Although I haven't seen these latest Mazda6 incarnations in the metal yet, based on the press photos they are every bit as seductive looking as the Mazda6 sedan. In fact, very little difference exists between the sedan and hatchback. Perhaps referring to it as a hatchback is a demeaning misnomer, as it's really a five-door sedan - the fifth door being one that incorporates the trunk and the rear windscreen. This design enables the placement of larger cargo items that the sedan simply couldn't contain, made especially commodious when the rear seat is folded forward providing a flat load floor. The same flat load floor also applies to the regular sedan, as its rear seat folds down in a similar fashion.
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| The 5-door hatchback looks a great deal like the Mazda6 sedan, and is therefore sporty and eye-catching as well. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
I am really quite excited to sample the
Mazda6 wagon. This appears to be a fairly big unit, which ought to provide ample cargo carrying capacity within its sporting confines. I have long lamented the dearth of decently sized wagons. The minivan craze followed by the SUV craze has all but delivered a death knell to the former king of family hauling, but the king is back baby.
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| The Mazda3 and Mazda6 combine performance, comfort and versatility like few others in the market, not to mention cutting-edge styling. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Buyers of the five-door Mazda6 can opt for either the inline 4-cylinder engine or the V6, along with either an automatic or standard transmission. Move up to the Mazda6 wagon and only the V6 will appear under the hood; however, either transmission is again available. On last check, neither of these vehicles had yet to be released for sale. Mazda's press material cites March as the month so it can't be long now.
