Japanese manufacturer Mazda has sold more than one million versions of its 6 model, faster than all other previous Mazdas. So it goes to show how much of an overall success the Mazda 6 has been, since it replaced the 626 model in 2002, in the crowded compact sedan market.
The 2019 Mazda 6 has been updated but with less than expected sales in Canada since its inception, Mazda is hoping to increase the numbers with its latest offering. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all come standard, along with four USB ports throughout the vehicle, making the 2019 Mazda 6 quite well prepared for the 21st Century.
SLEEK EXTERIOR
The 2019 Mazda 6 has a real luxury sedan look, while at the same time being sporty and elegant. The front end showcases a distinctive grille with a low-profile design. Flowing lines and contours that Mazda says are ‘designed to reflect light’, further enhance the overall appearance of what is a very sleek looking sedan. The 2018 Mazda 6 received the major styling updates with a new grille, tweaked LED headlights along with different alloys, bumper designs and trunk design.
While the difference is subtle, newer versions do look a little sharper. The 2019 Mazda 6 isn’t just a standout among sedans, it’s also a standout in the parking lot among everything else. The exterior shapes are remarkable, flowing, and so far, unrivalled.
UPSCALE INTERIOR
Stepping inside the 2019 Mazda 6 interior is a spacious and inviting space with a general feeling of upscale, soft touch materials and switches, all put together in a great quality build. The 2019 Mazda 6 Signature edition wraps passengers in top quality Nappa leather, among other luxury upgrades. Plenty of storage spaces throughout the cabin helps keep belongings in place and out of sight. Overall a luxurious, yet practical interior adorns the Mazda 6.
An 8-inch touch screen infotainment system sits on top of the dash, which is modern and elegant. The minimalistic look of the dash can be attributed to the sleek and narrow vents and having the controls spaced out on the center console to prevent button clutter on the dash.
There’s plenty of leg and headroom for the driver and all passengers inside the 2019 Mazda 6. Rear passengers benefit from leg room that is comparable to market leaders in this sector, while cargo space is plentiful. The versatile interior allows for transporting awkward sized cargo with the split folding rear seats.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
Equipped with a 2.5L four cylinder engine, the 2019 Mazda 6 is a great example of blending power and efficiency with 187hp under the hood. You can always opt for the GT model which adds a turbocharger to the mix to increase the power to 250hp. These power plants are both paired with a six speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Unfortunately there is no option for a manual transmission. Overall, the 2019 Mazda 6 packs plenty of zoom and doesn’t feel underpowered despite the low number of horsepower.
Since Mazda has rebuilt their cars from the ground up with lighter materials, without sacrificing quality or safety (according to the manufacturer), you can expect one of the most exciting rides in the market. Smooth, quiet but zippy accelerations accompany the sporty handling and precise steering to deliver a performance-focused drive that’s sure to please the spirited drivers out there!
The lighter materials combined with just the right amount of power help this mid-sized sedan achieve some impressive mileage. Rated at 9.1 L/100km in the city and 6.7 L/100km on the highway, our 200km test drive resulted with an overall 10.4 L/100km, which is definitely one of the best in the category.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2019 Mazda 6 has a lot to offer with its stylish exterior, elegant interior and sporty performance. The top notch materials put together in a high quality build combined with the affordable pricing puts the 2019 Mazda 6 at the top of the list in the crowded mid-sized sedan segment. Starting at $27,350, the GS model offers great value for money with all-around practicality, not to mention the impressive warranty. In an era when sedans are generally being pushed out of the marketplace in exchange for SUVs, the 2019 Mazda 6 holds its own amongst competition and delivers a top notch overall experience.
