I think we've all been watching the wrong manufacturers as of late. Sure the Kias and Hyundais of the world are stepping up their game and pushing forth vehicles that challenge the already-dominant carmakers out there, but I think we should have been paying closer attention to those who have been sitting silently in the background, watching the theatrics before them.
I'm talking about the Mazdas of the automotive world.
It's not that they've done nothing over the past few model years, more that they've been quietly plotting in a corner, keeping to themselves and waiting for the perfect moment to strike -- when we least expect it.
And strike they have with the brand new Mazda6 and CX-5. While I've not driven either yet (stay tuned for a Texas-sized drive in both from yours truly later in February), first impressions have me, well, impressed. Pushing just the right boundaries in terms of styling (nothing too aggressive and out there, and yet enough to catch an eye, keep you interested and keep you coming back for more), as well as engineering with their SKYACTIV engines, Mazda is trucking along in a way that might seem “safe” for some, but is doing the job just fine it seems.
Quebec has had a long-time love affair with the Mazda brand. From the 323, the Protegé and, more recently, the Mazda3 being a best-seller in the province since it first hit our dealers in '02, catching eyes and thereby wallets soon after, Mazda has a home here on the eastern coast of Canada, and with good reason. Other sales heroes have been the CX-7 and the first generation of the Mazda6.
Oh, let's not forget the fantastically nimble and much-in-need-of-a-remodel Mazda MX-5 (nee Miata). There's very little wrong with this vehicle, truly, but I'd very much like (as would my colleagues) to see this little number updated to correspond with current trends, styling and engineering fads. It's already a winner... Just imagine what it could be.
Then again, perhaps Mazda's already been whispering in the corners about a new MX-5 and we've all just been too distracted by the rest to take notice...
While the world is looking at the flashier, lights-and-smoke vehicles that come and go like fashion trends on movie stars, Mazda has steadily been releasing vehicles that continue to take the automotive world by storm in a quiet, gentle kind of way. They're a solid company building solid cars that people want to buy.
Unlike a few companies out there who shall remain nameless, they aren't resting on their laurels, bargaining on sales because family members have owned their vehicles for years and so will continue to do so, and yet they are building a base of loyal customers -- and have been for years -- with products that can stand the test of time in both the looks and performance departments (the Miata is a perfect example of this, and to a certain extent so is the Mazdaspeed3).
The world has looked to Mazda for a moment with the new Mazda6 and CX-5, and when they look away again who knows what the Japanese automaker will come up with next.
I'm talking about the Mazdas of the automotive world.
It's not that they've done nothing over the past few model years, more that they've been quietly plotting in a corner, keeping to themselves and waiting for the perfect moment to strike -- when we least expect it.
And strike they have with the brand new Mazda6 and CX-5. While I've not driven either yet (stay tuned for a Texas-sized drive in both from yours truly later in February), first impressions have me, well, impressed. Pushing just the right boundaries in terms of styling (nothing too aggressive and out there, and yet enough to catch an eye, keep you interested and keep you coming back for more), as well as engineering with their SKYACTIV engines, Mazda is trucking along in a way that might seem “safe” for some, but is doing the job just fine it seems.
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| Photo: Mazda |
Quebec has had a long-time love affair with the Mazda brand. From the 323, the Protegé and, more recently, the Mazda3 being a best-seller in the province since it first hit our dealers in '02, catching eyes and thereby wallets soon after, Mazda has a home here on the eastern coast of Canada, and with good reason. Other sales heroes have been the CX-7 and the first generation of the Mazda6.
Oh, let's not forget the fantastically nimble and much-in-need-of-a-remodel Mazda MX-5 (nee Miata). There's very little wrong with this vehicle, truly, but I'd very much like (as would my colleagues) to see this little number updated to correspond with current trends, styling and engineering fads. It's already a winner... Just imagine what it could be.
Then again, perhaps Mazda's already been whispering in the corners about a new MX-5 and we've all just been too distracted by the rest to take notice...
While the world is looking at the flashier, lights-and-smoke vehicles that come and go like fashion trends on movie stars, Mazda has steadily been releasing vehicles that continue to take the automotive world by storm in a quiet, gentle kind of way. They're a solid company building solid cars that people want to buy.
Unlike a few companies out there who shall remain nameless, they aren't resting on their laurels, bargaining on sales because family members have owned their vehicles for years and so will continue to do so, and yet they are building a base of loyal customers -- and have been for years -- with products that can stand the test of time in both the looks and performance departments (the Miata is a perfect example of this, and to a certain extent so is the Mazdaspeed3).
The world has looked to Mazda for a moment with the new Mazda6 and CX-5, and when they look away again who knows what the Japanese automaker will come up with next.
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| Photo: Mazda |