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10 Best Sedans Under $25,000

2009 Mazda MAZDA6

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Mazda MAZDA6

Overview

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2009 Mazda MAZDA6 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Mazda has long been known for its dramatic styling and unconventional ideas. What Mazda has not been known for is an ability to compete in the mid-size family sedan market, a territory that up until now has been dominated by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But the new MAZDA6 may find an audience here, offering commendable marks in the areas of interior space, fuel economy and performance, while demonstrating styling both inside and out that takes it to the top of the class.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a family sedan that favors the driving enthusiast, the 2009 MAZDA6's cockpit-like interior, aggressive look, athletic suspension and eager powertrains make this four-door a real eye-opener.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If your idea of the perfect family car is one with a softer ride and limo-like rear-seat room, you might want to look into the Honda Accord, Chrysler 300 or Chevrolet Malibu. While on paper the MAZDA6's interior is numerically larger, the sloping roof and high beltline make it feel, in some ways, a little more cramped.

What's New for 2009

The 2009 MAZDA6 has been completely redesigned from the ground up. Changes go beyond the cosmetic, with two new engine choices, a host of near-luxury like amenities and dimensions that place the MAZDA6 at the top of its segment. By offering the four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission in the Grand Touring trim, Mazda does not penalize drivers who prefer the fuel-efficient four-cylinder over the pricier V6. The new Mazda MAZDA6 is so good that about the only thing we'll miss from the previous generation is the funky five-door hatchback model.

Driving the MAZDA6

Driving Impressions The 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 is sportier than the last generation, with an eager V6 engine and a firm but comfortable suspension that makes the car feel more like a sporty...

coupe than a mid-size family sedan. With more horsepower and torque, the MAZDA6 climbs hills with little effort and approaches freeway speeds in a relatively short time. Mazda increased the structural rigidity and refined the suspension, with part of the benefit being enhanced steering precision and reduced body roll in corners. The tuning improvements are immediately apparent, as the car feels secure through the tightest of turns. In the cabin, there is minimal road and wind noise, which makes for a quiet, if not luxury-car quiet, ride. If we could make one request of the Mazda design team it would be that the comfortable leather seats could do with more aggressive side bolsters. The MAZDA6 looks and feels much sportier than the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but its interior seems less spacious, and its four-cylinder engine isn't as powerful as those offered in some other Japanese competitors.

Favorite Features

3.7-liter V6 engine
Providing 60 more horsepower than the 3.0-liter V6 from the previous-generation MAZDA6, the 3.7-liter V6 propels the car with ease, whether it be darting through intersections or doing some spirited driving.

Blind Spot Monitoring System
A little light on each of the side mirrors indicates when another vehicle is in your blind spot area. And, when the turn signal is on, a beeping sound further indicates that the blind spot isn't clear.

2009 Mazda MAZDA6 Details

Interior

From the base SV trim level to the top-of-the-line Grand Touring model, the 2009 Mazda MAZDA6's interior has a refined polish and a sense of symmetry unmatched in the mid-sized segment. The comfortable seats are offered in cloth, cloth and leather or full leather trim and are heated on Grand Touring trims. Beyond its generous rear seat knee and legroom, and full complement of front and side-impact airbags, the MAZDA6's interior exudes a feeling of solidity and thoughtful construction. Gauges are clear and easy to read, with colored backlighting that is easy on the eyes. The optional equipment roster reads kind of like a Lexus check-list, and includes such notable features as push-button start, voice-activated navigation and auto-dimming inside and outside mirrors.

Exterior

The 2009 MAZDA6 has a sleek new appearance aimed squarely at style-conscious motorists. Borrowing design elements from the RX-8, the MAZDA6 stands out from the rest of the category with a bold front-end design incorporating Mazda's signature five-point grille, angled headlamps, sleek hood-to-fender lines and robust fender flares housing standard 16-inch wheels. The rear fascia has an arched decklid with a subtle lip that accentuates the car's aggressive stance, while little features such as the inset exhaust tips and red and clear LED tail lamps give the car a high-end look that seems at odds with its attractive $20,000 starting price.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The entry-level MAZDA6 SV is nicely equipped and includes a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, power door locks and windows, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), automatic headlamps, power mirrors, MP3/SIRIUS satellite-compatible AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, 16-inch steel wheels and two 12-volt power outlets. Keeping its occupants safe means standard front, side and side-curtain airbags, LATCH rear child-seat anchors, Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control.

Optional Equipment

Most of the options are available through the higher trim levels and packages. Some of these features include a 3.7-liter V6 engine, five- or six-speed automatic transmission, a voice-activated navigation system, auxiliary input jack, cruise control, remote keyless entry, push-button start, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, heated seats, power driver and passenger seats, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels and leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel and shift knob. The "Convenience" package includes dual-zone auto climate control, xenon headlamps, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, Blind Spot Monitoring System and rain-sensing wipers, while the "Moonroof and Bose" package includes a power moonroof and Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound audio with a six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers.

