Please help our support of SMARTRISK by purchasing a 2010 Kenzie Car Calendar.
2003 Mazda 6
With Honda, Nissan and Toyota all re-designing their mid-size cars, it was time for Mazda to step up to the plate. On this edition of Test Drive, we take a look at the all-new Mazda 6. The question is: will this car remain the poor relation the 626 was or do Mazda have a home run on their hands.
For better or worse, the Mazda 626 lived in the shadows cast by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, which is why the new 6 is of such vital importance to Mazda. The look is certainly right, with its bold exterior speaking to its sporty pretensions. Powering Mazda's hopes are a pair of engines - a 2.3L four and the 3.0L V6 featured in the test car. Both benefit from sequential variable valve timing. In the case of the four, the design yields 160 horsepower and 152 pounds-feet of torque, which is up to snuff. However, the six bumps production to 220 ponies and a worthwhile 192 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm. The engine is smooth, remarkably quiet and the power strong - especially when matched with the five-speed manual gearbox. That, however, is not to say the automatic disappoints.
Not only does the automatic transmission feature 5 forward speeds, it also gets a good manu-matic mode. You can downshift or up shift as the mood takes you. While not the most powerful player in the segment, the 6 has enough to satisfy the frugal at heart as well as family-oriented adrenaline junkies.
The interior execution of the Mazda 6 is as good as the rest of the car. First of all, you get tilt and telescopic steering. Add to that the power seat, and finding the right driving position is a piece of cake. You also get a very attractive center stack that features buttons that are large enough to operate with a gloved hand, which is a refreshing departure from the norm. The one part that I'm not overly sure about is the fabric on the seats. It has the consistency of a lint brush. On the one hand, it keeps you glued during those enthusiastic moments, on the other: it collects all the lint the car can find.
The new platform is considerably stiffer than the previous 626, which gives the totally revised suspension a solid base of operations. Up front, the 6 uses a double wishbone design, while a modified version of the old 929's E-link suspension supports the rear. Why use a former rear drive suspension in a front drive car? Simple, when the wagon is eventually launched, it will have an all-wheel drive option.
Now considering the front wheel drive platform, this new Mazda 6 is remarkably neutral and nothing short of superb. Part of the reason boils down to the rear suspension design. As it has a degree of compliance built in, it takes away a lot of the under steer from the Mazda 6's personality. In short, this thing is right up there with the BMW Mini, the best front driver I've ever driven.
In a nutshell, it's the equivalent of putting a $50,000 suspension under a $25,000 car, and this happened because the platform and suspension will be used in other vehicles - rumour says the next Volvo S60 and Jaguar X-Type. As Jackie Gleason would say; "how sweet it is."
Stopping power comes from a 4-wheel disc brake design that is equipped with an anti-lock system that includes electronic brake force distribution. Throwing out the anchor yields a stopping distance of just 102 feet from 80 K. The nice part is that the pedal is progressive and therefore easy to modulate. The system also sees double duty, forming part of the traction control system and optional dynamic stability control system.
As for the rear environment, well, there is enough space under the front seat for your toes, plenty of knee room, and a ton of headroom. The only thing you got to watch is the fast roofline; you have to duck to get out. Around at the back, you get a nice trunk design. First of all, a low lift over, 430 liters of space for your junk, as well as 70/30 rear split folding seats and cantilever hinges. They make a difference because unlike the hockey stick style hinges, they don't crush anything that is left in the corner: it's been executed very well.
On the safety front, the Mazda 6 takes several key steps forward. New dual-stage front air bags that have the ability to customize their deployment by using a Crash Zone Sensor at the front of the vehicle to determine the type and severity of the impact. It then signals the control module, which then deploys the air bags in the most prudent manner. There are also a pair of standard seat-mounted side air bags and optional, drop-down side curtain air bags.
This new 6 is really the home run Mazda so desperately needed. And whilst it's not the most powerful in class, you're never left wanting. It also runs rings around the competition when it comes to handling. As for the rest of the car: I'm just going to say it's the new class of the category.
2003 Mazda6 $24, 295 - $34, 060
Tire Tally
Performance - 4
Ride/ handling - 4
Interior 4
Touchy/ feely/ cargo - 4
Safety - 4
Bang for the $$ - 5
Immediate Competition
Honda Accord
Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry
Have an automotive related question? The Motoring team is here to help. Check back for the latest info and tips, your submissions might even make it on the air! Stay tuned! (Please note that inquiries will be answered at random)