"mazda616" (mazda616)
10/27/2016 at 10:29 • Filed to: Mazda6, One Year Review
11
25|
"mazda616" (mazda616)
10/27/2016 at 10:29 • Filed to: Mazda6, One Year Review | 11
| 25 |
October 10, 2015: I bought a 2016 Mazda6 i Touring sedan, in what Mazda calls “Deep Crystal Blue.” It had a whopping six miles on the odometer and we took it home for around $100.00 over invoice.
October 27, 2016: The car has just over 12,000 miles and I have decided to do a one-year review in addition to the other review I did shortly after buying the car (see below).
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/2016-mazda6-i-touring-the-complete-oppositelock-review-1742004322
Let’s start with what I don’t like about the car, since that list is fortunately a lot shorter than the list of what I do like.
1. The seats are a bit narrow. Not excessively so, but I don’t think Mazda understands the width of the average fat American ass.
2. The roofline is a bit low, so getting in and out of the driver’s seat requires me to duck my head quite a bit more than it did in my previous car (a 2008 Mazda3 hatchback). I’m only 5"10, but I have hit my head on the roofline getting in the car.
3. There’s a bit more road noise on bad road surfaces than you’d see in a Camry. But, it’s not as excessive as many publications would lead you to believe. In fact, I drove a Lincoln MKX to the beach a week ago and even with new tires (Goodyears), it had just as much if not more road noise than my 6.
Now, the good.
First of all, look at it!
It’s honestly one of the best looking family sedans around, in my opinion. I dig the interior design, too. Even the universally panned radio that protrudes from the dash a bit.
Second, the drive. The car handles every bit as good as you would expect a Mazda to, and then some. It holds on to corners for dear life and the steering is incredibly light and communicative. The six-speed automatic (get over it, manual lovers) is buttery smooth during a normal commute but very taut and responsive when the car is put into “sport” mode.
Third, the fuel economy. I’m averaging a solid 28 MPG in virtually all city driving. My commute to work is eight miles, with five of those eight miles either stopped at red lights or crawling along at speeds of 35 MPH or below. I also use the a/c a lot in the summer, because it is ice cold and I am fat. Us fat guys get hot more quickly than skinny fellows, but I digress. I have also seen as high as 39.5 MPG on a road trip.
Fourth, the reliability. I’ve had exactly one problem with the car since I bought it. The upholstery on the driver’s seat started to flake and peel off for some reason. Two spots each the size of my pinky nail. No one at the dealer had ever heard of this, nor could I find similar reports of it online. Mine was truly just a fluke. My car is a mid-level Touring model, so it is equipped with “leatherette” (vinyl) seats. This small seat issue was fixed under warranty and has not reappeared.
Fifth, the power. This 2.5 SkyActiv four-cylinder has 184 horsepower. On paper, that’s not much. I admit it. But on the road, it’s more than enough. I have never found myself wanting for power when driving this car. It has more than enough passing power, has a decent growl to it (an added bonus) and does 0-60 in seven seconds flat. It is quicker than all comparable automatic four-cylinder mid-sizers, topping out at 130 MPH according to Car & Driver.
The main issue is that the 6 doesn’t have an optional bigger engine, unlike the Accord and Camry (which can be, but never are, ordered with a V6). I am hoping the turbo’ed version of the 2.5 (found in the new CX-9) becomes an option for the 6 in the future.
The car is composed at speed and during my boring commute. It’s comfortable for long trips, even with its narrow seats. The trunk is huge, and the rear seat has plenty of room for a baby seat (our first child is due this February). We proved that by hauling my friend’s kid:
Add to the mix the fact that it is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and it becomes an excellent “dad car.”
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. I wish I’d have had the money for a Grand Touring model, but really, the only features the Grand Touring has that my Touring doesn’t (that I’d even be interested in) are heated seats and the automatic braking that comes with the intelligent cruise control (included within the “Technology” Package that can be adding to the Touring or Grand Touring). Heated seats would be nice because the leatherette is pretty cold during the Kentucky winter, but the car is garage kept, so that helps.
