2014 Mazda6 Impresses With Low Price, High Fuel Economy

2014 Mazda6 Impresses With Low Price, High Fuel Economy

January 4th, 2013 by Armaan Almeida

The redesigned Mazda6 is officially on sale now, priced from just $20,880 plus destination, making it among the least expensive midsize family sedans on the market as well as among the most fuel efficient.

The sub-$21k figure represents an increase of just $155 over the outgoing 2013 model. All Mazda6 sedans, at least at launch, come with a 184 horsepower, 185 lb-ft. torque 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine. Fuel efficiency numbers are in, and we’re quite impressed: 25 city/37 highway/29 combined mpg with the 6-speed conventional manual transmission, or 26 city/38/highway/30 combined mpg for the 6-speed automatic.

Those EPA figures place the Mazda6 right near the top of the food chain among non-hybrid family sedans. Only the CVT-equippedNissan Altima, at 27 city/38 highway/31 combined mpg, is more efficient.

Here’s the highlights of what Mazda is offering at each price point:

2014 Mazda6 i Sport – $20,880 plus destination ($795) – includes push-button start, power windows, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with cruise control and audio controls, 17-inch alloy wheels, and auxiliary audio and USB/iPod inputs. Adding the 6-speed automatic brings with it Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a 5.8-inch color touchscreen, a backup camera, HD radio, Pandora, automatic emergency response and voice commands.

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – $24,495 plus destination – adds to the mix 19-inch alloy wheels and, when adding the automatic transmission, leatherette seating surfaces, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable drivers seat and more controls for the touchscreen interface. More-advanced features are offered as part of option packages.

2014 Mazda6 i Grand Touring – $29,495 plus destination – makes standard most of the optional features from the Touring, including TomTom navigation, a Bose premium audio system, keyless entry, automatic headlamps, HomeLink, auto-dimming rear-view and driver’s side mirrors, heated outside mirrors and Smart City Brake Support. You’ll also find exclusive 19-inch silver-finish alloy wheels, a power moonroof, a rear spoiler, leather seating and trim with heated front seats, bi-xenon HID headlamps, SiriusXM satellite radio and more.

Mazda has not announced plans for a V6 engine choice, but a Skyactiv-D diesel model is coming in the second half of 2013. All in all Mazda is offering a ton of feature content for your money, and it looks like finding the right vehicle in the midsize class just got even harder with so many fine options on the market.