2014 Mazda 6

[nikolatesla]

Saw this yesterday at the MIAS. A very beautiful car (especially the soul red metallic) inside and out. Nicely priced too for what you're getting. Until I tried to get into the driver's seat. The entry was narrow and the roofline too low. I couldn't believe how difficult it was getting into a car that size. Getting into a Toyota Vios or Honda City was easier. I'm not even that tall (5'8") but getting in and out of this car will be a tedious daily chore. Sigh

[Retz]

^

I'm quite surprised sir knownig that mazda 6 is a mid size sedan, it should be spacious compare to a vios or city.

[jut703]

The Mazda 6 turned out to be the best thing about this year's MIAS, at least for me.



Without mincing words, this is the best midsize sedan under 2M.

The Mazda 6's exterior, put simply, is beautiful. It's not large and stately like a Camry or Accord, but is instead sleek and svelte. The large 19" rims and twin tail pipes complement the menacing Kodo design language for an unabashedly sporty look. Unlike the Sonata, the curves and creases of the Mz6 look more timeless and elegant. Senior folks may not appreciate the design, but anyone with youthfulness still flowing in their veins would surely like how the Mazda 6 looks.



The interior of 6 is rather minimalistic, and is certainly more subtle than the curve-filled Sonata or the wood-bathed Camry. Looks similar to the CX-5, with a bit more luxury as you'd expect. My first impression upon entering the car was that it's interior wouldn't look out of place in a German sedan. Instead of faux wood or carbon fiber, you get polished plastic tinged with dark maroon running through the length of the dashboard. The touch screen head unit might not be the easiest to use while driving, but for quick adjustments to the volume or music track, it's best to use the steering wheel-mounted switches anyway. Seats are well bolstered, but certainly not hard. If you prefer to be chauffeur-driven, the Camry's still the more appropriate choice, but I wouldn't mind being in the 6's back seat all day long if I had to. Space isn't class-leading for a midsize sedan, but is certainly larger than what you'd get from a compact car. With the driver's seat adjusted for my driving position, my brother still had around half a foot of knee room at the back.



When I finally got to drive the Mazda 6, the first thing I noticed was that the steering was light. Unusually light. For a comfort-oriented cruiser like the Altis or Accent, this is okay, but it felt out of place in a sporty midsize sedan. Fortunately, it does get heavier at speed, but feedback still isn't all that great. Thankfully, that's about the only thing that I could fault for the 6's drive. The transmission is great - mash the throttle and it'll get find the right gear for you in no time. If you're one to shift gears yourself via the paddles, you'd be happy to know that unlike a lot of other paddle shift mechanisms, this one doesn't lag and is perfectly useful in spirited driving. Engine response is what you'd come to expect from any modern Mazda - good power throughout the rev range that carries the car's heft very well. I mentioned earlier that the steering was a bit underwhelming, but thankfully, the 6 is still lots of fun in the corners thanks to its balanced chassis. Even when negotiating a roundabout at speed, the 6 was composed and predictable. You'd know when the car is at the limit (the wide tires also plays a part in this) and it seems to like being pushed there, with the tail even coming out ever so slightly. Best thing about it was that it felt much more nimble than what it's size suggests, unlike the large, floaty feeling you'd get from the Sonata or Camry. Of course, you can't expect a plush, soft ride in car with suspension biased to be sporty, but my passengers never complained about the ride being too bumpy or stiff.

I also got to try out the i-eloop and i-stop features,and it was nice that they actually worked. As long as the i-stop icon on the instrument cluster is lit green, the car would shut its engine off when you make a complete stop (whether you stay in D or shift to N). All electrical components would continue to run, though the airconditioning was noticeably weaker. It's similar to having the car left in ACC mode. Unlike most other cars though, the car starts up instantaneously when you step on the accelerator to get going. As amusing as the i-stop feature was, it only worked for as long as the alternator would allow. My run with the car gave me about 30 seconds worth of i-stop goodness, after which the engine would fire up again even if you were still stopped.

All in all, I'd gladly take the Mazda 6 over its competitors (Sonata 2.4 GLS Premium, Camry 2.5V, Accord 2.4S). The 1.7M sticker price makes it slightly more expensive than the Camry, but I think it's worth it if you want a fast, fun, pretty, and luxurious sedan.

[Retz]

^

sabi sakn nung SA with the skyactive technology in the new Mazda 6, pag nag brake ka, engine automatically decrease its power output.

[germs]

Saw this yesterday at the MIAS. A very beautiful car (especially the soul red metallic) inside and out. Nicely priced too for what you're getting. Until I tried to get into the driver's seat. The entry was narrow and the roofline too low. I couldn't believe how difficult it was getting into a car that size. Getting into a Toyota Vios or Honda City was easier. I'm not even that tall (5'8") but getting in and out of this car will be a tedious daily chore. Sigh

You should have adjusted the seats before getting in.

[JohnM]

You should have adjusted the seats before getting in.

The front entrance really takes a bit of getting used to. Medyo mababa ang roof and inclined (IIRC) ang B-pillar. When I tried it the seat was adjusted way back I couldn't reach the pedals (5'6" with admittedly short legs ). Kung sanay sa Vios or City with their upright seating positions nakakapanibago nga. That's a chore I'd be pretty willing to perform everyday though

[renzo_d10]

As always, the Mazda 6 looks jawdropping.

The rear tail lights look undoubtedly similar to the Sonata's though.

Sent from my 3210 using Tapatalk HD Premium

[germs]

The front entrance really takes a bit of getting used to. Medyo mababa ang roof and inclined (IIRC) ang B-pillar. When I tried it the seat was adjusted way back I couldn't reach the pedals (5'6" with admittedly short legs ). Kung sanay sa Vios or City with their upright seating positions nakakapanibago nga. That's a chore I'd be pretty willing to perform everyday though

This may be true but since it's a test drive event, the person who test drove the car before you/him might be even smaller, so the previous driver would have adjusted everything in such a way that it'll be cramped for a bigger person. Was there to test drive also and I had a hard time getting in because of the reasons stated.

Anyway, paddle shifters felt "bitin" because of the speed limit, had to go around MOA area to stretch the 6's legs a little bit.

[JohnM]

This may be true but since it's a test drive event, the person who test drove the car before you/him might be even smaller, so the previous driver would have adjusted everything in such a way that it'll be cramped for a bigger person. Was there to test drive also and I had a hard time getting in because of the reasons stated.

I meant when I got in the seat was already adjusted all the way to the back. I had to move it quite a ways forward to reach the pedals.

Sanayan lang siguro. When I drove a '97 Civic last week medyo hirap din ako pumasok. Nasanay na kasi sa upright seating ng Vios. It's not a minus against the 6. As I said I'll happily do that chore every day

[Retz]

may nakapag reserve na ba sa inyo? I think this was release just last wednesday.