by "mazda616" (mazda616)
Published 04/04/2017 at 11:02
by "mazda616" (mazda616)
Published 04/04/2017 at 11:02
Tags: Opinions are like assholes
STARS: 0
...internet commenters rant and rave about the “Mazda6 not having any powerrrrrr.”
That’s all.
"CB" (jrcb)
04/04/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 3
“But if it doesn’t hit sixty in under six seconds, it’s not fast enough!”
-The Internet
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/04/2017 at 11:09, STARS: 1
The problem is, IT DOESN’T HAVE AWD!!!
/s
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 1
Apparently one of those internet commenters is our own Tom McParland.
I agree that it doesn’t need any more power. However, the 6 in all other respects is now a premium car when spec’d for it. The only thing I see keeping it from breaking into that segment (besides brand image) is a higher power engine option. Not because it needs it, but because buyers expect it (even though they don’t have a use for the extra power).
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
04/04/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 1
If it were AWD, a Ford, and a Ford GT, it would be okay.
Wait this is a Mazda. The FP already worships the damn thing.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/04/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 0
Dat semi-colon use doe!
Edit: never mind. There’s just a spec on my screen that was placed perfectly to make a semi-colon.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 1
I think it came down to a business decision for Mazda. The Camry and Accord offer larger engines and about 3 people order them each year. So, they don’t make money. Mazda isn’t a giant corporation like Toyota or Honda, so they went with what’s more mainstream in the eyes of a family sedan buyer.
My main frustrations come from the fact that people act like the car doesn’t have enough power for daily driving, when it has more than enough. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds (with the automatic) and a governed top speed of 135 MPH is fine for a family car.
I can see Tom’s point to a certain extent. If you want a sports sedan for this budget, sure. Get a Regal GS. If you want a reliable family sedan that looks good and happens to be a bit sporty, a Mazda6 is an excellent choice.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 0
From what I’ve seen, Jalopnik writers (with the exception of Tom) like the 6 and like Mazda. But the commenters rush in to tell them all the reasons they are wrong.
"BigBlock440" (440-4bbl)
04/04/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 1
But it doesn’t. It’s got less power than a 15 year old Stratus, hardly something I’d call overpowered.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 11:21, STARS: 0
But have you driven one? In Car and Driver’s test, it was still quicker than the other four-cylinder sedans.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 11:21, STARS: 0
My biggest grip isn’t power, it’s the lack of wagon here.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 11:22, STARS: 0
I’d have 100% bought the wagon version if it was offered here.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 1
Agreed it was a business decision. Also agree with the frustration. Funny thing is, when people do get all the power they think they need, then we get killer mustang memes. My car doesn’t break 200hp, and it’s still a legitimate sports car that can keep up with anyone on the road.
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
04/04/2017 at 11:36, STARS: 0
Yeah the mazda 2.5 is impressive compared to other cars’ base model engines but I think people’s gripes is that lots of other cars in that category offer a V6 or a turbo 4 making 250-300hp.
I recommended a 6 to my dad when he was shopping. He got a Taurus instead.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
04/04/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 0
You should have bought a car that everyone agrees is great. LS400.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/04/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0
It’s fine enough among the other base engine 4-cylinder family sedans, all of which have remarkably similar engine options. Although some of them are moving to smaller displacement turbo motors which give more torque.
Chevrolet Malibu - 1.5 liter turbo, 160 hp, 184 lb/ft
Chrysler 200 - 2.4 liter, 184 hp, 173 lb/ft
Ford Fusion - 2.5 liter, 175 hp, 175 lb/ft
Ford Fusion - 1.5 liter turbo, 181 hp, 185 lb/ft
Honda Accord - 2.4 liter, 185 hp, 181 lb/ft
Hyundai Sonata - 2.4 liter, 185 hp, 178 lb/ft
Hyundai Sonata - 1.6 liter turbo, 178 hp, 195 lb/ft
Kia Optima - 2.4 liter, 185 hp, 178 lb/ft
Kia Optima - 1.6 liter turbo, 178 hp, 195 lb/ft
Mazda 6 - 2.5 liter, 184 hp, 185 lb/ft
Nissan Altima - 2.5 liter, 179 hp, 177 lb/ft
Subaru Legacy - 2.5 liter, 175 hp, 174 lb/ft
Toyota Camry - 2.5 liter, 178 hp, 170 lb/ft
Volkswagen Passat - 1.8 liter turbo, 170 hp, 184 lb/ft
People talk trash about the 6 not having enough power because Mazda markets itself as a performance brand but is the only car on this list that doesn’t offer a more powerful engine. Literally every other car here does.
Chevrolet Malibu - 2.0 liter turbo, 250 hp, 260 lb/ft
Chrysler 200 - 3.6 liter V6, 295 hp, 262 lb/ft
Ford Fusion - 2.0 liter turbo, 240 hp, 270 lb/ft
Ford Fusion - 2.7 liter twin turbo V6, 325 hp, 350 lb/ft
Honda Accord - 3.5 liter V6, 278 hp, 252 lb/ft
Hyundai Sonata - 2.0 liter turbo, 245 hp, 260 lb/ft
Kia Optima - 2.0 liter turbo, 245 hp, 260 lb/ft
Nissan Altima - 3.5 liter V6, 270 hp, 251 lb/ft
Subaru Legacy - 3.6 liter H6, 256 hp, 247 lb/ft
Toyota Camry - 3.5 liter V6, 268 hp, 248 lb/ft
Volkswagen Passat - 3.6 liter V6, 280 hp, 258 lb/ft
The more powerful engines are by no means popular options but gearhead internet commenters always want more power and driven wheels that aren’t the front ones. The 200, Fusion, and Passat offer awd and the Legacy has standard awd.
