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Monday, May 30, 2011
Who says a family sedan has to be sedate? Amid a deep field of competitors, the 2011 Mazda 6 proves otherwise, with athletic performance and little in the way of sacrifice. In addition, sleek styling, comfort for full-sized adults, top safety scores and a price that won't break the bank all combine to make it a worthy choice.
Mazda prides itself in delivering an exhilarating driving experience, and even in the rather tame sedan segment, it manages to inject some personality into the mix. How much fun you'll have behind the wheel of the Mazda 6 largely depends on which engine you pick. The base four-cylinder is just fine for the daily commute, but the lively V6 certainly increases the grins per mile. Handling is admirable for every Mazda 6, and anyone can appreciate this car's spacious interior and large trunk. There's not much to complain about, with subpar fuel economy and the use of some chintzy plastics in the cabin being the car's only notable drawbacks.
That said, competition in the family sedan class has gotten more formidable with the introduction of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and the 2011 Kia Optima. Both trump the Mazda 6 in terms of price and features and are competitive in regard to performance, though they lack the interior space of the Mazda. Other top choices include the sporty Nissan Altima, the very impressive Ford Fusion and the stalwart Honda Accord. At the end of the day, there isn't a bad pick among these choices, and the 2011 Mazda 6 is certainly worth a look.
INTERIOR
The facelift interior has undergone a further refinement in materials for a higher quality feel. These include new chrome detailing with piano-black panelling, and chrome plating is newly added to knobs and switches that passengers use on a daily basis - for the climate control and audio dials, parking brake knob and the inner door handles. New piano-black is introduced for the audio and climate control panelling, the centre stack frame, around the shift gate and for the panel containing the steering wheel buttons.
There is also new surface finishing on all decorative panels - matte-silver coating for the standard model, and a silver-hairline finish in full-gloss look for the Sports Grade model. Completing the facelift interior updates are new line patterns in the upholstery of the seats, and newly-available brown leather for those looking for a premium feel.
There is also new surface finishing on all decorative panels - matte-silver coating for the standard model, and a silver-hairline finish in full-gloss look for the Sports Grade model. Completing the facelift interior updates are new line patterns in the upholstery of the seats, and newly-available brown leather for those looking for a premium feel.
The 2011 Mazda 6 features an interior that is attractive and modern in design. A gracefully arching center stack sweeps from the top of the dash down to the center console. Some of the controls, however, are a bit more complicated than those of its competitors. Red electroluminescent gauges further enhance the visual appeal, and the roomy backseat (even for 6-footers) is a definite plus. Legroom and headroom are plentiful in all seats, but the wide front seats might lack lateral support for narrower occupants.
Despite the Mazda 6's attractive design, some cheaper plastic materials are scattered throughout the cabin. Higher trim levels have odd black-and-silver-patterned flourishes that might be an acquired taste for some. Points are also deducted for the underperforming standard audio system, and even the upgraded Bose system could disappoint some listeners. On the plus side, the Mazda 6's 16.6-cubic-foot trunk is one of the biggest in its class, while the trunk's unobtrusive hinge mechanisms and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats further enhance cargo-hauling capabilities.
Despite the Mazda 6's attractive design, some cheaper plastic materials are scattered throughout the cabin. Higher trim levels have odd black-and-silver-patterned flourishes that might be an acquired taste for some. Points are also deducted for the underperforming standard audio system, and even the upgraded Bose system could disappoint some listeners. On the plus side, the Mazda 6's 16.6-cubic-foot trunk is one of the biggest in its class, while the trunk's unobtrusive hinge mechanisms and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats further enhance cargo-hauling capabilities.
EXTERIOR
New fog lamps bezels are introduced that are more pointed and lowing. These bezels frame an "inner eye" made up of a round fog lamp inside a lowing lower lid for a strong sense of refinement. There are also newly-designed headlamps , and an upper grille with a new winged Mazda logo that is black on all grades and body-coloured on the Sports Grade. Deeply etched character lines running up from the grille between the fenders and the bonnet complete the most athletic Mazda 6 front ever.
The winged motifs from the front are repeated by the rear combination lamps that have new chrome- plated winged decorations that make the lamps look wider and seem to low even further into the side panels. The lamps themselves are a combination of clear lenses and LEDs . Mazda 6 facelift also gets stylish new 17- and 18-inch aluminium wheel designs that twist slightly for a very sporty, three- dimensional look. These not only enhance the silhouette with a premium look, they are also one kilogram lighter than the wheels of the previous model.
Customers can choose between 10 body colours for the facelift, including two all-new colours to the Mazda line-up - Clear Water Blue Metallic , Midnight Bronze Mica - and two that are new to the Mazda 6 line-up - Graphite Mica and Black Mica.
The winged motifs from the front are repeated by the rear combination lamps that have new chrome- plated winged decorations that make the lamps look wider and seem to low even further into the side panels. The lamps themselves are a combination of clear lenses and LEDs . Mazda 6 facelift also gets stylish new 17- and 18-inch aluminium wheel designs that twist slightly for a very sporty, three- dimensional look. These not only enhance the silhouette with a premium look, they are also one kilogram lighter than the wheels of the previous model.
Customers can choose between 10 body colours for the facelift, including two all-new colours to the Mazda line-up - Clear Water Blue Metallic , Midnight Bronze Mica - and two that are new to the Mazda 6 line-up - Graphite Mica and Black Mica.
ENGINE
The 2.0-liter engine Atenza models, available in both the Sedan and Sport Wagon body types, have been updated with Mazda's direct injection MZR 2.0L DISI*1 gasoline engine. This engine provides plenty of power as well as outstanding fuel economy that exceeds Japan's "2010 fuel economy standard plus 15%." All grades equipped with a 2.0-liter engine qualify for Japan's eco-car incentive program and are subject to 50 percent less tax under the government's eco-car tax reduction program. Additionally, the entire Atenza range, including front-wheel drive (FWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) grades, qualify as Super-Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SU-LEV) by achieving exhaust emissions that are at least 75 percent lower than the levels set in the Japanese Government's 2005 exhaust emissions standard.
SAFETY
Standard safety features for all 2011 Mazda 6 models include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, both the i and s Grand Touring models came to a stop from 60 mph in about 125 feet.
The Mazda 6 has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) resulted in a perfect five-star rating for frontal and side-impact protection for all occupants. Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Mazda 6 its highest score of "Good" for frontal-offset and side impacts, while roof strength tests yielded a second-best "Acceptable" rating.
The Mazda 6 has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) resulted in a perfect five-star rating for frontal and side-impact protection for all occupants. Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Mazda 6 its highest score of "Good" for frontal-offset and side impacts, while roof strength tests yielded a second-best "Acceptable" rating.
reference:www.netcarshow.com,www.edmunds.com,www.rsportscars.com
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