This uniquely styled and sporty line of front-drive four-door sedans, hatchbacks and sport wagons gets several updates for '07. Anti-lock brakes, traction control and side-impact and curtain airbags are now standard on all trim levels. A new Value Edition has been added to the lineup; it gets many of the popular features found in the Sport model but at a lower price point. Rated output of the Mazda6's engines has changed slightly as well, reflecting changes in the way engine power is measured and reported. The standard 2.3 liter, four-cylinder engine, for example, is now rated at 156 horsepower versus 160 last year; the optional 3.0-liter V-6 is down to 212 horsepower from 220 previously. But the changes are "on paper" only and do not reflect any actual mechanical differences in these engines, '06 to '07. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard on the base model, with a four-speed automatic transmission available optionally; V-6s can be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. Front-side and side-curtain airbags are optional.