Under the Hood

The new four-cylinder engine in the 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 is increased to 2.5 liters, resulting in more power without sacrificing fuel economy. For the optional V6, Mazda uses the 3.7-liter engine from the CX-9 crossover utility vehicle. As with the four-cylinder engine, Mazda was able to manage a big jump in the MAZDA6's horsepower and torque without causing a significant reduction in fuel economy. Sadly, the wonderful six-speed manual available with the 2.5-liter engine is not offered with the automatic-only V6.

2.5-liter in-line four
170 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
167 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29 (manual); 21/30 (automatic)

3.7-liter V6
272 horsepower @ 6250 rpm
269 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25

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2009 Mazda MAZDA6 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 146 Ratings for the 2009 - 2012 Mazda 6 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

9.1/10

Performance

9.1/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.3/10

Great value, lots of space for a 6 Footer

By Will_likes_it100 (MI) on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 23,325

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "head/leg room, great performance, realiable, seats"

Cons: "No automatic locking feature, rattling window,"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Let me just start by saying I've owned my Mazda6 for 5 months now and I enjoy getting behind the wheel just as much as I did the day i first got it. My previous car was a 2000 Ford Taurus which overall was a decent car but began to become a money pit so it was time for something new. I'm am 23, 6'5', male 300lb (think line-backer build) and leg and head room was at the top of my list. I also knew I wanted a mid-size sporty car with good performance, fuel economy wasn't a major concern but I didn't want a gas guzzler either. I'm very picky and researched cars for a month and a half. I literally test drove every mid-size car with low miles from all the car makers. The max amount that I was willing to finance after my trade in and down payment was $16000. My short list came down to a used Mazda6 or brand new Chrysler 200. The 200 had originally won out, but it was still a bit too new and I couldn't get the price down low enough to fit into my limit. So ended up buying a 2009 Ebony Black Certified Pre-Owned M6 with only 16555 miles for $14,995 (bought in December to take advantage of year end deals). Great value. Overall this is a great car that blends style, performance, and fuel economy very well. After driving this car for 5 months now I can honestly say it is a pure dream. I understand what Mazda Zoom-Zoom means now. It has great leg and headroom for a mid-size. This was the main reason most cars got eliminated on my list. I have the I-4 engine which is more than adequate for a daily driver. This car comes alive on the freeway :) The only cons I have about this car is that it does not have automatic locking when the vehicle begins to move. My Taurus had that and so many others cars do to so it seems weird that Mazda didn't install this feature. These days it is dangerous driving around with unlocked door(s). My second issue is a rattling drivers door window which I've spoken to the dealer about, it's not covered by warranty but will be a simple repair under $150 (certainly not the end of the world). There is also a design flaw in which hot air from the engine bay can be sucked into the cabin vents and blow hot air in the cabin even when the system is off and its a cool breezy day where AC is not wanted. After checking online forums, the solution is basically blocking this "hole" using tape or foam. I used 3m double sided tape and it took about 15 mins but it was very simple fix and does not look "tacky". (This issue could have been addressed now with newer 2011 model years) If you are on the fence, go with the 6, its a great car thats not a cookie-cutter and stands out from the pack. Certainly not perfect but all cars have quirks."

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Mazda6-Great looking Car- Just don't drive it!

By MarkRS68 (NJ) on Thursday, May 10, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,500

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Great Looks, Good Build quality, Great handling,"

Cons: "Truly Horrible Gas Mileage, Lack of power in 4cyl"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"My 2010 Black Grand Touring Sedan is an awesome-looking car,a definate change from the other manufacturers. However, Mazda is NOT what Mazda used to be. First, the comfort of the seats on long trips is terrible. Yes, the leather looks good, and the seats have a myriad of adjustments, including lumbar support, but I just can not get comfortable on long trips. The 4 cylinder engine is underpowered unless you spend the money on at least the mid-range gas from Shell or BP! Seriously I have noticed a difference in power when filling with these two brands. My greatest complaint, and one that has me actually looking to trade this car in is the horrendous gas mileage! There is a huge discrepency between what the sticker says the estimated mpg is and what the actual mpg truly is! On reading about Mazda on blogs and talking with friends who are mechanics, I have come away with the impression that Mazda engines were built to run premium fuel and "Modified" to run on regular. Hence, the engine's poor performance with regualr unleaded and the brutal gas mileage. Its a shame, its a great looking car with a lot of great features but with other cars that have newer technology and better MPG overall, there is no debate that the Mazda6 will be traded for something better!"

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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