Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Mazda6

[Autos_Editor]

 A mild refresh makes ahighly enjoyable mid-sizer even better.
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[SKYMTL]

The white on black color scheme on the test vehicle is stunning IMO.  I'd say the exterior actually looks better in person than it does in pictures. 

I know its a pie-in-the-sky dream but I wish Mazda would bring the wagon version here. 

[Danno001]

The Mazda maintenance requirements (if they remain as is) leave me cold on the brand.

4 months or 6,000 kms on oil changes - like really ?

[dkaz]

The Mazda maintenance requirements (if they remain as is) leave me cold on the brand.

4 months or 6,000 kms on oil changes - like really ?

Correction, 8,000km or 4 months.

[OliverD]

The article should note that most of the tech features that are mentioned are not standard, and that a six-speed manual is also available in this model.

I really like the updates to this car. There's no question that this car is a huge improvement over the somewhat lackluster North America-only second generation 6. And it's been reasonably successful in the U.S. but it just can't seem to sell well in Canada and that's unfortunate.

[Slow_lane]

The Mazda maintenance requirements (if they remain as is) leave me cold on the brand.

4 months or 6,000 kms on oil changes - like really ?

Correction, 8,000km or 4 months.

You're not serious? I do not even put 10K a year on each of our cars. I be changing oil every 3K. That is nuts!!!

To make matter worse I always run synthetic so this would cost me a fortune.

[Noto]

And it's been reasonably successful in the U.S. but it just can't seem to sell well in Canada and that's unfortunate.

Define "reasonably"?  It's the 37th best-selling vehicle in the US, having sold 26,975 YTD (up 2.2%), compared to the #1 Camry at 178,408 (an 11.6% decrease since last year!).  Hell, even the Chrysler 200 has sold 88,009 this year (up 537%...I love stats sometimes ).

It's simply a case of relatively unknown name, expensive for what it is ($37k could get you a fully-loaded CX-5 with AWD!!!), and not huge interior given the exterior size.  What's worse, and I'll constantly say it, is the outward visibility.  It simply does not make for an easy car to drive around.

I had a longer write-up, which can be found here.

[EV-Light]

The Mazda maintenance requirements (if they remain as is) leave me cold on the brand.

4 months or 6,000 kms on oil changes - like really ?

Correction, 8,000km or 4 months.

What? are you serious?....I'd hate to show up at the dealership every 4 months, it's such a pain.

[OliverD]

And it's been reasonably successful in the U.S. but it just can't seem to sell well in Canada and that's unfortunate.

Define "reasonably"?  It's the 37th best-selling vehicle in the US, having sold 26,975 YTD (up 2.2%), compared to the #1 Camry at 178,408 (an 11.6% decrease since last year!).  Hell, even the Chrysler 200 has sold 88,009 this year (up 537%...I love stats sometimes ).

It's simply a case of relatively unknown name, expensive for what it is ($37k could get you a fully-loaded CX-5 with AWD!!!), and not huge interior given the exterior size.  What's worse, and I'll constantly say it, is the outward visibility.  It simply does not make for an easy car to drive around.

I had a longer write-up, which can be found here.

It's been successful for Mazda in that its sales are up significantly. Last year was its best year since 2007 and up 22% over 2013. Year to date it's up another 22% (not 2.2%).

[Jaeger]

With less "Sky" and more "Activ" under the hood, this thing would be my outright fave in the midsize class.  Still the best looking exterior with no close second, IMO. Love the white on black interior colour scheme - reminds me a bit of the optional panda interior on the old Speed 6.  But for heavens sake ditch the ridiculous and cheap-looking pop-up screen.  Might as well have a Garmin suction-cupped onto your windshield if you are willing to live with something so poorly integrated into the cockpit.

[Wildsau]

The article should note that most of the tech features that are mentioned are not standard, and that a six-speed manual is also available in this model.

I really like the updates to this car. There's no question that this car is a huge improvement over the somewhat lackluster North America-only second generation 6. And it's been reasonably successful in the U.S. but it just can't seem to sell well in Canada and that's unfortunate.

Sorry, I should have clarified that. Standard in the GT are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, backup camera, heads-up display and adaptive headlights. The following tech features are part of the $2800 Technology package: smart city brake support, forward obstruction warning, radar cruise control and lane departure warning.

My review did mention that a manual is available across the whole line and that I'd driven a manual and liked it.

[Noto]

It's been successful for Mazda in that its sales are up significantly. Last year was its best year since 2007 and up 22% over 2013. Year to date it's up another 22% (not 2.2%).

You're correct.  May over April is 2.2%, but 2015 to 2014 YTD is 21.9%.

Still, I don't gauge success by virtue of % change.  I view it by virtue of market domination ("muahahahaha!")share, and Mazda does not take a serious bite out of any mid-size sales in that respect.  Whereas the Camry is immensely profitable for Toyota, I'm not so certain that the 6 is for Mazda.

[whaddaiknow]

Very nice car. But I won't buy it.
At this price, it'd better be nice and there are pretty darn good options in the $35-40k bracket.
Oil change every 4 moths? That's plain ridiculous. F'get it.
No 220HP+ option? It's North 'Murica. F'get it.

[OliverD]

No 220HP+ option? It's North 'Murica. F'get it.

Very few people buy the high powered versions of family sedans.

[Danno001]

You're not serious? I do not even put 10K a year on each of our cars. I be changing oil every 3K. That is nuts!!!

To make matter worse I always run synthetic so this would cost me a fortune.

My son puts about 6,000 kms on a year on his 2010 Mazda 3. Work and university are close .

Figure that math on OCIs. lol.

[ktm525]

All hat and no cattle. Not enough motor.

[whaddaiknow]

No 220HP+ option? It's North 'Murica. F'get it.

Very few people buy the high powered versions of family sedans.

I was speaking for myself.
On top of that, SkyActiv - as good as it sounds - will it last 300,000km or will it blow up after 100k? Tried, true, and known to be excellent is the name of the game in the middle class car/income category.

The only (significant) competitive advantage the 6 offers over the competition is its universally praised looks.

[sszoomzoom]

The Mazda maintenance requirements (if they remain as is) leave me cold on the brand.

4 months or 6,000 kms on oil changes - like really ?

Correction, 8,000km or 4 months.

What? are you serious?....I'd hate to show up at the dealership every 4 months, it's such a pain.

During my check yesterday at the Mazda dealership I asked the service guy why is it 4 months or 8000 km for Mazda and his answer was because when Mazda did the test they noticed that after 4 months regardless of mileage the oil was dirty. I asked him how come other brands don't have this kind of aggressive oil change his reply was that Mercedes is changing to match Mazda. What a load of BS.
Does anybody know why they have this interval?
I told the guy that there is no way I can follow that and he said sure.

[AutoAym]

I'd love to consider this car as I love the look of it and I've been really liking what Mazda as a brand has been doing with their cars.
But I do long-distance commuting every day on single-lane highways and the lack of a 200+HP engine option is just a deal-killer for me. 

[Danno001]

Does anybody know why they have this interval?

I assume it is to allow dealer to make more $ when car is in the shop to upsell the customer.
DI engines may need more frequent OCI due to fuel dilution but this service mandate was in place before DI was introduced by Mazda.

My 2013 Sonata has a 6,000 km OCI requirement. I change my own oil to avoid the dreaded dealer experience.
The OCI requirement is the only reason I would not buy Hyundai again.