Mazda Cleans House, Discontinues Mazda 6 and CX-3 In The U.S. After 2021

Rumors have swirled around the water cooler at Mazda for a while now. Still, the company has finally confirmed what many long suspected, and that’s the discontinuation of the Mazda6 sedan and the CX CUV in the U.S. after the 2021 model year concludes.   Responding To The Winds Of Change While Mazda stated in its press release that “It’s proud of the performance, design, quality, and safety they contributed” to the company as a whole, the firm is making its decision to align itself with current consumer demand. In the case of the Mazda6, it will be another casualty …

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Mazda adds its signature to the mid-size sedan segment with 2020 Mazda6 Signature

When it comes to straddling the line between mainstream and entry level, we’ll admit that Mazda is a very hard act to follow. When you look at the company’s pricing ladder as well as the segments it competes in, it’s easy to write it off as a mainstream luxury brand. However, the interior designs recently make it clear that Mazda is shooting far above its weight class when it comes to this particular category. With sedans being pinched for sales and attention by a growing army of SUV and CUV entries, they have to embrace new ways of maintaining the …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Mazda 6 Signature – By Carl Malek

When an automotive enthusiast looks at the 2018 Mazda 6 Signature, quiet and refined may not be the first characteristics that come to mind. This is partially due to prior generation Mazda 6 models, which boasted commendable levels of performance, but with much more noise than many of its rivals. The 2018 Mazda 6 aims to exorcise this image, but without ruining the basic delectable bits that lurked beyond the high decibel levels. But can the 2018 Mazda 6 pull off this trick? Or does it still fall short of being a true disrupter to mid-size sedan icons like the …

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2019 Mazda6 Turbo – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Some say the sedan is dead, that the SUV/Crossover buried it. We say poppycock. (Actually, no one says poppycock anymore, but it keeps us out of trouble with the language nannies). Proof? Look at the aggressive tack we’re seeing right now, with an all-new sporty Toyota Camry, an all-new Honda Accord with available detuned Civic Type R motor, and all-new Nissan Altima with a world’s first Variable displacement turbo engine.  Sedans are back and they’re mad as heck. With all this new sheetmetal on sale, it’s got to be tough for a not-so-new sedan like the Mazda 6 to keep …

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Review: 2017.5 Mazda6 Delights With Handling, Styling and Features – By Tim Esterdahl

Admittedly, I’m not much a mid-size car guy. I like pickups and SUVs with 4×4. However, driving around in the 2017.5 Mazda6 Grand Touring edition, it didn’t take me long to understand why I keep hearing good things about this car. The 2017.5 Mazda6 is one of two cars Mazda offers with the Mazda3 being the smaller of the two. It competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and other mid-size cars. Mazda offers the 6 in three models: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring and all the models share a 2.5L 184 horsepower inline-four engine. This model year is also …

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2018 Hyundai Sonata 2_9

2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Limited – Road Test Review

Not everyone drives their car like an escaped felon. More accurately, the vast majority of midsize sedan shoppers have little to no interest in 0-60-mph times, lateral grip or brake feel. These concerns are just totally alien to their transportation needs. Your average midsize sedan buyer wants tons of cabin space, low monthly payments and easy-to-operate tech features. So why drive like a madman? We took a relaxed, more realistic, approach to this Sonata Limited review.  The video is thick with minutes and minutes of walk-arounds inside and out; back seat and front.  Totally sedate throttle inputs – enjoying the …

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2017 Mazda VISION COUPE and KAI Concepts Bow in Tokyo

You know I really wanted this scoop because all these came from Mazda’s Japanese media site! The new Vision Coupe is a breathtaking, cab-backward look at a future Mazda sedan.  Its sharky nose and pert tail are almost like an MX-5 saloon car!  In the best ways. The KAI is a look at the upcoming Mazda3 refresh.  It takes sleek, slinky curves to a new level.  A fully shrink-wrapped package with sport stance like a Golf R.  But with half the roof. Both stunning.  Watch this space for updates and real photos once the cars debut on stage at the …

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2017 Mazda6 Grand Touring – HD Road Test Review w/ 2 Videos

