Mazda have announced pricing for the extensively refreshed Mazda6 and CX-5 for 2016. The Mazda6 in its current guise was launched two years ago to the sound of “ooooohs” and “ahhhhhhhhs”, not to mention the raft of awards thrown at it – including the fiercely coveted 2014 AJAC Canadian Car of the Year award. Mazda, with a clear understanding of its Canadian market, have announced the inclusion of some pretty top-shelf features with the refresh.
Standard for all 2016 Mazda6 models is, first and foremost, heated rear seats – an industry first for this segment. Calling shotgun has been made redundant. An electronic parking brake tidies up the centre console – a few of us will lament the loss of an e-brake handle to pull when it’s shenanigans time, but most will appreciate it. A new and updated 7-inch colour touchscreen display with their excellent HMI Commander, a second USB port for your charging needs, and a manual passenger seat height adjuster rounds out the new standard features. The interior design is also updated with a revised centre console for for your HVAC controls due to the extra room afforded by the electronic parking brake.
Photo Courtesy of Mazda Canada
In a world where the manual transmission is going through its death throes, leave it to Mazda to continue to offer the Mazda6 with a six-speed manual transmission. If you’re not interested in rowing your own, the fantastic SkyActiv six-speed automatic with drive selection switch makes a return.
Along with the new standard features mentioned earlier, the $24,695 entry-level trim Mazda6 GX also features standard equipment like push-button start, 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, LED taillights, cruise control, Bluetooth audio and heated front seats.
Moving up to the $27,995 mid-level GS trim adds a dual-zone automatic climate control, rear HVAC to go along with those fancy heated rear seats, advanced keyless entry system, rearview camera, 6-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, and of course Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Not too shabby for $27,995. A $3,000 Luxury Package option adds leather seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, power driver lumbar support, voice-activated navigation system, and a moonroof.
Photo Courtesy of Mazda Canada
Stepping up to their $32,895 flagship GT trim gets you all of the above plus a new front bumper and grille with illumination, LED headlights, LED fog lights, Active Driving Display (head-up display), LED interior lighting, and power passenger seat height adjuster. Carryover features for the Mazda6 GT are 19-inch alloy wheels, Bose premium audio system with 11 speakers, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) with automatic leveling, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror and driver side exterior mirror, memory driver seat, and 6-way power passenger seat.
As mentioned before, all trims are available with a six-speed manual.
The excellent CX-5 receives updates to its front bumper, grille, and fog light design, along with a standard electronic parking brake. The entry-level GX still starts at $22,995. The optional Convenience Package will run you $1,900 and now includes the excellent Mazda infotainment system and HMI Commander, paired with a 7-inch touchscreen display, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, Bluetooth audio, steering wheel infotainment controls, and HD radio.
If you want the bigger 2.5L engine, you’ll need the mid-level GS trim, which starts at $29,245. You get all the features from the GX and 6-speed automatic transmission becomes standard equipment. Other standard equipment in the GS trim includes a power moonroof, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, rearview camera and more. The GS Luxury Package is available for another $1,900. This gives you leather seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, power driver side lumbar support, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
All-wheel-drive is available on the GX and GS trims for another $2,000.
The flagship GT trim starts at $34,895. For the first time the GT rocks LED headlights, LED fog lights, LED taillights, Adaptive Front Lighting System with auto-levelling, and a voice-activated navigation system. The GT also includes new 19-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel drive, advanced keyless entry, Bose premium audio with 9 speakers, dual zone automatic climate control, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink.
The Technology Package is available for $2,100. This contains Mazda’s suite of i-ACTIVSENSE safety equipment, which consists of Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), High Beam Control (HBC), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and – new for 2016 – Smart Brake Support (SBS). The Technology Package also includes SiriusXM® Satellite Radio.
Basically, for under $40,000 you have an extremely well-equipped CX-5 with all the bells and whistles that matter. Combine that with its excellent driving dynamics and you have a vehicle that any reasonable human would enjoy owning.
