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8th
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Austin, TX - I landed in the land of Longhorns bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to take on whatever the Lone Star State had to throw my way... No, I lie; I arrived tired and crabby from a long day of travelling, but as I walked the grounds of the gorgeous Travaasa Resort nestled at the top of a hill on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, I came upon the reason I was there, sitting pretty amongst the gnarled Texas Live Oak trees: the brand new 2014 Mazda6 and my mood lifted.
Brand new from nose to tail, the 2014 Mazda6 is something to behold, and not just because of its stunning good looks. Take a gander under the hood and you'll be just as pleasantly surprised and eager to get behind the wheel soon after. While I'm very much looking forward to a longer drive in the Mazda6, after traversing the winding, undulating, sweeping roads around Austin, Texas, I can assure you that Mazda are quite serious about developing a car with their “driver” customers in mind.
Nipped, tucked, facelifted, lipoed and ready to face the world
From nose to tail and on the side, the 2014 Mazda6 truly is “all new.” Mazda went to great lengths to perfect the overall look of the Mazda6, with the knowledge that they were developing and working on a model that was, and will continue to be, a flagship car for Mazda.
As the second car in Mazda's lineup to feature their KODO design language, there's no denying this sedan is a looker. With a front end that's got some serious attitude and presence parked or on the move, the 2014 Mazda6 front grille features an updated, much more sophisticated take on the wide, gaping opening found on the Mazda6s of the past. The angles are sharp, and yet the lines flow smoothly from nose to tail. Muscular shoulders sit atop 17” (or 19” on the topline GT trim), and a sharply raking roofline down the back elicits thoughts of a coupe.
While I'm not completely sold on the rear just yet, I can see it starting to grow on me. The “I mean business” look continues back there too, with the furrowed chrome brow sitting low and hard across the taillights.
With colours like Soul Red (fabulous, by the way), Blue Reflex and Snowflake White Pearl, the 2014 Mazda6 may only offer a total of nine model codes in the lineup (one of the smallest), but there are enough colour/trim/packages available to find a Mazda6 to call your own.
From the base GX up to the GT, the interior is sophisticated and well laid out. Roomy in the front, with only a slight headroom issue in the back (thanks to that cool, coupe-like look) the 2014 Mazda6 has all the makings of a comfortable, family sedan.
Options include the norm such as black or white leather trim is available (yes, white leather), power-adjusted seats, navigation system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. To note: Mazda's Technology package should be called the “safety package” instead since it features all the fancy nannies: Smart City Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, High Beam Control, Forward Obstruction Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
Zoom-zoom in the Texan sun
Alright, now the part you've all been waiting for: How does the 2014 Mazda6 drive? As the very first Mazda car to feature entirely all SKYACTIV technology, the Mazda6 is a flagship for more than one reason. Available as a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (of note: both transmissions are offered at the same price on the Mazda6 as the Japanese automaker believes drivers should drive what they want to drive, at no extra cost to them).
Let me say, the 2.5L I4 (which stretches across all three trim levels, GX, GS and GT) which puts out 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque is absolutely fantastic. Responsive, reactive and ready to perform whenever the need arises, Mazda has a fantastic product in their SKYACTIV engines and transmission. Fuel efficiency numbers are also quite good with the 6AT able to reach the 5.1L/100km mark on highways.
While I enjoyed driving the manual a great deal (and appreciated the precise shifts offered by the gearbox and easy-to-use clutch), I had just as much fun (if not a little more) with the automatic transmission that's just as eager to please. Kickdowns offer a throaty snarl out the rear and you're given a glimpse into why Mazda believes the 2014 Mazda6 is a driver's car. That nagging lag between shifts in sport mode 6ATs is pleasantly short and barely noticeable.
We were told that the Mazda6 development team focused on integrating a great deal of “Jinba-ittai” into the performance of the new model. What is that, you might ask? Well, a loose translation references a relationship between horse and rider as one. And while driving the 2014 Mazda6 isn't quite the same as hacking through the woods on my horse, I can see the integration of the mindset in the drive.
That dirty word... Diesel
Yup, that's right. There will be a diesel variant of the 2014 Mazda6 arriving shortly, as well. Featuring the SKYACTIV-D engine, this diesel-sucking Japanese vehicle will help Mazda target who they believe to be their main competition, the VW Passat.
I did not drive the diesel variant of the 2014 Mazda6 while I was in Austin, so cannot comment on the performance, however, I am eager to try it and so happy to hear that diesel is very much on its way to North America -- finally.
Priced to kill...
Alright, so for all this fancy SKYACTIV, KODO, fun-in-the-sun driveability, what are you going to have to dish out for the 2014 Mazda6? For a base GS model you'll start at the $24,595 mark; and for a top of the line GT decked out with a Technology Package you'll skim the $34,195 line. All in all, the 2014 Mazda6 is priced to adequately take on the competition, and with a diesel in the wings it's very likely going to crush quite a few along the way.
