Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring

    William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    September 12, 2013

    The name of the game in the midsize sedan class is to build something that appeals to everyone. Just look at most of the sedans on the marketplace and they are similar to one another.

    But what if an automaker decides not to follow the crowd? Go to the beat of its own drum? You would likely end up with something like the 2014 Mazda6. The new 6 is Mazda's first midsize sedan without the oversight of former parent Ford. As a result, Mazda could create the midsize sedan it wanted to. A little bit of SKYACTIV Technology, a dash of Mazda's Kodo design language, some lightness, and the fun to drive aspect the company is known for.

    But is this right move for a company which is still in a fair bit of trouble?

    In my book, the 2014 Mazda6 has to be the most gorgeous midsize sedan on sale today. The Kodo design language gives a distinctive look and identity for the vehicle. A flat front-end greets you with a five-point grille and chrome trim running along the outer edge. Along the side are a set of front fenders that flow into the front doors. A set of nineteen-inch alloy wheels come standard on Grand Touring and add a touch of class.

    sml_gallery_10485_686_59449.jpg
    I wish I could say the same for the Mazda6's interior. Much like the CX-5, the Mazda6's interior leaves a lot to be desired. Despite designers adding a piece of contrasting trim along the along the dashboard, I was wishing for a bit more. If Mazda can produce some great styling on the outside, why can't they on the inside? Materials and build quality are excellent though.

    Another problem that I have with the current crop of Mazda's is the optional navigation unit. While the maps from TomTom provide very good information, the interface is a bit ugly and dated. Throw in the fact that the head unit took thirty seconds to connect my phone up to the bluetooth system and almost two minutes for it to find my iPod, Mazda needs some serious help here.

    sml_gallery_10485_686_815122.jpg
    As for comfort and space, the Mazda6 does a decent job. Front seat passengers sit in heavily bolstered seats with heat. Back seat passengers will find a decent amount of legroom. Headroom is tight for those taller passengers.

    But.. Mazda is known for building driver's cars. So how does it drive? On to page 2!

    Under the hood is Mazda's 2.5L SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a six-speed automatic, though a six-speed manual is available on the Mazda6 Sport and Touring models. The 2.5 makes the Mazda6 feel plenty powerful. The engine's power band does require you to wring its neck somewhat (above 2,500 rpms), but you don't mind as the engine sounds very refined as it climbs in rpms. The six-speed automatic is very quick in shifts whether up or down. Also, the automatic didn't experience the stumbling problem with downshifts that I have complained about in my past CX-5 reviews.

    sml_gallery_10485_686_486594.jpg
    Fuel economy wise, the 2014 Mazda6 returns 26 City/38 Highway/30 Combined. During my week of mostly city driving, I saw an average of 28 MPG. Out of the freeway for a quick jaunt, I saw my number rise to 36 MPG.

    Mazdas are known for their fun to drive trait and the new 6 continues that. A sharp and nicely-weighted steering system, stiff chassis, and tuned suspension make the Mazda6 a very enjoyable midsize sedan to throw around. Driving on one of the test roads I use for vehicles, I found myself smiling because of how much fun I was having.

    sml_gallery_10485_686_630935.jpg
    Mazda did strike balance between sport and comfort with the new 6. The suspension copes pretty well when soaking up bumps and road imperfections. The only thing I wished Mazda did better was more sound insulation. This is very noticeable on the freeway as there is a surprising amount of road noise.

    The 2014 Mazda6 isn't for everyone and that's ok. Mazda isn't trying to go for the jugular of the midsize sedan market. Instead, they're offering a vehicle for those who want something a bit different. The 6 largely succeeds here with a fun and nimble chassis, surprising fuel economy, and very distinctive fuel economy. It does miss on interior styling, space, and sound insulation.

    The Mazda6 dares to be different. Whether this works or not remains to be seen.

    gallery_10485_686_1048629.jpg

    Disclaimer: Mazda provided the 6, insurance, and one tank of gas.

    Year: 2014

    Make: Mazda

    Model: 6

    Trim: Grand Touring

    Engine: 2.5L SKYACTIV-G Four-Cylinder

    Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, Six-Speed Automatic Transmission

    Horsepower @ RPM: 184 @ 5,700

    Torque @ RPM: 185 @ 3,250

    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 26/38/30

    Curb Weight: 3,792 lbs

    Location of Manufacture: Hofu, Japan

    Base Price: $29,495.00

    As Tested Price: $31,490.00* (Includes $795.00 destination charge)

    Options:

    MRCC and FOW Package - $900.00

    Soul Red Paint - $300.00

    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    G. David Felt

    Awesome write up. Very enjoyable reading.

    I have to say that I like that this car does not have that freakin big ugly black smiling mouth, yet the over all style is bland and to me very uninspiring.

    The interior is just terrible with the bland dash, Pimple on the center of the steering wheel and then the white type seats that will show all the dirt in the world. Just a terrible job.

    What is up with everyone thinking the world wants 4 door Coupe style sedans? No headroom and clearly not much room period for big people like me. I suspect this will fit me like my sisters Mazda 6 which means I will not be comfortable in it and could not go on road trips. Looks like they used 5'8" as the average size to build the car for again.

    One thing noticed is that the fit and finish based on the pictures does look good. I did not find anything out of alignment or to big or small of a gap. Really consistent.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    TPhoenix

    I like the Mazda6 and I think the company did a pretty good job with all the attention to detail and the overall designing. But yeah, the interior sounds a bit disappointing as it looks. They're going to have to up their game there.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    regfootball

    nice article, agree on road noise. that was the most evident deficiency of the car when i drove it.

    also, to me, it did not seem terribly fast, but it does have good test numbers.

