THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Wed, Jun 10, 2009
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Year in and year out, the family sedan market remains the most hotly contested
in the land of milk and honey. For those that view cars as nothing more than an
appliance, the radar screen doesn't veer much beyond a Camry or an Accord. But
the list of very good offerings in this class is quite large, and the consumer
that takes the time to consider the roads less traveled will likely be rewarded
with a more interesting product.
Take, for instance, the newest Mazda6 Touring sedan that I recently spent time
in. By virtually any qualitative measure, it is the equal of the Camry and
Accord. What sets the Mazda6 apart, however, is its bodywork. To this mind's
eyes, it is the handsomest family sedan currently being offered in this country.
The careful attention to aesthetic integrity is most prominently seen in the
Mazda6's exterior sheet metal. However, the interior surfaces also received
plenty of attention. Our sample had a tasteful cloth and leather combination
that was attractive, despite being far from the most expensive interior option
offered.
The new Mazda6 is not small by any means, but our 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-equipped
car manages to bring in an EPA rating of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30
on the highway. For a car of this size, it's no small feat - particularly since
we're talking about the real-world adjusted ratings that the EPA now uses for
mileage. If you want to strive for even better mileage, you can work the manual
mode on the automatic transmission and be rewarded with a sportier drive to
boot.
Government safety ratings? It's five stars across the board - frontal crash
driver, frontal crash passenger, side crash front seat, side crash rear seat,
and rollover. That's according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. That is pretty remarkable.
So, the next time your friend or relative asks you for advice on a new car, tell
'em to take off their blinders, re-calibrate the radar screen, and see what's
really out there. Yeah, Robert Frost may tell you it may not make all that much
of a difference in the end. On the other hand, we already have an ocean of
appliances on the highways and byways of Southern California. Consider it your
contribution to the community beautification project.
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Reliable evidence that family sedans don't have to be boring.
For more information about Mazda products, go to
www.mazdausa.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of vehicle:
2009 Mazda6 i Touring
Price:
$22,605 base
$26,745, as tested, with dual-zone auto air conditioning, auto on/off xenon
headlights, rain-sensing wipers, welcome lighting system, moonroof, Bose audio
system, blind spot monitoring system, cloth + leather seating surfaces,
Bluetooth audio & phone-ready, six-disc CD changer, and Sirius satellite radio.
EPA fuel economy rating (city/highway):
21/30 miles per gallon
Engine:
2.5-liter DOHC, 16-valve with variable-vale timing in-line-four
Horsepower:
170 @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
167 pound-feet @ 4000 rpm
Transmission:
Five-speed automatic with sequential manual mode
Drive configuration:
Front-wheel drive
Suspension:
Four-wheel independent with front & rear stabilizer bars and dynamic stability
control
Brakes:
Four-wheel disc with anti-lock brake system, electronic brake distribution, and
traction control
Wheels and tires:
17-inch alloy wheels with P215SR17 tires
Dimensions
Length: 193.7 inches
Height: 57.9 inches
Width: 72.4 inches
Curb weight: 3309 pounds