Test Drive: Mazda6 looks good, drives great
James R. Healey driving with new Mazda 6.(Photo: Erich Schlegel for USA TODAY)
AUSTIN -- Mazda, a tiny company in a land of auto industry giants, knows it must offer something special to survive against the Toyotas, Hondas, Fords and Volkswagens of the world.
Its MX-5 Miata (evaluated here last week) has been a signal of that: a pure, two-seat, convertible-top, rear-drive, affordable sports car that's unique in the market.
But small sales of specialty models can't cover the rent, and Mazda needs bigger players in larger segments. Thus, the makeover of its midsize Mazda6 sedan.
Judged by specifications, its direct rivals are the likes of Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Cruze, Nissan Altima.
Judged by driving feel, it has no direct rivals. Not that the 2014 Mazda6, on sale since last month, is an easy champion in that fierce field of highly competent sedans. Rather, it's the most palatable overall blend of sporty, comfortable and fuel-efficient.
Its styling gives it the most sex appeal, too.
A very brisk run through the Texas Hill Country around here left two very positive impressions:
Handling is commendable.
The Mazda6 gracefully saved the day a number of times when a corner was much sharper than even the alarmist road signs warned.
In those "oops" situations, just a little more steering and, bingo, a little more turning. No heavy understeer, no wrestling match with the squirming, squealing, almost-sliding of most family sedans in similar circumstances.
The 6 is a dancer.
Mazda's Skyactiv mojo seems on-target for good mileage.
We kicked the car hard, often using full-throttle, because the 2.5-liter engine is delightfully lively when spurred, and frequently using the manual-shift mode of the six-speed automatic to hold the lower gears. Good control in those very tight corners and thus more enjoyable driving and quicker acceleration from corner to corner.
All that, and the buggy was topping 30 mpg for a good while, finally finishing at 28.5 mpg.
Moderate drivers could wind up with eye-popping mileage for a midsize machine.
Skyactiv is Mazda's name for a suite of technologies intended to cut vehicle weight and improve engine efficiency.
Those can result in a twofer: Improve mileage while also improving Mazda's marquee attribute, a feeling of sporty agility.
Nothing about the 2014 Mazda6's behavior gives lie to those improvements.
Also on the good side:
Brakes respond promptly, and the pedal feels firm enough to give you confidence.
The electric power steering that is becoming the fuel-saving industry standard is well-tuned, leaving the car pointed dead-ahead when you wish, turning responsively when you work the wheel.
Interior trim is a return to the high-quality plastic surfaces that were a Mazda hallmark some years ago, then faded. Nice shapes and textures. The leather upholstery in the test car was especially supple and was perforated for ventilation.
Styling has a huge practical advantage, whether or not you go for the muscular front fenders and sweeping lines tapering to the back.
As part of what Mazda calls "cab rearward" design, it pulls the windshield pillars — the so-called A-pillars — back to be slightly more upright. That removes the blind spot caused by the location and angle of those pillars in most new cars these days. In the Mazda, you actually can see pedestrians entering the crosswalks.
Newly available premium features make you wonder what's the point of a "luxury" car. For enough money, you now can get radar cruise control (keeps you a set distance from the car in front), lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic braking at low speed to avoid rear-ending the car ahead, rear cross-traffic alert.
Within months, a feature will be added that puts a charge into a small power-storage device called a capacitor (smaller, lighter than a battery) when you coast and stop. That electricity then helps run electric accessories such as power steering and air conditioning. That lightens the charging load for the alternator, thus lessening drag on the engine that could cut mileage.
But there are disappointments:
Starting price of the midlevel Touring model, the one likely to be most popular, is up 4.7% from the 2013 to $25,290 with shipping.
Space shrinks a bit. Mazda's specifications show that passenger room edges down 2.1%; the trunk is cut a more noticeable 10.8%.
The powerful 3.7-liter V-6 optional on the 2013 is dropped; four-cylinder only for 2014. Mazda portrays the four-cylinder diesel coming the second half as the V-6 replacement.
The touch-screen/navigation display shrinks to 5.8 inches diagonally, from 7 inches in the 2013. Looks quite small from the driver's seat.
The push-button ignition, a handy feature that eliminates fishing for your keys, is hidden by the steering wheel and control stalk.
Skyactiv includes a goal of making each new model 220 pounds lighter than the old one. But the new Mazda6 is roughly 90 pounds lighter. Mazda says that's just in the U.S. version and that averaged across all models, all markets, the target's been hit.
Upsetting as they are, though, the Mazda6's disappointments pale to near-irrelevance romping through the Hill Country.
About the Mazda6
What? Overhaul of midsize, four-door, front-drive sedan, emphasizing style and using Mazda's Skyactiv technology to make new models lighter, engines more efficient.
When? On sale since January.
Where? Made at Hofu, Japan.
How much? Base Sport with six-speed manual transmission starts at $21,675, including $795 shipping.
The model most people will buy, midlevel Touring with six-speed automatic, starts at $25,290. A top-end Grand Touring with all factory options, $33,270.
Test car: $31,190 Grand Touring.
Diesel version due in second half will be priced higher than comparable gasoline models, but Mazda won't say yet how much.
What makes it go? No more optional V-6. Only engine now is 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder rated 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm, 185 pounds-feet of torque at 3,250 rpm.
Power ratings for the coming 2.2-liter diesel not yet specified.
How big? Nearly identical outside to Honda Accord, slightly smaller interior and trunk than Accord, and slightly smaller than the previous Mazda6. The 2014 Mazda6 is 191.5 inches long, 72.4 in. wide, 57.1 in. tall on a 111.4-in. wheelbase. Weighs 3,183 to 3,232 lbs. Passenger space, 99.7 cu. ft. Trunk, 14.8 cu. ft.
Turning circle diameter, 36.7 ft.
How thirsty? Automatic rated 26 miles per gallon in town, 38 highway, 30 in city/highway mix. Manual: 25/37/29.
Trip computer in Grand Touring test car with automatic showed 28.5 mpg (3.51 gallons per 100 miles) with frequent wide-open throttle and use of manual mode for better control (more fun) in Texas Hill Country.
Burns regular, holds 16.4 gal.
Overall: A joy.
VIDEO: A tour of the Mazda6 with James R. Healey: