What’s New?
The Mazda6 has been updated for 2007 with new trim; added standard content that includes anti-lock brakes, traction control, and side and side curtain air bags; as well as two new exterior colors—Smokestone and Violet Gray. A new Sport VE (Value Edition) is offered with 17-inch wheels; a sport grille; side sills; a power driver’s seat; a 6-disc CD changer; and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake lever.

Overview
The Mazda6 is a midsize, front-wheel-drive car that was launched in 2003 and extensively updated for the 2007 model year. It is available as a 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback, or 5-door sports wagon; all are known for their very sporty driving dynamics—dynamics that are taken to the extreme in the high-performance Mazdaspeed6 variation that comes with all-wheel drive.

The base engine is a 156-hp, 2.3-liter 4-cylinder that is used in the i Sport, i Sport VE, i Touring, and i Grand Touring sedan and hatchback. A 212-hp V-6 propels the s Sport VE, s Touring, and s Grand Touring sedan and hatchback as well as the s Sport Value Edition, s Touring, and s Grand Touring wagons. Even the wagons are available with manual transmissions.

The Mazda6 seats five, comes with a standard AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers, and offers an optional in-dash 6-CD changer, MP3, or MiniDisc player. The Grand Touring versions get a 200-watt Bose sound system and also can be equipped with a voice-activated DVD satellite navigation system. The sport wagon provides 33.7 cubic feet of cargo area with the second-row seat upright and 60.4 cubic feet with the seat folded flat.

The high-performance Mazdaspeed6 5-door draws its energy from a 270-hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and comes standard with all-wheel drive to help put that power to use. A 6-speed manual or automatic transmission is available. The Mazdspeed6 also features special fenders, front and rear fascia, hood, grille, rear spoiler, and side sills; sport bucket seats; standard Bose audio; stainless-steel interior trim; and aluminum pedals.

The Competition
The Mazda6 competes in the Midsize Conventional segment, which consists of 18 models. Buyers in this segment look for reliability, fuel economy, and performance, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Toyota Camry (397,630 units sold), Honda Accord (354,441), and Nissan Altima (232,457). The Mazda6 sold 66,203 units in 2006, a decrease of 7.3 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Conventional segment include the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, and Subaru Legacy. Joining the segment in 2007 is the Saturn Aura.