CTC Review: 2009 Mazda6 GS-I4

[MKII]

I wonder how much of the Ford Mondeo got threw. B/C the Mazda 6 is based on the same platform as the Mondeo. So It would be very interesting to compare them side by side.

I might be mistaken but I seem to recall reading somewhere (edmunds perhaps) that the european Mondeo platform was ditched in favour of stretching/revamping the previous generation 6 chassis in order to end up with a larger car to suit the north american market.

North American Mazda6 Wheelbase 2,790 (mm) Ford Fusion 2,727 (mm) 
Mondeo Wheelbase 2,850 (mm)

[Eric Green]

Sure reminds me of the current Euro Ford Mondeo. Spitting image of that excellent vehicle.

[gpws2k]

North American Mazda6 Wheelbase 2,790 (mm) Ford Fusion 2,727 (mm) 
Mondeo Wheelbase 2,850 (mm)

The interior dimensions of both the 6 and Mondeo are definitely comparable (though the Mondeo has a bigger trunk and more headroom in the back).  I guess the decision to recycle the chassis was more a question of keeping costs down.

Now they have a car that is less distinguishable from Camry and Accord.  What reason does the average buyer have to get them to take a look at this over a CamCord?

It especially chaps my bottom as Mazda has enough of a parts bin to at least put in some distinctive powertrains.  Slot the DI turbo 4 under the V-6, make AWD optional across the board, revive your K-series V-6's.  Give people a reason to come shop you vs. the mainstays. 

I'm not sure that I agree that the 6 is less distinguishable from its immediate competition.  As far as looks go, Mazda is miles ahead of Toyota, Nissan and Honda in my opinion, just like the previous car.  Granted, it's a shame that the variety of bodystyles was deemed unprofitable overkill for our market, I think the 6 still manages to appeal to its original clientele and will build on it thanks to the great reviews it's been getting. 

However, I definitely agree that the powertrain offerings are lacking and are the one element holding this car back from becoming a top seller - an AWD-capable chassis should always be taken advantage of.  I think the AWD Fusion is proof that there's undoubtedly a market for mid-priced, mid-sized AWD sedans.  Direct injection should also find its way into more engine bays, especially these days when car buyers are expecting  decent performance while demanding better fuel economy.  If Mazda get their act together and start offering more direct injection engines, the next Mazdaspeed6 might even give the SH-AWD TL a run for its money.

[Feds]

I'm not sure that I agree that the 6 is less distinguishable from its immediate competition.  As far as looks go, Mazda is miles ahead of Toyota, Nissan and Honda in my opinion, just like the previous car.  Granted, it's a shame that the variety of bodystyles was deemed unprofitable overkill for our market, I think the 6 still manages to appeal to its original clientele and will build on it thanks to the great reviews it's been getting. 

I don't know, looking at a new camry, and a new accord, this generation of 6 gets closer to the bulbous, nondescript roundiness of the modern sedan.  The old design was a little more taut.

[I had links to pictures of the cars, but I don't have 10 posts.  Needless to say, In my eye it is more than fair to say that the new6 "evokes the design language of" the Camry]

[Jaeger]

Rant on.

Is there some rule that says the first couple days of these day-by-day reviews must read like the manufacturer's brochure?  I mean, I think the concept of a running commentary on the writer's daily experiences with a vehicle is a good idea, except that they seem to fall into this rigid formula of:

Day 1 - These are the external / mechanical features.

Day 2 - This are the interior features.

Day 3 - (If we're lucky) - This is what it's like to drive the damn thing.

Maybe I should just pass on these until Day 3.

Sheesh.

Rant off.

This is a great-looking car inside and out.  As I've said before, Honds needs to abduct some Mazda designers right quick.  I am disappointed that it has bloated up quite so much, but it hides its avoir-du-pois mich better than the Accord.  It's also too bad that you can't get a stick with the 6.  Come to think of it, I wish you guys had picked the I4 / stick shift combo - I'm really keen to hear what that one is like. [TO DRIVE!]

Jaeger

[rrocket]

^^^^Yea, I agree to a certain extent.  Since most of us read 2, 3 or even 5 car mags per month, we're pretty up to speed on the specs, features etc...

I'd also be far more interested in just hearing about his day-to day drives.....where he went, scenery, speeds, how the car handled it it...what's it's like to live with the car...what tunes he had on for the drive, etc....

Unfortunately, I'm sure Wing has to kiss up add in things to the review to stay on good terms with the manufacturers (like features, blah, blah)..maybe even say nice things...or they won't give out anymore cars.

[airbalancer]

I believe Wing has listed his reason before.
He had said ( getting old memory may be going) he like to have a couple of seat of days before he gives driving option.
Also not everyone spends their time on other website or mags for specs

[rrocket]

Also not everyone spends their time on other website or mags for specs

But the vast majority of people who frequent car blogs or car sites are pretty up to speed on that kind of stuff.

[MyNewMazda6]

Well, on Tuesday night I bought a 2009 Mazda6 GT V6, loaded, except the ridiculous $2500 nav pkg... I pick it up tomorrow evening - can't wait! This will replace my 2001 4cyl Honda Accord with 170K... I looked at a lot of cars and couldn't find anything comparable to the Mazda6 for even close to the price.

[rrocket]

^^Pics or ban!!!   

[safristi]

MNM6 Congrats ....... Welcome to the Zoom Zoom set here on Can Driv.....we RULEZ

[wing]

Also not everyone spends their time on other website or mags for specs

But the vast majority of people who frequent car blogs or car sites are pretty up to speed on that kind of stuff.

