2017 Mazda6 GT

 
 

The Mazda6 is a midsize sedan that competes in a very competitive category budget friend mid size sedan against Camry and Accord. Unfortunately it is the slowest selling car in the segment. We got to try the Mazda6. Many of my relatives and friends have all owned Accords and Camrys over the years but I'm curious to see how this puts up against the other two top selling brands.

Disclosure: Mazda Canada provided me with the 2017 Mazda6 GT for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me.

ACCELERATION: 7/10

  • 184 @ 5700 RPM |185 lbs @ 3250 RPM
  • It would be nice to have a V6 engine option
  • Tuned to be very responsive transmission.
  • 0-60 miles/hr in 8.5 seconds
  • Straight way times can't compete with the other vehicles in the segment that have a V6 or Turbo engine option.

BRAKING: 8.5/10

  • Good linear braking at high speeds.

HANDLING: 9.5/10

  • Excellent steering in this segment. Very quick, precise and responsive feedback to the driver.
  • Very stable, and smooth in fast turns

RIDE: 8/10

  • A bit on the firmer side but I enjoyed the sportier and athletic feel of the car.
  • The G Vector control improves chassis roll

    ECONOMY: 9.5/10

    • 27 MPG in city and 35 MPG in highway (FWD)

      CABIN NOISE: 7/10

      • Quite a bit of engine noise but it makes the drive that much more exciting!
      • Noise-isolating glass (drive and front passenger windows)

      EXTERIOR: 8.5/10

      • KODO "Soul of Motion" Design Language
      • Heated Door Mirrors
      • Auto-dimming driver's side door mirror
      • Full LED lights in GT trim
      • Chrome trims give it a very sporty and aggressive look

      SAFETY|SECURITY|TECH: 8/10

      • Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring System (ABSM)

      • Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)

      • Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)

      • Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)

      • Lane-keep Assist System (LAS)

      • Smart Brake Support (SBS)

      • Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)

      • Side-door impact-protection beams (front and rear)

      • Driver’s and front passenger’s seat-belt pretensioners with force limiters

      • Child-safety rear door locks

      • ISOFIX child safety-seat anchors in rear seat (upper and lower type)

      • Engine immobilizer theft-deterrent system

      • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

      • i-ELOOP regenerative braking system

      • Smart Brake Support (SBS)
      • Rearview camera (wide angle)
      • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
      • Traction Control System (TCS)
      • Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
      • Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
      • Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
      • Dual front air bags, dual front side air bags and dual side air curtains
      • 3-point seat-belts for all seating positions
      • Height-adjustable front shoulder belt “B” pillar anchors
      • Whiplash-reducing adjustable front-seat headrests
      • Anti-theft alarm system
      • Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD)
      • G-Vectoring Control (GVC)

      INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 8.5/10

      • Heated steering wheels
      • Interior has a very classy and stylish look with the colour and material styling
      • Very comfortable seats
      • Engine is tuned to sound and feel sportier. 
      • Panel pops up on top of the dash when car is turned on which provide information to the driver. This makes it easy to keep your eyes on the road without having to look too far away.
      • Lacks Android Auto or Apple Carplay Support.

      INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 7.5/10

      • Heated seats even for the rear passengers.
      • Comfortable seats with decent amount of head and leg room.
      • 2,824 L Passenger Space

      INTERIOR STORAGE: 7.75/10

      • Would be nice if the trunk would open fully to just drop items into the trunk
      • The storage room is standard size for vehicles in this segment
      • 419 L Cargo Space

      INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 7/10

      • Does not have Android Auto or Apple Car Play but the Mazda Connect system is very easy to use

      OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2017 MAZDA6 gt:

      Mazda's 17 Mazda6 GT is one of the least powerful cars in its segment but there is no doubt that it is the most fun to drive. It is the most responsive and sportiest. The car is mouth watering, elegant and classy! It puts a smile on my face every time I sit behind the  wheel. This isn't just a car that takes me from point a to b, but a car that makes me want to burn rubber! The lack of option for a v6 is definitely hurting it in terms of sales but it is not a deal breaker for me. Mazda differentiates itself by tuning their vehicles for a heighten sense of fun for the driver.

       
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