    I think most average drivers would prefer the Fusion over the 6 because it is more sedate. Both are equally excellent to me.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    DieselFit

    Excellent writing! It's a turn off to hear that it takes that long to hook up an iPod though. I might as well hook up a AUX cable and do it the old fashioned way! It does look like it does something for the long trips but it looks like it has a lot of missing things in the interior of the car. Maybe they'll improve this in their next model.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Darin

    You people bashing the interior are laughable...the conservative styling combined with perfect ergonomics and high quality materials are exactly what people who have taste want...the huge Cylon space craft button cladded centre stack multi screened jokes car makers impose on the public are cheesy looking at best! The 6's controls are initiative and the driving position is perfect! I'm betting none of you have even been in one. Love the rubber necking Dugly Acura drivers staring at me from their overated FWD Luxo crap that costs over double what I paid for my 6 LmFAO!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ponchoman49

    The 6 is pretty but it's interior is a bit of a letdown. So is the fact that 185 HP is the best you can get. Prospective buyers must realize that Zoom zoom is a thing of the past for this car as far as acceleration goes and that any one of it's competitors optional turbo 4's or V6's will effortlessly dispatch this car.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      I regreted selling my 1994 GMC Suburban till I bought the EV9 and now have no regrets as the interior space is everything my GMC Suburban had.
    • G. David Felt
      Cadillac News: 2026 Baby Escalade IQ called VISTIQ

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Here in Seattle, Tesla is popular, but since January of this year, I now see a ton of LYRIQ's and Kia/Hyundai all over the place. A number of my coworkers have replaced their Tesla's with LYRIQ's.  PNW is far more green than other places, but as has shown with the huge drop in Tesla sales and an increase in Rivian, Cadillac, Kia and Hyundai, the west coast will move on as Tesla stalls.  Waymo just announced today that LA is now their third market where one can use Waymo One to take RoboTaxi rides. Tesla might be up due to the Trump win, but I do not see it doing so great next year, nor Trump as Inflation hits hard North America due to his Tariffs and the rest of the world goes into Recession. Cadillac has a spot on quality on ICE and EV and while style is personal preference, I do not see Cadillac stalling as they have already said they would keep ICE going past 2030 as long as customers buy and they will adjust EV manufacturing. Mary has stated that with LFP, they can have a sub $30k Bolt before IRA and even if IRA is destroyed by Idiot47, they will still have a winning entry level EV that I think will be the homerun hit to let them get ahead of other Legacy OEMs. I think this transition will kill off some OEMs in the US, Japan, Europe and China. I could see myself buying a VISTIQ if it was not missing one critical item, Android Auto / Apple Carplay. That is the deal breaker for me.
    • oldshurst442
      Cadillac News: 2026 Baby Escalade IQ called VISTIQ

      By oldshurst442 · Posted

      The roll out from GM was slow.  But for the better regarding reliabilty and build quality.  From Chevrolet to Cadillac on the EVs.  The bugs. I think, have been worked out. And quite honestly, not that many considering how fast they kinda turned it around from R&D to fully produce them from new EV factories and the new tech and all that.  Less problematic than Tesla and definitely less problematic than what GM did in the ealry 1980s to convert their cars from RWD to FWD.   Build quality has been on the rise since 15 years now and the last 5-8 to great lengths on them Cadillacs ESPECIALLY on the last generation of ICE vehicles from Cadillac.  The EVs are spotless in build quality and interior materials despite the cost of manufacturing EVs.  Ive heard some complaints on the HUMMER that the materials are less than what they need to be on such an expensive vehicle... If that is the only blemish on a vehicle that has only one rival, and its the Cybertruck, then I dont think its such a big deal. Besides, the crowd that buys a HUMMER EV simply buy it for douche bag value and those kinds of people dont really care for materials that are just a tad below what they should be.  They buy it for douche bag value and the Hummer EV has EVERY competitor douche bag vehicle beat buy millions of miles in that category.  And its all that counts.  I think Cadillac has finally turned it around with their image and its with their EVs that Cadillac has done it with.   
    • oldshurst442
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By oldshurst442 · Posted

      I would have to agree with you on your longing for the CTS.  It was a fantastic sports sedan.  Although I personally didnt like the interior of it, I certainly loved the exterior styling.   What triggered your regret?   I miss my Alero and I miss my 2005 Impala SS.  But I do not regret replacing them.  I also miss not being in a GM car of some sorts.  But since GM not offering a sedan, I dont regret not owning a GM. Although I do wish Buick had the last generation Regal available because I definitely would have bought that last year instead of the Accord.  Or the Impala for that matter.   
    • smk4565
      Cadillac News: 2026 Baby Escalade IQ called VISTIQ

      By smk4565 · Posted

      It is very bizarre that Trump is anti-EV, yet he partners with Elon.  So something has to give, either Elons turns on him or Trump starts pushing EVs.  If the $7500 tax credit goes away, I think Tesla is sunk, because they basically have a 15-20% off MSRP sale going on thanks to the government.  At full price I think the sales slow down, especially with a stale line up. The problem with the current Cadillacs is Chevy FWD chassis and a Chevy 2.0T or the 3.6 V6 that has had reliability issues, definitely not competitive with the Germans or Lexus.  But if you toss that out and have a 500 hp Lyriq, a 615 hp Vistiq, then you start squashing the competition.  I am not a huge fan of the styling of the EV Cadillacs, but the XT's looked a bit ungainly with their FWD proportions so these look more modern.  Early reviews on this and the Lyric seem to say they have luxury but there are some build quality issues. I think if GM can keep working on getting some cost and weight out of the battery, and get to the 1980 Mercedes or 1990s Lexus school of build quality they can have some winners.  Because build quality has historically been where Cadillac falls flat.

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search