True but you would be SURPRISED at the number of people that do not read these constantly and read the reviews as a consumer that knows nothing before reviewing.  I've had many e-mail questions that prove this if I miss to mention something small I may get an e-mail like "Does it have power mirrors?"  To me and you this may be obvious... like almost every single car today has power mirrors, but to some this is not obvious at all.

Heck my co-worker just yesterday went to test drive an altima and came back super impressed.  He was blown away it had... "power windows, cruise control, keyless remote entry" -- I was like "Meh all cars have that" but his 2000 civic does not so this was big to him.

[wing]

I'd also be far more interested in just hearing about his day-to day drives.....where he went, scenery, speeds, how the car handled it it...what's it's like to live with the car...what tunes he had on for the drive, etc....

It's funny Rocket I use to do this ... well not exactly but closer to that than the current formula and I was always told I need more spec info and stuff in there.  It's a balance, I could end up writing about nothing -- may be an interesting read, or it may not be.  But then it would serve no purpose to the general consumer who ... let's face it advertisers want to hit the page so that their ads target them.  Delicate balance -- I am up to altering my format at any time because sometimes it gets boring writing something and I like to make it fun to write as well.

You wouldn't want a review with my drive and scenery on most days though as mostly I drive the same 3 roads to work and back .  Tonight I went to the grocery store -- I am going to write about that

[rrocket]

I'd also be far more interested in just hearing about his day-to day drives.....where he went, scenery, speeds, how the car handled it it...what's it's like to live with the car...what tunes he had on for the drive, etc....

It's funny Rocket I use to do this ... well not exactly but closer to that than the current formula and I was always told I need more spec info and stuff in there.  It's a balance, I could end up writing about nothing -- may be an interesting read, or it may not be.  But then it would serve no purpose to the general consumer who ... let's face it advertisers want to hit the page so that their ads target them.  Delicate balance -- I am up to altering my format at any time because sometimes it gets boring writing something and I like to make it fun to write as well.

You wouldn't want a review with my drive and scenery on most days though as mostly I drive the same 3 roads to work and back .  Tonight I went to the grocery store -- I am going to write about that

But those mundane drives...THOSE are the ones where you decide whether you can live with the car everyday for the next several years.  Sure the track days are always great...but it's the daily slog that really seperates a good car from an average car..

[Jaeger]

I'd also be far more interested in just hearing about his day-to day drives.....where he went, scenery, speeds, how the car handled it it...what's it's like to live with the car...what tunes he had on for the drive, etc....

Exactly.  The day-in-day-out interaction between car and driver, such as a new owner might experience, is what would interest me.

And as to some other points:

1) Specs, features and options can easily be put in a sidebar - there's no "story" there.  It's basically a list of pretty dry information. Stringing it out in sentence format doesn't make it any less dry - particularly when that's pretty much all there is for an entire day's log. 

2) I don't get the need to wait a few days before giving drving impressions.  I'd be interested to hear first impressions - and whether they change over the course of a week.

Jaeger

[wing]

I spiced it up "a bit" for today.. just you wait.

Thanks for the suggestions guys I'll talk it over with my colleagues I could do a sidebar thing or even link to our buyer's guide.

[rrocket]

I spiced it up "a bit" for today.. just you wait.

I could do a sidebar thing or even link to our buyer's guide.

Great idea with the spec sheet/sidebar/link idea.  More about the driving....it's entirely possible that initially you'd really like a car...but by day five, dislike it.  And it would be really interesting to hear why....

Maybe you take it for granted that you get to drive all of these cars all the time.  Your job is to make US feel like we are driving that car...with your words....so we can imagine the sensations, tactile feeling of the controls, materials...so we can hear the annoying wind noise, the drone of the tires.  If I want specs, I'll just go look at a buyer's guide.  I consider anyone who takes enough time to write a Blog to be an enthusiast.  Like me.  Put US in that driver's seat beside you...

[Turbo Bob]

I've cross-posted this on a zillion sites, but I feel this is a rare mistake by Mazda's product planners.

When you are not the Camry or the Accord, you need to offer a compelling reason for people to get into the showrooms.  Mazda had that in the previous 6 Wagon & Hatch.  They obviously didn't sell enough to justify their existence, but the fact that they did exist was a reason for people to come look at the 6 lineup, even if they ended up with the sedan.

Now they have a car that is less distinguishable from Camry and Accord.  What reason does the average buyer have to get them to take a look at this over a CamCord?

It especially chaps my bottom as Mazda has enough of a parts bin to at least put in some distinctive powertrains.  Slot the DI turbo 4 under the V-6, make AWD optional across the board, revive your K-series V-6's.  Give people a reason to come shop you vs. the mainstays. 

I disagree.  I was looking in this segment too, I think it's the best looking and best specced car in it's class/price range, will probably be very reliable, and no doubt drives very well.  Which in my book put it above the Camry and the Accord.  I do think the Euro Mondeo is a better car and far better looking, I wish they would sell that over here, or the Focus RS...

[wing]

rrocket, only issue is that is more work for me haha, instead of banging out a blog in 30min to an hour it could take me 2 hours... hopefully I don't get writers block.  

Like I said always open to suggestions and I do like change (unlike some people) I'm always willing to try new things as well.

Good point on the "I may take it for granted"  That's a tough one, cars are so good these days I do feel the differences now more so than people that don't drive a different car everyday.  Sometimes I / we (writers) are too critical because we get annoyed with small things most wouldn't so sometimes I will bite my tongue on writing something. 

[rrocket]

Just bring a voice recorder and talk to yourself while you drive.  Use it for notes.  Better yet, get a Stickpod with a video camera.  And do yourself a favor and get some voice recognition software so yo don't have to type your blogs.  Someone I know has been "writing" their thesis, and this stuff works amazing.... (don't know what it's called though)