Mazda Mazda6

If you think of midsize sedans as only boring family cars, the 2017 Mazda6 may change your mind. Its incredibly sharp handling, responsive steering, and comfortable ride combine to deliver one of the most enjoyable driving experiences in the class. The Mazda6 also earns outstanding fuel economy estimates and has a comfortable and luxurious interior, which add to its high ranking.

Is the Mazda6 a Good Car?

The Mazda6 is a well-rounded car with outstanding performance, popular standard features, and an upscale interior, all at a below-class-average price. While its reliability scores are low for the class, it earns great safety scores for the 2017 model year. It also earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+ designation for the fourth year in a row. Its base Sport trim comes with all the popular features you're looking for in a car, and its midlevel Touring trim, which still has a below-average starting price, adds even more safety features. You'll pay a lot more for its top Grand Touring trim, but what you get for the money is comparable to what rivals, such as the Ford Fusion, offer for similar prices.

Should I Buy the Mazda6?

The Mazda6 manages to meet all of the criteria shoppers look for in a midsize car, while also managing to be fun to drive and easy on your wallet. Its below-average price makes it an appealing car in a competitive class, but its high-quality interior, excellent fuel economy, and superior performance make it stand out. However, the Mazda6 features a slow and unresponsive upgraded navigation system. The Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration systems would solve this issue, but neither is available with the Mazda6. Competitors like the Hyundai Sonata not only have better optional navigation systems, but also have options for smartphone integration systems that allow you to use your phone's navigation app instead.

Compare the Mazda6, Fusion, and Sonata »

We Did the Research for You: 40 Pieces of Data Analyzed

Our team reviewed 40 pieces of data about the Mazda6, including crash test results, reliability ratings, and other professional reviews, to help you decide if it's the right car for you. We put this kind of effort into every one of our reviews in order to make sure you have the tools you need for your car buying research. The Mazda6 was last fully redesigned for the 2014 model year and has seen few changes since. As a result, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from the 2014 through 2017 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

With a combined 75 years of experience and nearly a decade of rankings under our belts, our team has the expertise to give you the important facts about each car we rank. You can count on us to deliver an unbiased appraisal because our editorial staff does not accept expensive gifts or trips paid for by automakers, and all advertising on our site is handled by a third party.

How Much Does the Mazda6 Cost?

The Mazda6 starts at $21,945, which is below average for the class. However, its base Sport trim comes with all the popular features you expect from a midsize car, such as a rearview camera, a 7-inch touch screen, hands-free text messaging, voice commands, and a six-speaker sound system. Even the Mazda6's midlevel Touring trim has a below-average price, starting at $24,195, and it adds features such as leatherette upholstery, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support, which provides automatic emergency braking. However, the price drastically increases by $6,500 (to $30,695) for the Mazda6's highest trim, the Grand Touring. This trim adds more luxury and safety features like heated front seats and blind spot monitoring This is a steep price, but it's in line with what some rivals – like the Ford Fusion – charge for similar features. There are numerous a la carte items and packages available, ranging from $50 to $2,500. They include things like rear parking sensors, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Mazda dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Mazda deals page.

Mazda6 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Mazda6 or Subaru Legacy?

The Subaru Legacy has a similar starting price ($21,995) to that of the Mazda6. The Legacy, however, comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission. In order to get an automatic transmission in the Mazda6, you have to pay $1,050, bringing the Mazda's price to $22,995. Additionally, the Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive, whereas the Mazda6 comes standard with front-wheel drive and doesn't even offer all-wheel drive (not many midsize cars do). However, the Mazda6's base Sport trim comes with more standard features than the Legacy's base 2.5i trim. In order to get features like a 7-inch touch screen and a six-speaker sound system, you'll need to upgrade to the Legacy's 2.5i Premium trim, which starts at $23,995. This trim also gets you comfort features like heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, for just $200 more, you can get these features, plus blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking in the Mazda6's Touring trim, which starts at $24,195. You can't get safety features like that without adding packages to the Legacy's 2.5i Premium or 2.5i Sport trims or upgrading to the 2.5i Limited trim, which starts at $28,840. In addition to getting more for your money in the Mazda6, you'll also get better performance. Both the base and upgraded engine in the Legacy have lackluster acceleration, and there is considerable body lean when you take the Legacy around corners. The Mazda6, on the other hand, has athletic handling, sharp steering, and peppy acceleration. Combine that with its standard and available features, and the Mazda6 is the better choice.

