A very few family sedans can be described as “”fun to drive”” and Mazda 6 is one of them. The 6’s optional 3.7L V6 engine tops most of the family sedans in horsepower and torque. The 6 handles very well and even got the perfect 5-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The sporty styling makes it stand out from the crowd. Mazda 6 is very roomy and well-equipped. The Interior quality is pretty good too. The trunk is huge (16.6 cu. ft) and the 60/40 split seatbacks fold down flat with the trunk floor. Interestingly, the North American Mazda 6 is longer and wider than the same model sold in other markets. Pre-owner Mazda 6 models are not very expensive. The 6 is fairly reliable and doesn’t cost a lot to maintain. Are there any downsides? How is the gas mileage? What are the common problems? Let’s take a closer look, starting from the engines.
Mazda 6 interior
2011 Mazda 6 interior
Mazda 6 2.5L 4-cylinder engine
Mazda 6 2.5L 4-cylinder engine
Engine: The 170-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 DOHC is available with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Overall, it’s a proven reliable workhorse; it’s used in many Mazda and Ford vehicles.
The 272-hp 3.7-liter V6 comes only with the 6-speed automatic. This engine is also mostly trouble-free. Both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines have a maintenance-free timing chain; there is no timing belt to worry about.
Handling and ride: Handling is where the Mazda 6 excels. It holds the road well with minimal body roll in corners. The steering is precise and well-weighted. The ride is firm, but compliant. The 2.5L engine is overall a decent performer and pulls lively off the line. The 3.7L V6 is very strong. The 0-to-60 time for the V6 is just over 6.0 seconds. The V6 Mazda 6 feels very solid and exceptionally stable on the road. On the downside, some road and tire noise are noticeable.
Safety: Anti-lock brakes (ABS) and stability control (DSC) are standard. Late models offer an optional Blind Spot Monitoring system that warns the driver about vehicles approaching from the rear to the left and right of the car. The 2009 and 2010 Mazda 6 have earned a perfect five-star rating in the NHTSA crash tests, including five stars for rollover resistance. In the new, more rigorous crash tests introduced by the NHTSA from 2011, the 2012 and 2013 Mazda 6 scored 4 stars overall.
Reliability and common problems: We checked many sources and so far, the 2009-2013 Mazda 6 doesn’t really have that many problems. Consumer Reports rates the 2009 and newer Mazda 6 ‘above average’ for reliability. Common issues are mostly minor. Many owners report that the front brakes wear fast. Corrosion at the battery terminals can cause some electrical issues.
There are some reports about minor issues with the push-button start system where a faulty keyless remote transmitter may cause intermittent no-start condition. A faulty purge valve can cause the check engine light to come on. Several owners mentioned that the dashboard material becomes very soft and ‘melts’ on hot sunny days. A faulty lock actuator at one of the doors can cause an alarm to go off randomly. Your dealer can check which door has triggered the alarm and possibly replace the door lock actuator. Low-beam headlight bulbs go bad often. Corroded valve stems of the tire pressure sensors can cause tires to lose air. All these are fairly minor problems; major components such as the engine, transmission and chassis components are mostly trouble-free.
EPA Fuel Economy: MPG
city/hwy L/100 km
Fuel economy: The 4-cylinder Mazda 6 gas mileage is about average for the class. With a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission Mazda 6 gets up to 444 miles (710 km) on a 18.5-gallon tank (70 liters). The V6 is even thirstier. See the table.
Pros: Sporty styling, handling, above-average reliability, interior space, large trunk, powerful optional V6, reasonable price on the used car market, easy to modify.
Cons: Average fuel economy, seats are pretty firm, road noise, front brakes wear fast.
Overall: If you want a used family sedan that is roomy, reliable and fun to drive, Mazda 6 is a good match. Don’t miss out on the V6 Mazda 6 if you want a lot of power. Added weight of the V6 engine also provides better traction on snowy and icy roads. An extended warranty may offer a peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
Similar cars: Competitors include Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata. The Camry is more reliable and is known for its very comfortable and quiet ride. It also offers better highway gas mileage. Nissan Altima handles well too and gets better city gas mileage, but it’s a bit smaller. Honda Accord is an overall excellent car, but it’s priced a bit higher. Chevrolet Malibu is also better on gas; it handles well and rides comfortably, but the reliability is not better than average.
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