churning out cars available in the U.S. for a few decades now. Although Mazda seems to have lost some of the momentum of the late 80s and early 90s from its flagship sports car, the RX-7, their lineup today is solid and poised for a comeback with a targeted and tighter marketing demographic. Today, Mazda only offers seven different models in the U.S., and the Mazda 6 is right in the middle of the lineup.
ergonomically sound. The dials and gauges are exactly where the driver would want them and everything takes minimal effort to access which helps keep the driver focused on the road…when not catching up on the Internet from a smart phone. (Come on. It’s just a joke.) Personally, I love that the speedometer is in the center of the dash. I can’t understand why so many other manufacturers struggle with this. It’s the single most important stat to the driver. It goes in the center and should always be The Mazda 6 is a 4-door sedan. The sides larger than the others. Mazda got it right. are loaded with character lines. The front end seems wide in comparison to the rest The seating is comfortable, and seems to of the body, but overall it’s a good exterior. wrap around the driver. If you’re going to Apparently, the designers were trying to be sitting in the rear, you better not be very give the Mazda 6 the look of a crouching tall, or be sitting behind a tall driver. Now animal ready to spring on its prey. I don’t don’t get me wrong. There is room in the know if they accomplished their goal, but I back seat, just not a lot. like it. The Mazda 6 is also the first Mazda to incorporate LEDs and a halo ring into Driving the Mazda 6 is fun. The throttle the headlamps, which is good for Mazda response is good and the engine delivers because it instantly gives the impression of enough torque that you never find yourself a higher-market vehicle. wanting or needing more power. It handles well. Steering takes little effort. It’s just Under the hood, you’ll find Mazda’s comfortable and fun. I was impressed with Skyactiv Technology 2.5L power plant. This how quiet the engine is. Unless you’re just engine delivers 189hp, which isn’t much stomping on the gas—which I had to do a when compared to almost anything on the little of for the sake of the review—engine road these days, but it delivers. This engine noise is almost non-existent. is loaded with torque, making the 6-speed transmission a lot of fun for the driver. If Overall, the Mazda 6 is a great 4-door you should opt for the manual transmission, sedan for the money. Starting in the low you’re in luck. The new transmission was 20s, Mazda has priced it right, but they have designed after the one used for the Miata. stiff competition with Kia and Volkswagen. If you haven’t had that experience, the If you’re looking for the Mazda 6, visit the gearbox is incredibly smooth and quick. Lakeland Automall and tell them you read about it in Focus Magazine. The interior is what you’d expect from Mazda. All of the instrumentation is foCUS Magazine Plant City april 2013
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