Which Is Better: Mazda6 or Hyundai Sonata?

The Hyundai Sonata also has a below-average starting price ($21,950) that is similar to the Mazda6's. However, the Sonata has even more standard features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which aren't even offered in the Mazda6. Instead, the Mazda6 utilizes voice commands and has hands-free text messaging capabilities to integrate your smartphone into the infotainment system. The Sonata's Limited trim starts at $27,150 and includes similar features to the Mazda6's highest Grand Touring trim, which starts at $30,695. The Grand Touring trim includes safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, rear park assist, and an automatic hands-free trunk. In order to get these safety features in the Sonata, you need to add the $1,750 Ultimate package to the Sonata's Limited trim. This would bring your total to $28,900, which is still less than the Mazda6's Grand Touring trim.

The Hyundai Sonata also has one of the largest cargo areas in its class, with 16.3 cubic feet of space (compared to the Mazda6's 14.8 cubic feet), and its automatic hands-free trunk makes the Sonata a breeze to pack compared to the Mazda. However, the Sonata falls short of the Mazda6 when it comes to performance. The Sonata fails to deliver a thrilling drive while the Mazda6 outperforms most rivals in the class, including the Sonata. Choosing between the Sonata and the Mazda6 is difficult. The Mazda6 delivers sporty handling and exciting acceleration, but it will cost you a little more to get popular features. The Sonata has cavernous cargo space and more advanced smartphone integration, and it offers popular features at a lower price, but it isn't exciting to drive. If your heart is set on performance and you can spare the extra cash, go with the Mazda6, but if you're a techy and looking for the latest gadgets, the Sonata is the better choice for you.

Which Is Better: Mazda6 or Ford Fusion?

The Ford Fusion has a slightly higher starting price than the Mazda6, but it is one of the only other cars in the class that offers an engaging drive – striking a balance between agile and comfortable. It has sporty handling with communicative steering. There are two available turbocharged engines for extra power and stronger acceleration, which is good because the base engine is weak. These engines range from $900 to $1,795, making the Fusion even more expensive than the Mazda6. Additionally, the Fusion gets some of the lowest fuel economy in its class, with 21-23 mpg in the city and 31-34 mpg on the highway, depending on engine. All-wheel-drive models get even worse fuel economy. So while you’ll spend about $1,250 per year on fuel for the Mazda6, you could spend as much as $1,550 per year with the Fusion. The Fusion’s base S model also doesn’t come with as many standard features as the Mazda6’s base Sport does. Overall, the Mazda gets you more for your money, even if you go with the base trim, which beats the Fusion’s base price and gets you better performance.

Compare the Mazda6, Legacy, and Sonata »

Mazda6 Interior

How Many People Does the Mazda6 Seat?

The 2017 Mazda6 seats five on cloth upholstery. Leatherette or leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with driver position memory, and heated front seats are available. The front seats are well-bolstered and supportive, providing comfort on long journeys. With their ample head- and legroom, the back seats offer plenty of space for tall occupants.

Mazda6 and Car Seats

The Mazda6 has two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors in its rear outboard seats and three top tethers. The top tethers are easy to access and connect, but the lower anchors are recessed in the seats, making them difficult to get to. Additionally, the front passenger seat has to be moved up in order to make room for an infant seat in the rear seat, making it cramped for taller occupants. The seat belt stalks are short, making it harder for kids in booster seats to buckle themselves in.

Mazda6 Interior Quality

The Mazda6's first-rate interior materials and handsome design are similar to what you'd expect to find in a more expensive car. When you step up to the top Grand Touring trim, the cabin is even more upscale, with leatherette upholstery that looks and feels like the real thing. Still, some rivals are quieter inside than the Mazda6, so you may find yourself frequently increasing the stereo volume to drown out noise. If a hushed interior is important to you, the Hyundai Sonata is a good option.

