Topic: First Drive: 2014 Mazda6

[Autos_Editor]

Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony braves winding roads, exquisite barbecue and sunny Texas weather to report on the new 2014 Mazda6.

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[mixmanmash]

Sounds like the perfect daily driver for me.  Just waiting for the diesel model to hit our shores.

[hemusbull]

The most anticipated car recently!

[toolatecrew]

I like most everything I hear about this car. I hope it looks as good in the flesh as it does in photo's.

Only disappointing thing so far is lack of Sun roof option on the GX. Last model 6 had the option for a Comfort package /sunroof on the base model. Now you need to move all the way up to the GS and take blind spot monitoring and a whole bunch of other crap.

 

[Solstice2006]

I like most everything I hear about this car. I hope it looks as good in the flesh as it does in photo's.

Only disappointing thing so far is lack of Sun roof option on the GX. Last model 6 had the option for a Comfort package /sunroof on the base model. Now you need to move all the way up to the GS and take blind spot monitoring and a whole bunch of other crap.

I somewhat agree. Although it's not the sunroof I am interested in.  The GX is perfect for me, with the manual, but the leather steering wheel, shift knob, and fog lights would be nice.  Maybe next year they will offer a package on the GX.  Can the dealer install the Bose speaker system from the GT to the GX? Probably not, probably only a factory installed option.  Makes one wonder, can dealer's install anything besides car mats, hitches, and roof racks?

[5 Wheel Drive]

Nice!!!  Make mine a manual GS...

[whaddaiknow]

Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony braves winding roads, exquisite barbecue and sunny Texas weather to report on the new 2014 Mazda6.

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Not a bad car, actually pretty good but the sales won't take off until the diesel arrives. It's a conquest vehicle that will put a dent in the big 3 sales numbers.

[Solstice2006]

Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony braves winding roads, exquisite barbecue and sunny Texas weather to report on the new 2014 Mazda6.

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Jonathan, hope your sticky bbq fingers didn't get the car dirty.  This is most in depth first drive review I have read at Autos.ca.  Interesting information about the longest wheelbase amongst the competitors, but less legroom than some.  It's like where did all that space go?  The hood?  Is the seat fabric on the GX similar to any other Mazdas? Previous Mazda6?  (I liked the fabric in my 2008 Mazda6) same as CX-5?  Too bad that nice red can't be had in the GX... Another question, did Mazda mention why this is a 2014? When it came to Canada in January of 2013?


Anyway, great article Jonathan, now if I had to choose, the review yesterday of the Juke SL AWD for $31k with freight, or the Mazda6 GS Luxury for the same price...hmmm I may loose sleep over this...  We all know the icing on the cake would be when Mazda brings the diesel, if they offered a sport hatch (like the 1st generation Mazda6, or the upcoming BMW 3 series GT), or wagon.   The Mazdaspeed 6 AWD, had tons of reliabillity problems, so I am not asking for a turbo, or AWD!

[philmcneal]

so the I-LOOOP system is only on the highest technology package for the 6spd auto correct?

[redman]

"Japanese market, which is snapping up diesels at five times the expected rate"

I find this statement interesting and wonder if other manufacturers are listening. In a high tech land like Japan, one would expect electric cars to be the rage but it's the new diesels that are in demand.

Once again I find Canadian packaging odd. Don't know why a car of this caliber does not come with a leather steering wheel as standard (after all it's one's contact point with the car).

Bring on the diesel. I'm curious to see what the diesel up charge and fuel economy numbers are.

[PJAvenger]

AWD + Turbo?  I'd sign up then

[Solstice2006]

"Japanese market, which is snapping up diesels at five times the expected rate"

I find this statement interesting and wonder if other manufacturers are listening. In a high tech land like Japan that one would expect electric cars to be taking off, it's the new diesels that are in demand.

Once again I find Canadian packaging odd. Don't know why a car of this caliber does not come with a leather steering wheel as standard (after all it's one's contact point with the car).