The Bose stereo this car has (part of the sunroof package added to it) is decent. Bose isn’t known for good car audio, but I am not an audiophile by any means. I just need something to sound good enough to enjoy. And this does. Of course, it has Bluetooth, dual USB ports, and an auxiliary port.
There are also rear HVAC vents, a relative rarity in a car this size only a few years ago but becoming more commonplace now.
So, in a nutshell, that’s my 6. And my thoughts on it. If you’re in the market for a midsize sedan, give the 6 a look. Sure, it’s no Accord, but that can be a good thing if you want something capable but also different, and reliable but also fun to drive. Plus, Mazda is often more willing to budge on price (of course, all depending on the dealer). Hence why we got a then-new (fresh off the truck) 2016 for $100.00 over invoice!
yitznewton
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 10:33 |
|
I was considering a long commute, and the 6 was tied for front-runner with the Acura TLX. Different strengths but both fine cars. Thank you for your writeup!
Rico
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 10:38 |
|
I have hit my head getting into the drivers seat of a Mazda 6 twice. I’m convinced that something is wrong with the ingress design. I’ve been in plenty of low slung sports cars and have never smashed my head.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 11:00 |
|
I would buy this car if I didn’t have a dog. I’m still driving a 2006 Mazda 3 and I love it.
|
mazda616
> Rico
10/27/2016 at 12:38 |
|
It is interesting, for sure. I have to brace myself on the steering wheel when getting out, to avoid raising up too far and hitting my head.
|
mazda616
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/27/2016 at 12:38 |
|
I miss my little 3. Had it for six years and it was a rock solid little car. No rust, either!
|
Rico
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 12:39 |
|
My issue was getting in. I smashed the side of my head on the opening. A year later at the car show went to get in again and boom smashed it again and this time I was actually trying to be more careful and made a joke to someone who was getting into the passenger seat that “last year I hit my head on this thing” and right after I said it boom.
mrbaits
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 13:50 |
|
The 6 is definitely a good looking vehicle. I would surely consider one if they added the turbo motor to the lineup. When getting into the car, try facing away from the car and sitting down backwards into it. This is the seating method I have been using on mine, since the 4 series Gran Coupe sits pretty low.
Meatstick62
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 14:56 |
|
We had a ‘13 CX-5 and I’m not surprised that you love the 6. I want one.
Please tell me the shot of the shot of the CX-5, 6, and the cozy coupe was your baby announcement.
|
mazda616
> Meatstick62
10/27/2016 at 15:12 |
|
Yes it was! :-)
I took the Cozy Coupe and painted it blue to match our cars. I bought a Mazda3 front emblem from eBay and my wife hot glued it on the front of the car. Our son is due February 11 and I can’t wait for him to be able to drive it someday!
AliZ
> Meatstick62
10/27/2016 at 20:49 |
|
I got Mazda6 GT and it will be two yrs in December. I love it. My uncle has a cx5. I feel the 6 has a similar capacity and the trunk is huge and both of them are good in their own class. A sporty family car
Thank you for the article. Really appreciate it.
|
AliZ
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 20:50 |
|
I got Mazda6 GT and it will be two yrs in December. I love it. My uncle has a cx5. I feel the 6 has a similar capacity and the trunk is huge and both of them are good in their own class. A sporty family car
Thank you for the article. Really appreciate it
|
Meatstick62
> mazda616
10/27/2016 at 22:35 |
|
That is epic. Good job. I was wondering where you found a blue coupe.
I have a secret fetish for matching-color cars, matching makes, and even better yet...both.
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 01:09 |
|
Nice car and nice writeup , thanks for posting!
bob and john
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 04:55 |
|
I think the seat thing says more about the avg american then it does mazda.
marvthegrate
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 07:57 |
|
I adore my ‘15 Grand Touring 6. I agree with most of your observations as well. I don’t seem to have the height problem, and I’m 6'4" but it’s muscle memory to fuck into every car.
