Flash Drive

2016 Mazda6

June 22, 2016 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2016 Mazda6i Grand Touring

The 2016 Mazda6 GT is a handsome, very well balanced mid-size sport sedan that's economical and fun to drive.
The 2016 Mazda6 GT is a handsome, very well balanced mid-size sport sedan that’s economical and fun to drive.

Engine: 2.5-liter I-4 gas, 184 horsepower 185 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 28/City—40/Highway—32/Combined

Base Price: $30,195

As Tested: $33,695

Performance:

Excellent, responsive engine and transmission

Quite lively in Sport mode

Taut, but smooth handling

Fun to drive

The Mazda6 GT looks great from all angles.
The Mazda6 GT looks great from all angles.

Blind spot monitor

Lane departure warning

Adaptive braking

Rear cross traffic alert

Traction control

Hill launch assist

Comfort:

Excellent, stretch-out front seating

Leather trimmed sport seats

Very good headroom

Thick, slightly contoured leather steering wheel

Tilt/telescopic steering column

Good auxiliary controls

Driver power lumbar support

Front seat room, comfort and controls are all excellent.
Front seat room, comfort and controls are all excellent.

Three temperature heated front seats

High quality interior materials and execution

Big adults fit in back seat if fronts are up slightly

Seatbacks are recessed for added knee room

Fine rear headroom and under seat shoe room

Tall, wide floor hump affects middle seating position

Easy rear door ingress/egress

Utility:

Wonderful heads-up display, although small

Outboard rear seating positions are fine, but the center spot is hampered by the large floor tunnel.
Outboard rear seating positions are fine, but the center spot is hampered by the large floor tunnel.

Rain sensing wipers

Bright interior lighting

Large, non-locking glovebox

Medium size front door bins

Medium size console bin

Nice infotainment/navigation control knob on console

Soft, wide armrest with two cupholders

Split rear seat folds pretty flat

No height difference between folded seat and trunk floor

Large, wide trunk (15 cubic feet)

Flat trunk floor

Two deeper bins on trunk perimeters

Large pass-through portal

Heated side mirrors

WOW Factors:

Excellent suite of safety features

Handsome 19-inch alloy wheels enhance the sporty nature of the Mazda6.
Handsome 19-inch alloy wheels enhance the sporty nature of the Mazda6.

Handsome styling, sharp alloy wheels

Impressive EPA fuel economy numbers

Skyactiv Technology works great

Excellent value

A joy to drive

Available 6-speed manual transmission

Whines:

Noticeable trunk lift-over height

Oversize rear floor tunnel

Bottom Line:

The 2016 Mazda6i Grand Touring is a wonderful mid-size sedan that proves spirited driving, a comfortable interior, high technology, and a strong design sense aren’t limited to expensive luxury brand sport sedans. The Grand Touring is more expensive and luxurious than the Sport and Touring models, but the core attributes are found across the board. The Mazda6 is a class benchmark.