Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Mazda6 GT

[Autos_Editor]

Will a mid-cycle refresh be enough to boost slow sales of Mazda's award-winning mid-size sedan?
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[pcsp]

Not surprising to see sales decline for the 6. Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items. Much the same as manufacturers a decade and more ago charging consumers significant premiums for features such as airbags! Of course it didn't help that Mazda teased and reneged on its plan to bring the Skyactiv-D to NA. This may not have helped sales significantly in the short-term, but it would have cemented Mazda's reputation as a company willing to take risks and bring usable technology and innovation to market. Now, they're just another also-ran with a good compact and popular 2 seater.

[mmret]

Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items.

I assume you mean the electronics package and the iELOOP thing on the top spec GT?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. What mainstream manufacturer gives you collision prevention and adaptive cruise etc. standard on a base or even mid trim car?

Really silly criticism.

[OliverD]

A contradiction in the article:

and three new exterior colours.

The 2016 Mazda6 is also available in two new exterior colours: Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I. Want. This. Car.

Too bad I can't afford a new car   This one would be at the top of my list.

[SKYMTL]

If anything, Mazda's new highly-marketed warranty will resonate with consumers more than a facelift.  With that being said, I personally think this is the best looking family sedan out there right now.

[OliverD]

Yeah, it does look very good.

[redman]

Tight overhangs and slopping rooflines look great but I just can't fit or see proper in the new 6 to much ergonomics lost to styling for those 6Ft+. Maybe the seat does not go low enough either ?
Little biased here having owned some boxy vehicles including Volvo 240's. My current 10 Legacy has good external visuals. The size of the door window for starters makes a big different seeing outward for me.

[pcsp]

Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items.

I assume you mean the electronics package and the iELOOP thing on the top spec GT?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. What mainstream manufacturer gives you collision prevention and adaptive cruise etc. standard on a base or even mid trim car?

Really silly criticism.

Better be prepared to pay extra if you want smarter and safer brakes, some protection against falling asleep at the wheel, and better fuel economy.

[dkaz]

Tight overhangs and slopping rooflines look great but I just can't fit or see proper in the new 6 to much ergonomics lost to styling for those 6Ft+.

I'm 6'-1" and fit in the front seat and behind myself just fine.

Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items.

I assume you mean the electronics package and the iELOOP thing on the top spec GT?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. What mainstream manufacturer gives you collision prevention and adaptive cruise etc. standard on a base or even mid trim car?

Really silly criticism.

Better be prepared to pay extra if you want smarter and safer brakes, some protection against falling asleep at the wheel, and better fuel economy.

Of course technology is going to cost money. I don't need any of those things.

[sacrat]

If anything, Mazda's new highly-marketed warranty will resonate with consumers more than a facelift.  With that being said, I personally think this is the best looking family sedan out there right now.

Agree on the looks. However the new warranty enhancements might only lead to more sales of 3s and CX-5s.
This car has been in crisis since about 2007 as other manufacturers upped their game in the mid-size segment. I also found the seating position odd at the auto show last week.

[initial_D]

It is such a pretty car, inside and out.  But there needs to be a true performance model - turbo, AWD.  The drive train lags behind the offering from others in the midsize category.

Remember the Mazda 626 Turbo?

The Mazdaspeed6? Or the 4th gen MX-6 from the 80s? Turbo, all wheel steering, no awd option in NA tho. Made the 10 list on Car&Driver. ABS was an option back then. (I was looking and tested a used one 15 years ago, was a decent performer)

Adding a high performance model would stir up more interests, but that model will never be a big number seller either. It is a great car, too bad most consumers don't have the taste for it.

[mmret]

Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items.

I assume you mean the electronics package and the iELOOP thing on the top spec GT?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. What mainstream manufacturer gives you collision prevention and adaptive cruise etc. standard on a base or even mid trim car?

Really silly criticism.

Better be prepared to pay extra if you want smarter and safer brakes, some protection against falling asleep at the wheel, and better fuel economy.

And this is unique to Mazda how?

[PJAvenger]

When I can get a Fusion with 270 tq / 240 hp and AWD for the same price (or probably less with Ford employee days), I can see why this car isn't selling.
Mazda needs to step it up with the 6.

[pcsp]

Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items.

I assume you mean the electronics package and the iELOOP thing on the top spec GT?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. What mainstream manufacturer gives you collision prevention and adaptive cruise etc. standard on a base or even mid trim car?

Really silly criticism.

Better be prepared to pay extra if you want smarter and safer brakes, some protection against falling asleep at the wheel, and better fuel economy.

And this is unique to Mazda how?

Not unique at all. My original post stated "Mazda is FOLLOWING the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items. Much the same as manufacturers a decade and more ago charging consumers significant premiums for features such as airbags!"

[mlin32]

Midsize sedans resonate better with American consumers than Canadians; I think Mazda knows and expects this.

YTD Feb 2015, Mazda sold 16.770 3s and 8.830 6s in the US.
Same time period, Mazda sold 4.623 3s and 235 6s in Canada.

Also in the US, the Mazda6 is pretty much priced right on top of the Mazda3 so unsurprisingly, America's (non-understandable) mentality of "bigger is better" means more folks like to gravitate towards the 6. There's also a handful of fleet sales for the 3 (although I have seen a couple 6s as rentals).

[Solstice2006]

If anything, Mazda's new highly-marketed warranty will resonate with consumers more than a facelift.  With that being said, I personally think this is the best looking family sedan out there right now.

Agree on the looks. However the new warranty enhancements might only lead to more sales of 3s and CX-5s.
This car has been in crisis since about 2007 as other manufacturers upped their game in the mid-size segment. I also found the seating position odd at the auto show last week.

Only in Canada, in other markets like the US and Europe, the Mazda6 is at it's best sales ever...

[nlm]

Can you imagine the return of the speed6 with this design: turbo 4, 6-spd, awd? Dare I say it would fill a hole in the market (although a pretty small hole at that). Too bad its sales isn't high enough to justify niche models like that.

[mlin32]

Disappointed that if one's paying extra for i-Eloop, at least give us the Stop-Start automatic (i-Stop in Mazda-speak).......

[mmret]

Mazda is following the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items.

I assume you mean the electronics package and the iELOOP thing on the top spec GT?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. What mainstream manufacturer gives you collision prevention and adaptive cruise etc. standard on a base or even mid trim car?

Really silly criticism.

Better be prepared to pay extra if you want smarter and safer brakes, some protection against falling asleep at the wheel, and better fuel economy.

And this is unique to Mazda how?

Not unique at all. My original post stated "Mazda is FOLLOWING the worn and dubious path of charging extra for safety and economy items. Much the same as manufacturers a decade and more ago charging consumers significant premiums for features such as airbags!"

Yes but you asserted that this was the reason for a sales decline. How can that be if every manufacturer is doing it?