So now that I've made it clear that the 6 GT's forward and side-to-side performance can measure up to its competition, what happens when the director yells "cut?" Can Mazda's midsize sedan rapidly rein in the horses and cease forward momentum? The Japanese automaker certainly intended it to and therefore equipped the car with 4-wheel antilock disc brakes aided by electronic brake force distribution. After peeling my visage from the windscreen, I can assure you that Mazda achieved its intention.
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| Thanks to 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, the Mazda6 GT undertakes stopping duties quite admirably. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Although I didn't haul out an industrial measuring tape to verify the brevity of the Mazda6 GT stops, I can tell you anecdotally that they are short. Squeeze the brake pedal and the sure-footed car will toss out an anchor capable of holding the QEII motionless in a typhoon. Okay that's poetic license gone AWOL, but trust me, the Mazda6 GT undertakes stopping duties quite admirably. Braking force is easily modulated and antilock intervention is predictable resulting in panic stops without the need to panic.
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| Mazda's new 6 treats its occupants to an upscale cabin, dominated by a silver, metallic-like center stack. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
And when a panic stop simply isn't enough to avoid a collision, the Mazda6 takes extra care to protect its occupants. Regardless of trim level, dual action front airbags linked to crash zone and driver's seat position sensors are standard equipment, along with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters. Mazda has also equipped all Mazda6 models with whiplash-reducing front headrests. Dual front side-impact airbags are standard on all but the base 4-cylinder Mazda6, as are dual front and rear curtain airbags.
While a protectionist, Mazda's new 6 also treats its occupants to an upscale cabin. The enticing interior is dominated by a silver, metallic-like center stack and console featuring circular air-vents and controls. Upon first impression that center stack and console looks great, however close inspection reveals a tendency for the silver finish to scratch easily. My test vehicle had already sustained some nasty abrasions across the console from something placed on top it. Sometimes it would be better for automaker's to focus on durability rather than style when designing a family sedan.