Bring on the diesel. I'm curious to see what the diesel up charge and fuel economy numbers are.

I hope Mazda doesn't do what GM has done with the Cruze, one trim only, between the LT-1SB and the LTZ.  I hope its offered across the board, in both manual and automatic.  Since the transmissions are new, with the diesel in mind, I don't suspect this being an issue. 

[Solstice2006]

AWD + Turbo?  I'd sign up then

You wouldn't happen to be the author Justin would you?  It's tough to know who is who sometimes, like the contributors with over 10,000 posts, some have wrote articles, some have not...

[canuckystan]

Looks like a winner - finally, a 6spd manual available at the highest of trim levels.  Great looking car too, I see this car in my future.

[Ace]

Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony braves winding roads, exquisite barbecue and sunny Texas weather to report on the new 2014 Mazda6.

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Jonathan, hope your sticky bbq fingers didn't get the car dirty.  This is most in depth first drive review I have read at Autos.ca.  Interesting information about the longest wheelbase amongst the competitors, but less legroom than some.  It's like where did all that space go?  The hood?  Is the seat fabric on the GX similar to any other Mazdas? Previous Mazda6?  (I liked the fabric in my 2008 Mazda6) same as CX-5?  Too bad that nice red can't be had in the GX... Another question, did Mazda mention why this is a 2014? When it came to Canada in January of 2013?


Anyway, great article Jonathan, now if I had to choose, the review yesterday of the Juke SL AWD for $31k with freight, or the Mazda6 GS Luxury for the same price...hmmm I may loose sleep over this...  We all know the icing on the cake would be when Mazda brings the diesel, if they offered a sport hatch (like the 1st generation Mazda6, or the upcoming BMW 3 series GT), or wagon.   The Mazdaspeed 6 AWD, had tons of reliabillity problems, so I am not asking for a turbo, or AWD!

Excellent article Jonathan, I look forward to testing the 2.2 Diesel this summer.
That's a tough choice Solstice, word has it that the Nissan Joke is "eager as a Playful puppy" and "a joy to drive"

[Solstice2006]

Excellent article Jonathan, I look forward to testing the 2.2 Diesel this summer.
That's a tough choice Solstice, word has it that the Nissan Joke is "eager as a Playful puppy" and "a joy to drive"

And don't forget it's beautiful right?

[JRM]

Now this is a vehicle worth wating for!  I agree that there should be a package on the GX for leather steering wheel, fog lights etc., but Mazda must be confident that buyers who want them will move up to the GS for an extra 4 grand.  I looked at a dark grey GX (not my fave color) at the dealership on the week end and it looked nowhere near as nice as the pics of red GT's I've seen.  Too bad the GX isn't offered in red, but again, Mazda must be confident that buyers will be willing to move up the the GS for the sporty red paint, even if they don't want all the other doodads included.  Pretty good marketing schemes!

If they bring over the wagon vesion to our shores, I could be persuaded to trade in my blue Golf wagon for one in red.

[OliverD]

Looks like a winner - finally, a 6spd manual available at the highest of trim levels.  Great looking car too, I see this car in my future.

In Canada, the 6 has always been available with a manual in all trim levels.

[OliverD]

I like most everything I hear about this car. I hope it looks as good in the flesh as it does in photo's.

Only disappointing thing so far is lack of Sun roof option on the GX. Last model 6 had the option for a Comfort package /sunroof on the base model. Now you need to move all the way up to the GS and take blind spot monitoring and a whole bunch of other crap.

The U.S. has it even worse, with a sunroof only being available in the top trim level (which is auto only to boot).

[dkaz]

Looks like a winner - finally, a 6spd manual available at the highest of trim levels.  Great looking car too, I see this car in my future.

The manual transmission was always offered in all trim levels of Mazda 6. The second generation V6s didn't have a manual but a 2.5L GT and a V6 GT was equipped the exact same. Now the V6 is dropped and just the Skyactiv 2.5L is available for now.

My dealer said November-December availability for the Skyactiv Diesel Mazda 6.