Nuts & Bolts
2009 Mazda 6i Sport
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Complaints: The five-speed automatic should be six-speed. I think Mazda might have erred by making the new Mazda 6 larger than its predecessor. This model is nice. It would be nicer in an even smaller, tighter package.
Ride, acceleration and handling: There is excellent performance in all three categories. The four-cylinder Mazda 6 serves well both as a commuter and long-distance runner.
Body style/layout: The 2009 Mazda 6 is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive, mid-size, mid-priced family sedan.
Head-turning quotient: Very attractive inside and out. I like that Mazda's designers deliberately used Japanese cultural flavor. There is a reverence for the tiniest details, right down to the feel of dials on the panel.
Engine/transmissions: The tested 2009 Mazda 6i comes with a 2.5-liter, 16-valve, inline four-cylinder engine that develops 170 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 167 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 revolutions per minute. That engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that also can be shifted manually. Models with V-6 engines and six-speed automatic transmissions are available.
Capacities: There are seats for five people. Luggage capacity is 16.6 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of gasoline.
Mileage: Most of my driving was urban, during which I averaged 20 miles per gallon in lots of stop-and-go -- but mostly stop -- traffic. The four-cylinder Mazda 6 has a federal rating of 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Safety: Four-wheel disc brakes with antilock control are standard. Other standard equipment includes side and head air bags and electronic stability and traction control.
Price: The base price on the 2009 Mazda 6i Sport with four cylinders and a five-speed automatic transmission is $21,150. Dealer's invoice price on that model is $19,557. Price as tested -- no options in this case -- is $21,820, including a $670 destination charge. Dealer's price as tested is $20,227. Prices sourced from Mazda, Edmunds.com and Cars.com, an affiliate of The Washington Post.
Purse-strings note: The 2009 Mazda 6 is a very strong contender in a crowded, competitive market. Compare with the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Focus, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry.