Mazda6 Cargo Space

The 2017 Mazda6 has a 14.8-cubic-foot trunk, which is average for a midsize sedan. This can hold a dehumidifier or a microwave oven. The trunk's wide opening and easily foldable back seats make the space quite accessible. The Subaru Legacy has a slightly larger trunk with 16 cubic feet of space, which can hold a window air conditioner.

Mazda6 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

For 2017, the Mazda6 comes standard with the MazdaConnect infotainment system. The system features a tablet-sized 7-inch display, a multifunction control knob, voice commands, internet radio, HD Radio, and hands-free text messaging. The infotainment menus are straightforward and easy to read, which help reduce distractions while driving. When the car is stopped, the display functions as a touch screen. Most audio and climate settings have physical control knobs.

The navigation system, which you can only get in the Mazda6 Grand Touring model, is frustrating. Inputting addresses takes too much time, after which the system is still slow to respond. Many aftermarket navigation systems offer better functionality. 

Some rivals, like the Hyundai Sonata, offer easier ways to connect to your smartphone's features through either Apple CarPlay or Android Audio. The Mazda6 isn't available with either smartphone connectivity option, which are both becoming commonplace features in the class.

Read more about interior »

Mazda6 Performance

Mazda6 Engine: 1 Engine Option

The Mazda6's 184-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is paired to a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is available. The Mazda6's engine provides a good amount of power and peppy acceleration for most driving situations. The Mazda6 feels even faster with the available automatic transmission's Sport mode, which adjusts the throttle control and transmission shifts for a more engaging ride. The automatic transmission offers quick shifts, and the standard manual transmission delivers short throws. However, unlike most midsize cars, the Mazda6 isn't available with a more powerful engine option. Rivals like the Ford Fusion offer three upgraded engines, including a potent 325-horsepower 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.

Mazda6 Gas Mileage: Excellent Fuel Economy

With the available six-speed automatic transmission, the Mazda6 gets up to 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which is better than most gas-powered midsize cars' estimates. It could cost you up to $1.88 to drive 25 miles in the Mazda6, while it could cost you up to $2.18 to drive the same distance in the Ford Fusion. You can get slightly better fuel economy estimates of 27 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway with the top-of-the-line Mazda6 Grand Touring's Technology package, which uses regenerative brakes and active grille shutters to conserve fuel. However, if you didn't already plan on buying that trim and package for other features, the added cost (the Grand touring starts at $30,695) may not be worth 1 additional mile per gallon in the city.

Mazda6 Ride and Handling: Best-in-Class Handling

You would be hard-pressed to find a midsize sedan with more enjoyable driving dynamics than the Mazda6. Its athletic handling, sharp steering, and strong brakes outclass nearly every rival. Though the Mazda6's drive is a bit on the firmer side, its ride is still fairly comfortable. Models with 17-inch wheels offer a softer suspension than those with the available 19-inch wheels. The Mazda6 comes standard with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is not available. The Subaru Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive.

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Mazda6 Reliability

Is the Mazda6 Reliable?

The 2017 Mazda6 has below average predicted reliability ratings (2.5 out of five) compared with other vehicles on the road. Both the Ford Fusion and Subaru Legacy get a 3.5 rating, which is above average. The Hyundai Sonata ranks higher and is expected to be more reliable than most vehicles with a four out of five. The Toyota Camry has the highest predicted reliability ratings of five.

Mazda6 Warranty

The 2017 Mazda6 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is fairly typical for the class. However, Hyundai backs theSonata with a five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is one of the best warranties on the market.

Read more about reliability »

Mazda6 Safety

Mazda6 Crash Test Results

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2017 Mazda6 receives five out of five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. These scores result in a five-star overall crash test rating. The Mazda6 receives the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest score of Good in every crashworthiness category and a score of Superior in front crash prevention. It's also designated as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The Hyundai Sonata receives the same scores from the IIHS and is a Top Safety Pick.