The 2017 Mazda6 is an affordable midsize car for those seeking something better.  A car with premium handling, design and cabin feel.  Yet with pricing that undercuts its spiritual Audi and BMW rivals by tens of thousands. We’ve been a big fan of the Mazda6 for years now.   Our reco of the car has even led more than a few friends and neighbors to buy one. And for most of those people, the car was not even on their radar. So to answer the question of ‘Why don’t more people buy the Mazda6?‘ the answer is a lack of …

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2016 Mazda 6 GT 3

Road Test Review – 2016 Mazda6 – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

2016 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman I always look forward to getting a Mazda dropped off in my driveway for a week’s worth of driving.  You can always count on a Mazda to deliver three things: peppy performance, great gas mileage, and outstanding handling. Our test car was the top of the line model, the Grand Touring model. As all Mazda 6 models, it comes with a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder direct injection, variable valve timing engine with a very high 13:1 compression ratio and is designed to use unleaded gas.  The engine makes 184 horsepower and …

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2015 Mazda KOERU Concept Previews Upcoming CX-7 with Slinky Style, 7 Seats

Mazda just released the first official images of a swanky new crossover concept: a sporty yet long-wheelbase SUV dubbed the KOERU. Just a single sketch so far, but we have a finger on the pulse of Mazda’s next crossover move. We predict this concept outlines a replacement for the seven-seat CX-9 SUV for the ~2018 model year. The CX-9 has been refreshed a few times over its lifetime, but the vehicle is near the end of a long platform and engine-sharing deal with former owners Ford Motor Company. In additon to hefty licensing fees paid to Ford to use the …

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2018 Mazda CX-7 Rendering Shows Longer, 7-Seater CX-5 Sibling

  After writing up a prediction about what Mazda’s new Frankfurt concept will lead to, we decided to head into photoshop to envision a long-wheelbase CX-5. This fairly simple stretch will solve many buyer wants in a fairly affordable way: more luggage space and a third row, yet still easy on fuel and tight city streets. The rendering here is fairly basic, but gives us a good idea of how the CX-5 package will translate into a seven-seater from its current five. What is more likely than this simple stretch might be a fully new next-gen CX-5, engineered and designed …

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2015 Mazda KOERU Concept to Bow At Frankfurt – Previews 2018 CX-7

Mazda just released the first teaser image of its next crossover: a sporty yet long-wheelbase SUV dubbed the KOERU. Just a single sketch so far, but we have a finger on the pulse of Mazda’s next crossover move. We predict this concept outlines a replacement for the seven-seat CX-9 SUV for the 2018 model year. The CX-9 has been refreshed a few times over its lifetime, but the vehicle is near the end of a long platform and engine-sharing deal with former owners Ford Motor Company. In additon to hefty licensing fees paid to Ford to use the engine and …

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4K HD Drive Review – 2016 Mazda6 GT is FANTASTIC! (90 Pics)

The best-looking and best-driving midsize sedan in the world? The 2016 Mazda6! The new programming for the transmission and Sport drive modes resolves our only previous concern about the Mazda6: that it should be quicker. But now– we have no weaknesses to report. The GT trim here with its gorgeous anthracite 19-inch alloys is a masterpiece of design appeal, only reinforced by the newly-luxurious cabin materials and playful road manners. Please enjoy the below 4K drive video, plus 90 photos of this 4K HD Drive Review Video – 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring INTERIOR 2016 Mazda6 Grand …

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Concept to Reality – 2010 Mazda Shinari to 2013 Mazda6

Now here is a company with some genius ideas, and the brilliance to bring them to a street near you. The Shinari is gorgeous, and the Mazda6 is too. Well done.     Concept to Reality – 2010 Mazda Shinari to 2013 Mazda6 2016 Mazda6   2013 Mazda6           2010 Mazda SHINARI Concept  

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Top 10 Midsize Sedans – 2016 Mazda6 Is Best, Subaru Legacy Second

The Mazda6 is the best-looking, best-handling and most refined mid-size sedan available even before these updates. But two areas kept the car from being a world-beater: the cabin design and a slightly unexciting exterior in the lower and cheaper trim levels. Yes, the Grand Touring had big wheels and LED accents, making the most of the absolutely gorgeous core design. The Mazda6 in every trim now looks like it should costs $50,000, versus only the GT giving that impression before. Both issues are resolved for 2015 with a sweeping enhancement to the design and content of a long-time favorite family …

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2016 Mazda2 Sedan Revealed in Thailand + Gorgeous White MX-5

