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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Mazda MAZDA6

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Mazda MAZDA6

Overview

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2013 Mazda MAZDA6 Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.9

Roughly the same size as the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata, the 2013 Mazda6 wears an aging design whose styling has held up well over the years. With lines inspired by the now-defunct RX-8, the Mazda6 definitely isn't a ho-hum family sedan. Unfortunately, the Mazda6's powertrain and communication technology hasn't kept pace with the competition - just look inside a Blue Link-equipped Hyundai Sonata if you need proof. The more affordable models are powered by a tepid 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, while the upper-end S trim gets a proper dose of power from a 3.7-liter V6. Handling, always a Mazda strength, is good on this sedan, but EPA highway fuel economy of 30 mpg fails to impress.

You'll Like This Car If...

If exterior styling is a key consideration when purchasing your next family sedan, the 2013 Mazda6 should definitely strike a chord. A firm suspension, tight steering and powerful V6 backup the car's sporty attitude.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Those who care more about mobile connectivity and high-tech toys than driving pleasure won't find much to like here. Such drivers might be better off in a Ford Fusion, Kia Optima or Chevrolet Malibu.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.9
Driving Dynamics

7.7
Comfort & Convenience

7.1
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.9
Value

6.5
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#16

out of 19

MPG

#10

out of 19

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.8 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

There are no major changes for the 2013 Mazda6 sedan.

Driving the MAZDA6

2013 Mazda MAZDA6 Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions In the 2013 Mazda6 sedan, you'll find a family 4-door that melds the best attributes of a luxury car with the spirit of a sport coupe to create a very...

un-family-like sedan. The 2.5-liter engine that's standard on i trims (Sport, Touring and Grand Touring) is responsive with one or two people on board, but becomes sluggish with a full complement of passengers. The 2.5-liter's performance cannot match that of the newer, more powerful 4-cylinder engines, such as in the Kia Optima. If you value performance, the best choice for the Mazda6 remains the 3.7-liter V6. Coupled to a 6-speed automatic with a manual mode and Mazda's well-tuned suspension, the V6 has the power to motivate the Mazda6 while still returning decent, but not best-in-class, fuel economy. This, in the final appraisal, is a mid-size sedan with sporting ambitions, although its size and engine/transmission lineup fall decidedly on the side of comfort over performance.

Favorite Features

6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Although available only on the i Sport trim, Mazda still offers a manual transmission in a mid-size, volume-targeted sedan, and it shall be celebrated. Happily, not only does Mazda still provide the ability to shift manually, but it equips its 6-speed manual with one of the very best linkages.

KEYLESS START AND GO
Not having to fumble with a key fob to gain access, or worry about finding the ignition slot at night, is the entire purpose behind this option. Simply keep the remote fob on your person and the Mazda6 allows you entry.

2013 Mazda MAZDA6 Details

2013 Mazda MAZDA6 Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Mazda's Mazda6 sedan for 2013 shuns the cluttered, over-designed dashes of many newer cars in favor of a simple, more elegant look. The dash uses large rotary knobs for the ventilation controls and soothing red backlighting for the gauges and steering wheel controls. The quality of the materials and their applications is first rate, as are the exceptionally supportive front seats. There's a feeling of great space inside the Mazda6, although headroom for the rear-seat passengers is lacking. Unfortunately, the Mazda6 doesn't offer any form of telematics (think GM's OnStar) or infotainment system (think Ford's SYNC). The 2012 Mazda6 doesn't even offer an iPod interface.

Exterior

The 2013 Mazda6's front fender design is clearly derived from the discontinued RX-8 sports car, which is in no way a bad thing. The sleek sedan profile and long swept-back C-pillars give it a coupe-like stance that is faintly reminiscent of the new class of 4-door luxury coupes, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS. With the exception of the base model's 16-inch wheel covers, we think Mazda offers some of the most attractive wheels in the segment. The Mazda6's aggressively-raked windshield, sloping rear window and smooth side panels look good and contribute to reduced aerodynamic drag.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Mazda6 i Sport has a smoothly-responsive 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary audio input jack, Sirius Satellite Radio and Dynamic Stability Control with traction control.

Optional Equipment

Moving up from the i Sport to the i Touring trim level adds 17-inch alloy wheels, 215/55R17 tires, fog lights, 8-way power driver's seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel, in-dash 6-disc CD changer and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio features. Going from the "i" to the "s" trim level adds the 3.7-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission; the V6 is rated at 272 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. Options for the Grand Touring include navigation, keyless entry and start, HID headlamps, heated side mirrors with driver's-side auto-dimming function and rain-sensing wipers.

Under the Hood

If the standard 2.5-liter, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine in the 2013 Mazda6 provides zoom, then it's left to the optional V6 to supply the zoom-zoom. Although not stellar, Mazda's base engine does a very respectable job of motivating the Mazda6, delivering 170 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon on the highway with the manual transmission. The 3.7-liter V6, available only with the automatic, adds just over 100 horsepower while being rated at 27 miles per gallon on the highway. If you value handling balance over outright acceleration, note that the 2013 Mazda6 V6 sedan outweighs the 4-cylinder version by 250 pounds, and most of that weight differential is over the front wheels, so the 4-cylinder version might be expected to be slightly more responsive to steering inputs.

2.5-liter inline-4
170 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
167 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg (manual); 21/30 mpg (automatic)

3.7-liter V6
272 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
269 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Mazda6 i Sport sedan (the "base" model) is well-equipped and has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting around $21,500. The mid-level i Touring with a 5-speed automatic is around $24,000, and a loaded s Grand Touring will be over $32,000. Thus, the 2013 Mazda6 is a value in the segment, although perhaps not as aggressively postured as the Hyundai Sonata. For an idea of what consumers are paying in your market area consult kbb.com's Fair Purchase Price. The Mazda6's projected resale value falls in the average range, far behind the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry.

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2013 Mazda MAZDA6 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 163 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.1/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.3/10

Practical sports sedan that looks/handles great

By Opie (IN) on Thursday, July 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Handling, style, fun to drive, value"

Cons: "fit/finish is great but too much plastic on dash"

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

"I get bored quick when it comes to cars. At 39 years old I have owned well over 20 different vehicles. I have had everything from pick-up trucks to sports cars. Now that I have a wife, 3 kids, and a picket fence I need something practical. I have both a 2009 Mazda6 I Grand Touring, and a 2012 Mazda5 Grand Touring. The 5 gets daily driving chores, and the 6 is used as a second car. Both are well equipped for the price and they do exactly what they are designed to do. Nothing out there handles like a Mazda. Obviously I can not compare my Mazda6 to a Shelby GT500. But compared to a Camry, Accord, or Altima, or other similarly priced mid-size sedans nothing comes close. You can look at specs all day long and make arguments for every car out there. What matters in the end is how the car feels on the road, and the Mazda won't disappoint."

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Awesome car

By narn3049 on Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Room for family, got a new car - My approximate mileage is 31,501

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

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

"Of the better car's I had. I sold it around 32k on it to get a new bigger car for the size of my growing family. The two issues I faced is the seat came unbolted once on the drivers side and my radio had to be replaced. Other than those two issues, it was a great car."

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Great car

By Dan (TX) on Saturday, May 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "great price, fun to drive, good handling, power"

Cons: "alloy wheels should be std, the steel wheels cheap"

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

"This time around, when buying a car, I focused on my needs rather than emotions or keeping up with the Jones. The Mazda 6 with the 6 speed manual represents the best compromise between fuel economy, comfort, power, and fun to drive. I added a spoiler, 17" alloy wheels with Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires, body side mouldings, and fog lights. The car now has everything I want and nothing I don't want. Mazda is the unsung hero of the Japanese imports."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Terrific value on a great driving car

By last901 (WA) on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 57,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "value, quality, styling, performance - nice stereo"

Cons: "none that I can think of so far."

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

"We've owned our 2009 Mazda 6s 3.5 V6 since new and, like al the Mazdas we've owned, it is great fun to drive, gets pretty good mileage with the V-6 and looks like a Lexus, but sportier. This is our 3rd Mazda 6 including previously owned 2003 S and 2004 Soprt Wagon - which I wish I hadn't sold. I've owned 2 Nissan Maximas, an Audi and a BMW and while those were good cars and also fun to drive, none of them compare to any of our Mazdas. Admittedly I also love the 3.5 6-cyl engine in our 2009 and haven't quite understood how the new 184hp engine could bring as much driving pleasure, but I think I'm going to try and see how they compare."

1 person out of 3 found this review helpful

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I love this car!

By Rich (MO) on Friday, May 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 31,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

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

"I've owned more than forty cars in my life and this is by far my favorite. (By the way, I also own a Miata and a Mazda5.) I love the way it looks, drives and feels and the seating comfort is perfect, front and rear. I'm reluctant to say this, but I can't look at it without smiling, even after owning it for three years. I get a consistent 26-27 MPG in city driving and 30-plus on the highway. The trunk is huge and the rear seat legroom is very generous. I can't comment on dealer service because it has never needed any, but the salesman was a pleasure to deal with and I returned to buy the Mazda5 from him for my wife. I will soon be looking him up to negotiate for a 2014 Mazda6."

4 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Great car for Mon-Fri and fun on the weekends!

By Freddy (CA) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,700

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Great Front Seats, Fun to drive, few on the road"

Cons: "Weak audio speakers"

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

"I bought a new 2013 Mazda6 Slate colored exterior/black cloth interior iTouring Plus. The test drive sold me on this car. I liked my younger sister's Mazda3 but needed more room, this fit the bill perfectly. I'm not a technology geek, so didnt need the fancy navigation system; quite happy with the level of technology in my car. So far I have racked up 1700 miles of carefree driving, the handeling is simply great right up there with my old VW Passat and Jetta. The only demerits are the lack of rear vents and the weak audio speakers. I would recommend this car to anyone especially if you want something different from the Camary, Accord, and Sonota crowd."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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