(The Fusion, Accord, Sonata, Optima and Camry also offer hybrid and/or plug-in versions that Mazda doesn’t, but our type of commenters don’t care about that.)
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 0
Exactly, that’s my only gripe and I dont get why they just wont give it to us.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 0
That’s a pretty low bar. Doesn’t Mazda have “driving excitement” as part of its branding? I remember the old “zoom zoom” ads they used to play all the time.
They used to offer a lot more HP in the 6. You could get 270 hp in the old MazdaSpeed6. The Non-MazdaSpeed versions had up to 212 hp. So they’re actually giving it less hp that the outgoing models. Unless they’re just holding out for a new MS6, I don’t see why they’re limiting it to the one engine choice.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 1
The stated 0-60 of 7.9s is about equal to what a 2006 Land Cruiser can do, which honestly is pretty pathetic. The car is gorgeous, but its looks are writing a check its powertrain can’t cash.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 0
Weight is everything though. If your car is less than 3,000 pounds, 200hp can be more than adequate. The Mazda 6 can be optioned to just shy of 3,600. Big difference.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 0
It’s not meant to be a sports sedan like a BMW or something. It’s just a family sedan that happens to be slightly sporty. Its focus has changed.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 12:24, STARS: 0
Since mazda616 drives one everyday, is an enthusiast, and vigorously asserts that it is not underpowered, I will trust his judgement.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 0
That’s the problem though. It looks at least as sporty as the old ones, but is now slower than the outgoing one. For that category, I would certainly expect it to have a V6 option with 250-300 hp to remain competitive. I commend them for keeping a manual option though. The Mazda 3 has the same engine, but weighs up to 500 pounds less. In this capacity, its a better match.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 12:30, STARS: 0
My RX-8's published curb weight is 3,111 pounds (I have the grand touring model in automatic). Its original published hp was 197. I suspect it is less now.
A quick Google search tells me the 6 weighs between 3,179 and 3,250. So, about the same range.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:33, STARS: 1
That’s fine. I just see that my 5,500 lb Land Cruiser has the same 0-60 as a “sporty” sedan. Seems off to me.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 0
But from what I read around here, the Land Cruiser is the chariot of the gods.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 0
Car and driver weighed it at 3,360, and I thought I saw it as high as 3,500 somewhere, but I can’t find the link at the moment. My issue is that it has significantly less power than the outgoing 6. That just doesn’t make sense to me.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
I just really hope they put the CX-9's turbo in the 6. 250 HP would suit nicely and end the complaints.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0
Honestly, I see your point. In these days of ever increasing hp, it seems Mazda lags in all their models, until you look at the other sedans in the 6's class and see that they have the same ball park power, mostly to hit the mpg targets that people in that market shop for. The difference is that Mazda doesn’t offer an engine upgrade for those who aren’t as concerned about economy, for sound business reasons (not enough people buy them). But, sometimes I think that they should have a MazdaSpeed 6 option just to cast the halo of performance on the other trims, because I keep hearing this stigma of low power even from non-enthusiasts.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 1
Oh it is. That’s true. Its also slow as shit.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:42, STARS: 1
I would love that. Keep the manual, turbo it, and it will be near perfect.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 1
I completely agree. Throw the enthusiasts a bone. I need to be able to fit a car seat, yet would like to not be bored to death by my car. They already have the looks, it just needs some more power.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 1
It may seem underpowered to others, but it just doesn’t feel that way to me. My “butt dyno” is fine with it. It has plenty of get up and go and passing power for daily driving and interstate hauls, and is able to make curvy backroads a lot of fun.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 1
0-60 of the 2016 Mazda6 i Touring automatic (what I drive) is 7.3 seconds. Faster than the four-cylinder Accord, Camry, and Malibu.
The 6 is not slow. Not compared to its competition. It is seen as slow because it doesn’t have an engine upgrade like the others.
It’s also not trying to be a Focus ST or a BMW. This is not a sporty car that happens to be able to do family car duties. This is a family car that happens to be a little bit sporty.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 0
But that’s just it. It’s a family sedan that is a little sporty. Not a sports car that has a little family hauling capabilities.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 0
If you like your car, keep it. You’re right in that it does well against the other 4cyl mid-size sedans. I just think that as good as it looks, it was a downgrade from the previous ones that were actually quick. I see them relatively often, so people seem to be buying them, I just reminisce about the past where Mazda was the “sporty” option to the other boring offerings.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2017 at 16:25, STARS: 0
Oh, I understand what you’re saying. That’s why I am hoping the turbo motor from the CX-9 makes its way into the 6.
I love my car. I’ve wanted one since they first released them and I have it now, so barring something crazy happening, it’s not going anywhere.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/04/2017 at 16:30, STARS: 0
They are gorgeous. I find myself admiring them frequently.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/04/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 0
I think the 6 competes with the 3 series in the company car segment over in the UK, if I read the reviews correctly.