The fully redesigned and re-engineered second generation Mazda6 arrived at Canadian dealerships in August. A real competitor, Mazda created the 2009 6 with the hope of kicking the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry out of the top sales spots in the mid-size family car market segment. If you’re in the market for a family car, the 2009 Mazda6 warrants your attention.
The most distinctive differences between the new 6 and its predecessors are size and style: It’s bigger and more luxurious. In every dimension, the 2009 Mazda6 is larger. It’s 195mm longer overall, 115mm longer in the wheelbase, and 60 mm wider. Those benefiting most from the amplified interior volume will be rear seat occupants, who will now enjoy copious leg and headroom.
Trunk space has also grown to 469 litres, 10 percent more capacity than the outgoing model. In case you can’t picture the size of the larger trunk, it is big enough to hold at least two fully grown male adults (hog-tied 1930s gangster-style). Or, if your teenagers borrow the car, they can cram three extra friends into the oversized compartment. (If you don’t think these ingenious adolescents won’t do that, think again!) Moreover, people, uh, luggage-carrying flexibility has improved thanks to a wider pass-through into the spilt-folding rear seat.
More impressive than the size improvements are the fit and finish of the Mazda6. Overtly, it is a classy-looking car highlighted by high-gloss accents and rich materials — definitely one of the nicest mid-size cars available in terms of upscale feel. The rich feel, however, is not reflected in the price: The Mazda6 starts at a manucfacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,495.
Now this is where things get complicated. The 2009 Mazda6 is available with a myriad of options. It comes in two trims: GS and GT; each is available with either the I4 (2.5-litre 4-cyclinder engine producing 170 horsepower) or the V6 (3.7-litre with 272 horsepower). The V6 is only available with five-speed automatic transmission, whereas the I4 comes with a six-speed manual transmission that can be upgraded to the five-speed automatic transmission for an additional $1,100. Customers have six basic options — not including the package selections.
The 2009 Mazda6 GS is fitted with numerous features that give it a competitive edge over other mid-sized vehicles. Even as a base model, it comes equipped with: 17-inch alloy wheels, power windows, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering with integrated cruise control and audio switches, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD with six speakers and MP3 capability, and illuminated vanity mirror for both front seats. You can enhance your GS by adding the Comfort Package for $1,695. It includes: rain-sensing wipers and moonroof, plus some other stuff. (The former are my favourite additional features on any vehicle; hence, the only ones worth mentioning.)
Buyers of the GT model receive a vehicle that is equipped with everything in the GS with Comfort package plus leather interior, heated front seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, LED taillights, auto-dimming mirrors, six-disc CD changer, Homelink and ambience lighting. The MSRP for the GT I4 sits at $27,395, and it’s $33,095 for the GT V6. GT buyers can upgrade to the Luxury Package for $1,840 for the I4 which includes: Smart keyless entry with push button starting, BOSE audio system, SIRIUS satellite radio, and HID headlights. The luxury package on the GT V6 is equipped with all of the above plus a blind spot monitoring system and a welcome foot light on exterior mirrors for MRSP $1,965.
Now that I’ve spewed forth most of the options, here comes the important question: How does it drive? The GS I4 with manual transmission is a gem. It has a seamlessly smooth clutch and shifter — nothing jarring it. The top of the line GT V6 is a bull, strong and silent. I did, however, find the gas pedal a little too responsive, making some starts a bit jerky.
With improvements in every area, the 2009 Mazda6 is going to be a top competitor in the mid-size sedan market, putting the Accord and Camry on the defensive.
If you’re having trouble figuring out what all of these features actually comprise, Angela Trimmer can be reached at atrimmer@womenspost.ca.
Image courtesy of autos.ca.
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