As the best-selling vehicle in the manufacturer’s lineup, the Mazda6 is part of arguably the most competitive car segment, family sedans.
For 2017, the 16th year of the vehicle, the Mazda6 continues its strong market position. It’s a performance-oriented option among iconic more tradition rivals like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima.
Key Takeaways
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and a six-speed automatic.
- $30,695 MSRP and $34,530 as tested for the Grand Touring trim.
- 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds; 27 mpg city and 35 highway.
- Premium Package ($2,500) adds Nappa leather seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a black headliner.
- Acceleration: Acceleration seems peppier than the car’s specs, largely because of the sport-oriented tuning and responsive steering.
- Safety: Rated “Top Safety Pick+” for 2017 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
Equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower, the 2017 Mazda6 has a six-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration seems peppier than the car’s specs, largely because of the sport-oriented tuning and responsive steering.
While technically a family sedan, the Mazda6’s sporty persona is further exemplified by its cornering precision and lack wind and road noise at all speeds.
My weekly driver was the top-line Grand Touring trim. Its GT Premium Package features regenerative brakes and active grille shutters to conserve fuel. Mazda says the features add about one mile to gas mileage averages.
The Premium Package ($2,500) also includes Nappa leather seats, heated rear seats (heated front seats are standard), a heated steering wheel with upgraded stitching, and a black headliner.
The standard equipment is lengthy on all trims and includes items like heated side mirrors and other features available as options in some competitors’ models.
With its spacious two-tone interior, well-positioned and comfortable seating, the Mazda6 joins an ever-growing list of recently reviewed vehicles that nearly immediately present the comfort of a family room on wheels. And unlike some family sedans, the car’s sporty, angular exterior design, particularly when adorned with machine gray metallic paint, attracts attention.
What Others Say: “At its core, the 2017 Mazda 6 is a competent, comfortable and sensible midsize family sedan. When you add in a strong performance, plenty of driver engagement and.” edmunds.com. “If your practical side needs a sedan that does usual sedan duties, but your heart craves something that quickens its pulse when the road curves, the solution. kelly blue book.
2017 Mazda6 Verdict
The new Mazda6 also has a host of safety and security features, tire pressure monitoring to smart city brake support. It’s an automatic braking system at speeds of 20 mph or less. There’s also a lane departure warning and lane keep assist. The latter feature is sensitive and required a learning curve. I first thought the wheels were out of adjustment when the feature engaged, but the safety component is beneficial, of course.
With its siblings, the Mazda CX-3 and Mazda3, the Mazda6 is rated by the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as “Top Safety Pick+” for 2017.
Categorizing the 2017 Mazda6 as family sedan does it a disservice. It’s more performance-oriented than the segment’s definition. Hey, Honda, Toyota and Nissan, the Mazda6 is approaching quickly in your respective rear view mirrors.
Facts & Figures: 2017 Mazda6
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $30,695 |
| As-Tested Price | $34,530 |
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 184 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| 0-60 mph | 7.6 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; powertrain 6 yr/60,000 mi; corrosion 5 yr/unlimited; roadside assistance 3 yr/36,000 mi |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.