I've seen a 2014 Mazda 6 on dealer's lot and test drove one yesterday! It looks great on the outside but the inside is what captures my eyes! What a masterpiece! The design is similar to my CX-5 GT but the fit and finish looks more upscale. (I test drove the GS with luxury package, same as GT inside) Also the white HVAC display is much better than the orange in CX-5. I'm actually not that impressed by the power, considering the loss in weight and increase in power over cx5. It feels faster and lighter than cx-5 but the actual speed doesn't seem to be much quicker. But it's certainly more than adequate, just maybe my expectation is too high. Also the engine noise is noticeable, maybe due to cold weather and it likes revving. The drive is certainly good, steering feels direct, body roll is non-existent in the corner! (even with 17' tire) It has a very confident ride while keeps pleasant. The plastic protection on the roof top make tremendous wind noise so I can't comment on the noise level besides engine noise. Back seat space is comparable to cx-5, so not that impressed. Trunk space is so so, deep enough but not tall enough. Overall speaking, what new 6 attracts me is its ride, exterior & interior design, fit & finish and maybe fuel economy. The downside is that it's too large for my taste while not providing more space than cx5.
New 6 Test driving experience
- Thread starter lyj111121
- Start date
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- Mazdaspeed6
It is a real gem for sure!
I believe it is Mazda's finest 6, no doubt. The question is, is it their finest sedan ever?
I think that it is likely.
I believe it is Mazda's finest 6, no doubt. The question is, is it their finest sedan ever?
I think that it is likely.
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- Mazdaspeed6
Oh, that'll be the unanimous, chief con of, I am sure, nearly all auto publications and consumers alike.
It is totally adequate though.
It's pretty damn buzzy. Haha! This is a subjective topic, though. I have seen some people on this forum claim they enjoy the sound of the buzzy 2.0 in the CX-5 and SA MZ3. Several friends who've taken a ride in my CX-5 have made fun of it. lol! The 2.5l sounds pretty much the same, IMO.
But, like I said, subjective. I drive a modded, very noisey Mazdaspeed6 everyday, and 1972 Chevy C-10 (350/350) when I'm not dtiving my Speed. So, most NA 4 cyl.s sound like crap to me.
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It's pretty damn buzzy. Haha! This is a subjective topic, though. I have seen some people on this forum claim they enjoy the sound of the buzzy 2.0 in the CX-5 and SA MZ3. Several friends who've taken a ride in my CX-5 have made fun of it. lol! The 2.5l sounds pretty much the same, IMO.
But, like I said, subjective. I drive a modded, very noisey Mazdaspeed6 everyday, and 1972 Chevy C-10 (350/350) when I'm not dtiving my Speed. So, most NA 4 cyl.s sound like crap to me.
I hear ya - most 4s don't sound great. It isn't without precedent though: I've heard good things about the sound from the new VW GLI, and Chrylser/Fiat's 1.4T. Granted, those have turbos. There is the K24A2 in the first gen Acura TSX on the NA side though.
I don't have super high expectations; just hoping it isn't annoying.
For what it's worth, my Sonata literally sounds like a blender when you rev it at idle. Under load on the road, you can hear the turbo whoosh a little, but still doesn't make exactly soul-stirring noises. As much as I generally dislike VWs, I have to say I think the VR6 is/was one of the best-sounding engines ever made.
Does any NA 4 banger sound good when compared to a turbo 4 or a 6 or 8 cylinder? I mean it is a 4 banger after all, there is only so much you can do to the sound, but at the end of the day, it still sounds like a 4 banger, but a rotary on the other hand, now that is a nice sounding engine at high revs.
In my opinion a lot of that comes from the fact that the cars are fun to drive and could handle the extra power, even if it isn't needed. Nobody is going to drive a car that wallows around corners and bounces when you stop and wish it had more power so they are never called underpowered. I don't think it is a fair label for these cars at all, I just think people's perceptions are messed up. Rather than saying It is amazingly fun to drive they just think they want to go faster.
And many won't even drive them before they comment, they will just look at the numbers and complain. And a lot of those will be the people with the 300 HP cars that just put away from every stop light or slow to half speed for even the most mild of corners.
Trevor
Genuine Factory Mazda6 Accessories
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I think the highlighted text can work both ways. Some might say a car has plenty of power based on specs, yet the engine might not feel as strong as it should or the car could have poor gearing. The Dodge Dart with the 1.4T engine is one example where driving impressions are not supporting the specs. Hyundais are frequently criticized for not feeling as strong as they should.
Meanwhile, one of Mazda's main competitors in the midsize segment, the 4 cylinder 6MT Accord, allegedly runs a barely-believable 15.1s 1/4 mile, with 0-60 in 6.7s. Engine size and power is approximately the same as Mazda's 2.5 Sky-G on paper. With that kind of performance from the Accord, the company selling itself on zoom-zoom had better not be far behind, or have a super smooth engine, or a cool (for a 4 cylinder) exhaust note. Something. Driving feel and handling won't be enough to distinguish it if the powertrain is lacking.
Pennyroyal
Member
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- Mazda 6 (2014 US)
Have had the new 6 for a week. It is a great car to drive, feels confident on the road, corners beautifully, automatic effortlessly changes. Have not noticed any sluggishness and has the power when you need it. (Had to set the speed warning, can get to a 120km without any effort at all.) Definitely not a 4cyl banger!
Leatherette is actually vinyl, not real leather. It's an industry euphemism for the fake leather. Sometimes it is derisively referred to as "pleather" (plastic + leather).
Leatherette gives up the leather smell and some say it doesn't breathe as easily, but if it is well done it can be hard to tell the difference. It's just as easy to clean (probably easier since it matters less what you use on it), lower maintenance, and more durable. BMW has used it in base trim 1-series and 3-series for a long time. Mercedes uses it and calls it M-B Tex. I think the latest VW Jetta has a leatherette option and no longer offers real leather.
Quality of a seating surface varies between models and manufacturers regardless of what they call it. You'll still have to sit in it to see if you care and need to spring for the GT trim just to get the real stuff.
Probably made even harder to tell apart because much of the leather in cars today is actually vinyl coated leather:
http://www.303products.com/index.php/product-uses/automotive-leather
Trevor
http://mazda.handa.com/mazda6_14.html
