Our Full Review
By 
Marty Padgett, Executive Editor
Mazda zoom-zoomed into Frankfurt with its second-generation Mazda6 sedan and wagon (shown here in European trim-the U.S. version hasn't been shown). Decidedly more stylish and sporty than other, generally conservative Japanese entries into the mid-size market, the new model is slightly longer and larger, overall, but it’s also notably lighter than the old Mazda6. The original Mazda6 really kicked off the whole zoom-zoom theme, not just as an advertising slogan, but with a more sporty, stand-out look that has helped kick-start Mazda sales around the world (notably, its global profits have increased more than five-fold since the midsize model’s debut). The new car is an example of Mazda’s focus on “kizuna,” which translates into a “strong, emotional commitment.” While we’ll have to wait awhile to see what that means on the road, the second-generation Mazda6 is visually striking and features an array of upscale ...
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Comments (1 total):
Mr.
Lou | Posted: 10/6/2008
Having read more reviews all around the internet of the North American version of the 2009 Mazda 6, I have to say as an auto-enthusiast that I'm disappointed. I'm sure that the new 6 is a better car in every way by the numbers than the current model, and that Mazda will sell a lot of them, and they succeeded in what they set out to do, but to me, the current 6's appeal is that it's NOT the same size/category as the Accord/Camry/Fusion/Altima crowd. I wanted a car that was smallish, but had 4 doors, and FWD and nimble and sporty, not a family hauler. I think of the current 6 as a value-conscious alternative to a BMW 3-series, which I could afford, but prefer not to spend that kind of money on a car right now. I also think the current 6's styling is more distinctive and sporty. I have a 2006 Grand Sport sedan with the V6 and the 5-speed manual, but I cannot even get a manual with the V6 in the new model. Shame on Mazda. That's not zoom-zoom philosophy, that's Ford-think. If I'd wanted a vanilla V6 auto-trans family hauler that's a great value, I would have gotten a Fusion.
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