Mazda is killing it lately — in a good way! It is hard not to feel a bit of pride in their achievements, even as an outsider. The brand is a loveable underdog. The new CX-3 is amazing, while the exceptionally-competent Mazda6 and CX-5 are also updated for 2016 with cooler LED style details, tech updates and on-trend dark wheels. Just when you thought Thanksgiving could not possibly have any more to offer from Mazda, here comes the dapper new Mazda2 in four-door sedan form. This car was revealed in Thailand where it will be sold from early 2015 onward. …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited Is Nipping Camry and Mazda6 Heels

Rave review first-drive here on the new Subaru Legacy! Along with three dozen all-new photos of this newly-competitive mid-size car. It looks like the drive video we shot did not survive its GoPro upload to the computer, so we will write this one up the old-fashioned way! EXTERIOR The new Legacy’s design is shown in its best light with the 2.5i Limited, which wears the latest LED accents and projector-beam lighting from the 3.6R top-line model. As equipped, this 2.5i is actually very handsome and premium. Why the surprise? Well, let’s face it: the base Legacy has been seriously nerdy …

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2016 Peugeot 509

Mazda6 vs Ford Fusion Shows How To Make the FWD 2016 Peogeot 509 Sexy

Ed’s Note: This article is feeling condescending as I review and ready it for publishing, and I regret that tone. Nobody likes being spoken down to. That is not my intention. Starting from a basic place – Just to explain it all, as best I can, to someone for whom car design might not a passion area. How to make a front-drive car sexy and stylish — while keeping it primarily front-drive? Not an easy task, and one that has taken many years to get anywhere near resultion. The clearest example of the ideas and design analyses explored below is …

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Fixing the Acura Woodchuck Nose Is Easy – Speculative Design Renderings Without Shield Nose Piece

It is not fun to review a car that … is … not living up to its potential. Many cars that should be good are not. Design is important from my vantage because I have not been wined/dined on some swanky launch event. Those types of personal relationships with the people behind the car tend to water down most of the harsh critiques. But your humble scribe must share these views on behalf of you, the little guy! Little guy? C’mon now. Big Boss Hog is more like it! Car buyers make or break any brand — not the writing …

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Annotated Design Analysis — Peugeot EXALT — How To Make the 2016 Peogeot 509 Sexy — Mazda6 vs Ford Fusion Examples

Ed’s Note: This article is feeling condescending as I review and ready it for publishing, and I regret that tone. Nobody likes being spoken down to. That is not my intention. Just to explain it all, as best I can, to someone for whom car design might not a passion area. How to make a front-drive car sexy and stylish — while keeping it primarily front-drive? Not an easy task, and one that has taken many years to get anywhere near resultion. The clearest example of the ideas and design analyses explored below is the latest Mazda6, which is far …

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Car Basics: How To Jumpstart A Dead Car… in less than 10 Words

Jumpstarting Reminder: Red to Red, Black to Black With the good car running: Red to red, black to black.     Step-by-step guide from GEICO’s Dawn McCaslin: Start by protecting your clothes and your hands with protective clothing or a blanket on the ground and gloves. Open the hood to your car. Sometimes when you “pop” the hood, you need to also release the latch. This can be found by running your fingers under the slightly open hood until you find a little lever to push on. Use the stick to prop the hood open while you work. Locate the …

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Empire Records Generation — 2014 Accord Hybrid EX-L on Sexy Sugar High to Battle Mazda6 and Ford Fusion

Shock me, shock me, shock me… with that deviant behavior. – Empire Records (1995), Warner Bros. 2014 might be the year hybrids really start to blossom as a tech option that does not have to ruin your style like a light-green Prius. Case in point is the deceptively handsome Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L – shown in silver here – and even the Accord Hybrid Touring is a bit less dorky for this year.   [Wearing nothing but a MusicTown apron] Gina: Welcome to MusicTown, may I service you? That is great news for Honda. Have you seen the Ford Fusion …

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2014 Mazda6 i Touring - Video Summary + 40 High-Res Images6

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – 40 All-New, High-Res Images

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – 40 All-New, High-Res Images   Hopefully the Mazda6’s stunning lines can do some of the talking for us. Enjoy! The 2014 Mazda6 is an amazing achievement – a sports car within reach of Camry buyers. 2014 Mazda6 i Touring – Exterior Gallery       2014 Mazda6 i Touring – Interior Gallery