Brand new from nose to tail, the 2014 Mazda6 is something to behold, and not just because of its stunning good looks. Take a gander under the hood and you'll be just as pleasantly surprised and eager to get behind the wheel soon after. While I'm very much looking forward to a longer drive in the Mazda6, after traversing the winding, undulating, sweeping roads around Austin, Texas, I can assure you that Mazda are quite serious about developing a car with their “driver” customers in mind.
 |
Nipped, tucked, facelifted, lipoed and ready to face the world
From nose to tail and on the side, the 2014 Mazda6 truly is “all new.” Mazda went to great lengths to perfect the overall look of the Mazda6, with the knowledge that they were developing and working on a model that was, and will continue to be, a flagship car for Mazda.
As the second car in Mazda's lineup to feature their KODO design language, there's no denying this sedan is a looker. With a front end that's got some serious attitude and presence parked or on the move, the 2014 Mazda6 front grille features an updated, much more sophisticated take on the wide, gaping opening found on the Mazda6s of the past. The angles are sharp, and yet the lines flow smoothly from nose to tail. Muscular shoulders sit atop 17” (or 19” on the topline GT trim), and a sharply raking roofline down the back elicits thoughts of a coupe.
While I'm not completely sold on the rear just yet, I can see it starting to grow on me. The “I mean business” look continues back there too, with the furrowed chrome brow sitting low and hard across the taillights.
With colours like Soul Red (fabulous, by the way), Blue Reflex and Snowflake White Pearl, the 2014 Mazda6 may only offer a total of nine model codes in the lineup (one of the smallest), but there are enough colour/trim/packages available to find a Mazda6 to call your own.
 |
| Mazda went to great lengths to perfect the overall look of the Mazda6, with the knowledge that they were developing and working on a model that was, and will continue to be, a flagship car for Mazda. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone) |
From the base GX up to the GT, the interior is sophisticated and well laid out. Roomy in the front, with only a slight headroom issue in the back (thanks to that cool, coupe-like look) the 2014 Mazda6 has all the makings of a comfortable, family sedan.
Options include the norm such as black or white leather trim is available (yes, white leather), power-adjusted seats, navigation system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. To note: Mazda's Technology package should be called the “safety package” instead since it features all the fancy nannies: Smart City Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, High Beam Control, Forward Obstruction Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
 |
| From the base GX up to the GT, the interior is sophisticated and well laid out. (Photo: Mazda) |
Zoom-zoom in the Texan sun
Alright, now the part you've all been waiting for: How does the 2014 Mazda6 drive? As the very first Mazda car to feature entirely all SKYACTIV technology, the Mazda6 is a flagship for more than one reason. Available as a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (of note: both transmissions are offered at the same price on the Mazda6 as the Japanese automaker believes drivers should drive what they want to drive, at no extra cost to them).
Let me say, the 2.5L I4 (which stretches across all three trim levels, GX, GS and GT) which puts out 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque is absolutely fantastic. Responsive, reactive and ready to perform whenever the need arises, Mazda has a fantastic product in their SKYACTIV engines and transmission. Fuel efficiency numbers are also quite good with the 6AT able to reach the 5.1L/100km mark on highways.
While I enjoyed driving the manual a great deal (and appreciated the precise shifts offered by the gearbox and easy-to-use clutch), I had just as much fun (if not a little more) with the automatic transmission that's just as eager to please. Kickdowns offer a throaty snarl out the rear and you're given a glimpse into why Mazda believes the 2014 Mazda6 is a driver's car. That nagging lag between shifts in sport mode 6ATs is pleasantly short and barely noticeable.
We were told that the Mazda6 development team focused on integrating a great deal of “Jinba-ittai” into the performance of the new model. What is that, you might ask? Well, a loose translation references a relationship between horse and rider as one. And while driving the 2014 Mazda6 isn't quite the same as hacking through the woods on my horse, I can see the integration of the mindset in the drive.
 |
| Let me say, the 2.5L I4 which puts out 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque is absolutely fantastic. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone) |
That dirty word... Diesel
Yup, that's right. There will be a diesel variant of the 2014 Mazda6 arriving shortly, as well. Featuring the SKYACTIV-D engine, this diesel-sucking Japanese vehicle will help Mazda target who they believe to be their main competition, the VW Passat.
I did not drive the diesel variant of the 2014 Mazda6 while I was in Austin, so cannot comment on the performance, however, I am eager to try it and so happy to hear that diesel is very much on its way to North America -- finally.
Priced to kill...
Alright, so for all this fancy SKYACTIV, KODO, fun-in-the-sun driveability, what are you going to have to dish out for the 2014 Mazda6? For a base GS model you'll start at the $24,595 mark; and for a top of the line GT decked out with a Technology Package you'll skim the $34,195 line. All in all, the 2014 Mazda6 is priced to adequately take on the competition, and with a diesel in the wings it's very likely going to crush quite a few along the way.