I don’t love the older infotainment system in mine, but other than that it’s solid.
njp1589
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 08:39 |
|
This review comes at an excellent time for me, as I’m beginning my car shopping this weekend, and the 6 is high on my list. Also it’s nice to finally see a good picture of the blue.
Flaking/Durability on the leatherette was one of the reasons I was considering sticking to the sport trim... also because I’m cheap, and smaller wheels should soak up some of the road noise. I’ll have to sit in one for sure to evaluate the seats... I am a wide American.
How’s the “infotainment” system? Some reviews have said it’s a bit laggy.
|
mazda616
> njp1589
10/28/2016 at 09:32 |
|
The 2014 and 2015 had the older setup that my wife’s 2013 CX-5 has. It’s pretty slow/limited, but it works.
The updated setup in the ‘16s is a lot better. I haven’t had any lag issues out of mine.
|
mazda616
> bob and john
10/28/2016 at 09:33 |
|
Well yeah. For sure. I’m working on mine, though. Slowly but surely. Down about 10 pounds so far.
|
njp1589
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 09:54 |
|
Great to hear. I kind of like how it looks, and from some videos I’ve seen it’ll eventually be android auto compatible (though I’m not gonna brick my car to get it early).
|
mazda616
> njp1589
10/28/2016 at 09:56 |
|
I haven’t heard that about Android Auto. Interesting!
Honestly, though, it works well enough for me without it. The only thing missing is the maps integration.
Spike_africa
> njp1589
10/28/2016 at 10:30 |
|
Same for us. Wife’s 13 Passat TDI is being bought back by VW. looking at the GT 6 and a 17 Passat R-line. I like the looks of the R-line more. but the Mazda 6 is faster and seems to get better mpg. granted the turbo 1.8 with a simple low level tune picks up 40+hp and then would destroy the Mazda . I also have my local VW dealer doing 3500 bucks to stay in VW and only on new cars.
|
Mongo
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 14:01 |
|
I could have written the same review (minus the problems getting in and out; I have the seat height way down and it works for me).
I bought my 6 Touring in November of 2015 and have been very happy with it. My only real complaint is that the cost of the maps which activate the GPS is insanely high. I could buy 4.5 complete GPS systems for the list price of the chip. Luckily, I was able to buy one for $160 online, new.
I drive mostly around town on horribly maintained streets. One thing I found is that turning off traction control smooths out the ride a lot. It goes back on when I hit the highway.
This is my 4th Mazda. It’s also my favorite. I get a lot of comments along the lines of “That’s a beautiful car. What is it?” from random people in parking lots. I had a 2012 3 in the same blue as yours. This one is a deep grey.
Glad that you love your Mazda as much as I love mine. I’m planning to buy mine out at lease end. At least unless they have an autonomous driving version by then.
One other thing about the radio is that the EUR version has different software which enables some interesting things. If you search around, you will see that there’s a lot of activity around enhancing some things in the entertainment system. Not too hard to find.
|
Mongo
> AliZ
10/28/2016 at 14:11 |
|
The trunk is big. One of my friends in the ‘waste management business’ said “You could fit two dead bodies in that trunk. Three, if you have time”. I picked up a trunk organizer from Amazon which helps keep my groceries from sliding around. It was cheaper than the Mazda cargo net and has insulated compartments for perishable foods.
Steve in Manhattan
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 14:54 |
|
This makes we want to rent one for my next trip down to DC. That’s probably the 4 door sedan to buy if you’re in the market.
David M
> mazda616
10/28/2016 at 19:52 |
|
Great review. I never used to like the tablet-style infotainment systems, either. BMW, Mercedes and Audi seemed determined to foist them on us, and they look like they’re stuck on with chewing gum. Mazda has done a much better job of integrating them, and the benefit is a lower, smoother dash line. So now I like it, and the 6 is at the top of my short list whenever I buy.