No one should ever expect a Mazda6 to turn into a taxi. Seriously, that wouldn’t make any sense… unless Queen Latifah’s character from "Taxi" decides to trade her yellow Crown Vic for the popular Japanese athlete in a future movie, but even that seems far-fetched!
No, a taxi cab has to be massive and look pre-owned. The 2010 Mazda6, on the other hand, is way too racy and modern. Its sleek yet muscular stance conveys a sense of power much like the RX-8 sports car. The rear three-quarter angle offers a striking view of the sharp front fenders, the delta-shaped beltline and the slightly bulging rear fenders.
Even the drop-shaped headlights are reminiscent of the RX-8, whose drag coefficient inexplicably remains higher than the Mazda6’s (0.30 vs. 0.27). That’s right: the latter proves to be the most aerodynamic midsize sedan on today’s market.
Now, with this being said, you don’t need to spend a lot of time with the car to realize that its sportiness is more about style than substance. It’s not a sports sedan in the true sense of the word, especially with the base 4-cylinder engine under its hood. The Mazda6, just like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion, serves as a humble family hauler.
"Zoom-Zoom?" Not so sure…
Average offering
In order to meet the needs and expectations of a wide customer base, the automaker offers two different trim levels (GS and GT) and powertrains (4- and 6-cylinder engines). Bad news: the wagon and hatchback variants of the previous generation are no more. Buyers looking for a more versatile alternative to the conventional sedan therefore have to turn to the brand’s CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda5... or simply another brand!
There’s a 102-horsepower gap between the two engines (170 vs. 272 hp, to be exact) but also a 23-percent difference in fuel economy in favour of the 4-cylinder according to Mazda’s ratings. In the case of the GS model, opting for the bigger powerplant will cost you an additional $7,000. Bottom line: the 2010 Mazda6 GS-I4 (as tested) definitely targets consumers on a tight budget.
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| The Mazda6 GS-I4 serves as the entry point to this Japanese midsize sedan’s lineup. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
No, a taxi cab has to be massive and look pre-owned. The 2010 Mazda6, on the other hand, is way too racy and modern. Its sleek yet muscular stance conveys a sense of power much like the RX-8 sports car. The rear three-quarter angle offers a striking view of the sharp front fenders, the delta-shaped beltline and the slightly bulging rear fenders.
Even the drop-shaped headlights are reminiscent of the RX-8, whose drag coefficient inexplicably remains higher than the Mazda6’s (0.30 vs. 0.27). That’s right: the latter proves to be the most aerodynamic midsize sedan on today’s market.
Now, with this being said, you don’t need to spend a lot of time with the car to realize that its sportiness is more about style than substance. It’s not a sports sedan in the true sense of the word, especially with the base 4-cylinder engine under its hood. The Mazda6, just like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion, serves as a humble family hauler.
"Zoom-Zoom?" Not so sure…
Average offering
In order to meet the needs and expectations of a wide customer base, the automaker offers two different trim levels (GS and GT) and powertrains (4- and 6-cylinder engines). Bad news: the wagon and hatchback variants of the previous generation are no more. Buyers looking for a more versatile alternative to the conventional sedan therefore have to turn to the brand’s CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda5... or simply another brand!
There’s a 102-horsepower gap between the two engines (170 vs. 272 hp, to be exact) but also a 23-percent difference in fuel economy in favour of the 4-cylinder according to Mazda’s ratings. In the case of the GS model, opting for the bigger powerplant will cost you an additional $7,000. Bottom line: the 2010 Mazda6 GS-I4 (as tested) definitely targets consumers on a tight budget.
 |
| The bulging fenders and drop-shaped headlights are reminiscent of the RX-8 sports coupe. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |