2003-2005 Mazda 6 s

Pros :
- Decent V6 with more than 200 horses.
- Sporty exterior design.
- Class-leading handling.
- High quality interior materials.
- Cheaper than its mid-size competitors.

Cons :
- A little more road noise than competitors.
- Not the biggest mid-size sedan in the market.
- Power falls short of some of its benchmark competitors.
- Questionable resale value due to lack of image.
- Rear headroom tight for very tall passengers.

Interior :

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Press Coverage :
The multiple award-winning Mazda 6, also known as the Mazda6, was introduced for the 2003 model year to replace the unloved 626 midsize sedan. The four-door sedan debuted first, and then the Sport Wagon and 5-door were added to the lineup for the 2004 model year. The "s" trim is the V6 version of the 6, available with either a five-speed manual or five-speed SportShift automanual. Power comes from a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 with variable valve timing, and standard features include ABS with EBD, traction control, eight-way power driver's seat, 16-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels, and a perimeter alarm system. Options include leather seating, power moonroof, front seat side air bags, and $860 the Sport Package. The Sport Package adds 17-inch wheels with aggressive front and rear fascias, integrated fog lights, side sill extensions, rear wing, oval-tipped exhaust outlets and titanium-look power window switch panels. Interestingly enough, the Sport Package is standard on the wagon and 5-door. The 5-door models also get a body-colored sport grille and rear wiper/washer.
Mazda prides itself on the 6's handling, so no sport suspension option is offered. Based on the Euro-market Ford Mondeo, a sportscar-like double-wishbone front and E-type multi-link rear suspension with standard stabilizer bar help resist body roll and weight transfer, minimizing understeer and providing a driving experience that rivals a BMW, let alone the more boring midsizers like the Accord, Camry, Malibu and Altima. The Sport Package cars use 215/50VR17 Michelin tires instead of the standard 205/60R16s. Grip is adequate right up to its cornering limit, which is higher that other cars in its class. The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering varies the load on the wheel depending on the speed. A quick steering ratio—only 2.54 turns lock-to-lock—gives the 6 a keen sense of agility. Ride quality does not suffer much with the sport suspension, but road and wind noise is higher than most of its midsize competitors. The Mazda 6 has very good braking power helped by all-wheel disc brakes and ABS with EBD, with short stopping distances and resistance to fade.
From the exterior, Sport Wagon and 5-Door differ from the sedan only from the B-pillar back. The 5-Door’s roof line slopes gradually to the rear decklid for an aggressively aerodynamic yet elegant appearance. Opening the liftgate of the 5-Door reveals a covered cargo compartment with 22.0 cubic feet of space, nearly 50 percent more than that of the 15.2 cubic feet trunk of the sedan. Additionally, the huge opening makes for easier loading and unloading. Rear seats fold with the touch of a button and there is no need to remove the head rests. With the rear seats folded, cargo space expands to 58.7 cubic feet, with cargo tie-downs and two hidden compartments offering more options for stowage. The Sport Wagon has more than its share of roominess and flexibility. The second-row seats fold with the touch of a lever located near the tailgate with no need to remove the head rests for a near-flat load floor. Tie-downs, a retractable cargo cover shade and a barrier-type net. The rear compartment offers a generous 33.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats up and 60.4 cubic feet with them folded, which is in the same league as some SUVs. Additionally, the spacious interior offers almost as much space as the largest of the midsizers, although the Mazda 6 looks smaller on the outside, with good front and rear seating space. Material quality is first rate, and build quality is excellent inside and out.
ModernRacer.com

Behind the wheel, the driver is greeted by a well-executed interior brimming with quality. The black, textured dash material looks and feels as if it came out of a BMW. The large chrome-rimmed tachometer and speedometer are easily legible through the three-spoke steering wheel. A titanium-colored center stack houses the stereo and HVAC controls. It's all nicely laid out, nicely done. The sporty seats adjust in four directions, and it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. Front legroom is generous at 42.3 inches, more than that offered by the Accord, Camry, Taurus, and Passat. Moreover, the steering wheel both tilts and telescopes. Comfort can also be found in the safety features. The front seats feature a new anti-whiplash design, and the pedals deploy away from the driver's feet in the event of a collision. As for inflatables, the 6 will be available with up to six airbags, including dual-stage front airbags, front-seat side airbags, and optional side-curtain airbags.
On the road, the 6 proved to be a stable cruiser, providing a comfortable, quiet ride even into triple-digit speeds. When the roads turned serpentine, the 6 remained a predictable handler, exhibiting little body roll and moderate understeer when pushed hard. Credit goes to Mazda engineers who tuned the unequal-length control-arm front and multilink rear suspension with some European flavor.
Caranddriver.com

Steering performance from the power-assisted rack and pinion setup is exemplary, with drivers citing the likes of the BMW 3 Series as a comparison. Its turning circle of 38.7 feet is on the wider side for this class, but none of the others can match the 6 in terms of feedback from the road and linearity.
Complementing the steering is its all-independent suspension, composed of double wishbones in the front and multiple links in the rear. It's one of the most well-controlled front-drive cars we've driven, remaining balanced and responsive even when pressed toward its limits.
Confidence can also be derived by the excellent stopping power of the four-wheel disc brakes. Our test vehicle was assisted by optional ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and traction control, which combined to bring the car from 60 to zero mph in 120 feet, outperforming all the other cars of this class. With little fade and a firm and linear pedal progression, the brake system's authority corresponds with the rest of the drivetrain. In addition, front side airbags are standard while front and rear passenger side curtain airbags are optional.
Our 3,311-pound test vehicle was inspired to move by a 3.0-liter V6 that uses variable intake valve timing to produce 220 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Power delivery is smooth, save for a slight deficit in the low-end area. Passing force is plentiful, with a burst at the mid- and upper ranges when you need to merge into traffic, accompanied by a cheery exhaust note to enhance the experience of forward motion. While its 0-to-60-mph acceleration time is perfectly acceptable for this class of vehicle, the 6 falls short of the 240-horsepower benchmarks set by the Nissan Altima and, more recently, the Honda Accord, both of which provide sprints of seven seconds or less.
Edmunds.com

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History:
1998-2002 Mazda 626 V6
2,497 cc / 165 hp / 161 lb-ft / 3023-3106 lbs / 0-60 mph 8.5 sec.