Mazda6 Safety Features

New for 2017, the Mazda6 comes standard with a rearview camera. Mazda6 upper trims are available with lots of safety features including lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross traffic alert. These features are very common among class competitors such as the Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy. Also available is Smart City Brake Support, which can help prevent low-speed collisions by automatically applying the brakes when a collision is imminent. An optional system identifies traffic signs, like those for speed limits, and shows them on the screen behind the steering wheel.

Read more about safety »

Which Mazda6 Model Is Right for Me?

The Mazda6 has a starting price of $21,945, which is below average for the class. Even if you add the $1,050 automatic transmission to the base Sport model – bringing your total to $22,995 – you're still paying below the class average. However, standard features are similar to class rivals, such as theFord Fusion, and include a rearview camera, an infotainment system with a touch screen, smartphone integration capabilities, and a six-speaker stereo system. The base model doesn't come with any safety features besides a rearview camera, but you can add rear parking sensors for an additional $475, still keeping you about $950 under the class average starting price.

However, upgrading to the Mazda6's midlevel Touring trim will get you the best deal. With a starting price of $24,195 it is about $230 less than the class average starting price, and it adds safety features such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support, which provides automatic emergency braking at speeds between 2 and 19 mph. You won't get blind spot monitoring in the Subaru Legacy until you're paying almost $30,000.

The top-of-the-line Mazda6 Grand Touring model costs $6,500 more than the Touring, but you get comfort features like heated front seats, a moonroof, and leather upholstery. You also get navigation, an 11-speaker Bose sound system, and additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. You can get features like a moonroof and a Bose sound system in the Touring trim with a package that's $1,325. For $1,425 you can also get a package that includes heated front seats, LED daytime running lights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated side mirrors. Adding both of these packages to the Touring trim brings the price to $26,945, which is less than the Grand Touring trim, and you still get similar features. However, you do miss out on the additional safety features.

Mazda6 Sport

The 2017 Mazda6 base Sport model costs $21,945. It comes with a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission is available for $1,050. Standard features include push-button start, Bluetooth phone and audio, a six-speaker stereo, auxiliary and USB ports, a rearview camera, and a MazdaConnect infotainment system with a 7-inch touch-screen display, a multifunction control knob, voice commands, internet radio compatibility, HD Radio, and hands-free text messaging. For $550, you can add Mazda Mobile Start, which allows you to start the car with your smartphone, and for $475 you can add rear parking sensors.

Mazda6 Touring

The Touring trim starts at $24,195. It comes standard with base trim features, plus dual-zone automatic climate control, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and leatherette upholstery. Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support, which provides automatic emergency braking at speeds between 2 and 19 mph. A $1,325 package adds a moonroof, an 11-speaker Bose stereo, and satellite radio. You can add adaptive LED headlights, heated side mirrors, and heated front seats for $1,425.

Mazda6 Grand Touring

The top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim is priced at $30,695. It comes standard with lower trim features and adds a six-speed automatic transmission, a moonroof, adaptive LED headlights, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, navigation, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, an 11-speaker Bose stereo, and satellite radio. Standard safety features include lane keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition, which is a feature that recognizes traffic signs – including speed limit signs, stop signs, and no entry signs – and alerts you via the driver's display screen. A Premium package is available for $2,500 and adds heated rear seats, a regenerative engine braking system, leather-trimmed sport seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Where is the Mazda6 Made?

The Mazda6 is made in Hofu, Japan. It is manufactured by Mazda, a Japanese automaker based in Hiroshima, Japan.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Mazda dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Mazda deals page.

See 2017 Mazda6 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2017 Mazda6 is a well-rounded midsize car that offers engaging performance, a luxurious cabin, and excellent fuel economy at a price that is below average for its class. It also comes standard with the popular features you'd expect from a car in this class. However, its upgraded navigation system is slow to respond and can be frustrating. Its performance is among the best in the class, though if you want more power, you're out of luck; there are no available engine upgrades. Many competitors have multiple engine options. Despite these caveats though, the Mazda6 is a worthy contender in a competitive class.