Mazda 6 Sedan

I was reluctant to get it at first bcos im not a fan of direct injection. Only toyota got it right with D4S. But after visiting mazda service centre, they do walnut blasting regularly to keep the intake valves clean. Service centre experience is good but not exceptional. But their service report is amazing. I did aircon cleaning package and came back with 10 page report with photos! Wow. Coming from a 2010 camry 2.0, this car is definitely on the stiff and sporty suspension side. The mazda just doesnt hv the comfy ride of a camry. Even though the mazda 6 has 162bhp, it just doesnt feel as lively as the weaker camry 2.0 with 147bhp. Probably bcos of the transmission. The mazda transmission feels locked up torque converter once i drive off. Hence the transmission doesnt feel silkly smooth. Nor does it make the mazda 6 feel lively to drive. But mazda does give sport mode which keeps the revs high, but im more into fuel efficiency than power. And it doesnt disappoint, i easily get 10km/L without even trying hard with i-stop off. The camry 2.0 only 8km/L. But then again whatever savings you get from direct injection is all wasted when mazda has to do walnut blasting to keep the intake valves clean. Mazda also recommends regular use of fuel injector cleaner to keep the direct injectors clean. The boot space of the mazda 6 is also shallower than the camry, but makes up for it with fold down rear seats. So why did i give the mazda 6 five stars when clearly i have a preference for my old 2010 camry 2.0 which drives so smoothly and comfy and good NVH and feels more powerful than the mazda 6? I believe this car can go beyond the 10 year mark and reach 15 or even 20 years peaceably without being a money pit. I hv owned many cars and many hv become money pits as they age. Many cannot even make it to the 10 year mark peaceably. But i think mazda got it right with the mazda 6 2.0, dont fix what's not broke. At 225k right now, its really good value for money considering it can likely go beyond 10 years without being a money pit. And 2.0L engine is more tax friendly beyond 10 years. Now camrys are all hybrid and im doubtful it can go beyond 10 years without being a money pit. They dont build it like they used to before. And 2.5L is not tax friendly after 10 years. And finally my 27 yr old son loves driving the mazda 6. He calls the camry an old man car!... Read More

I'm surprised the Mazda 6 is still on sale over a decade after its debut in 2014. I owned the latest facelift model for two years, purchased in 2021 for $105k. Given its current price of over $200k, I wouldn't consider buying it now. In the two years I had it, a few issues came up that I didn't expect from a Japanese-made car. First, the factory leather on the driver's seat side bolster wore out, showing cracks and exposing the inner layer. Agent claimed it was wear and tear, so they didn't cover it under warrantyâ€"surprising, considering even my IKEA leather sofa has held up longer. Next, the brake hold button light stopped working in less than two years, meaning I had to replace the brake hold button switch. I also had issues with the side mirrors, which stopped folding properly, requiring a motor replacement. As for performance, the car feels underpowered. Weighing nearly 1600 kg with a 2.0 NA engine, it struggles to take off from a stoplightâ€"even a Vios could probably outpace it. The only real positives are the handling around corners and the exterior design. Some say it drives like a Japanese "Conti," And while it has some of the aesthetic appeal, that's where the comparison ends. The Toyota Camry, its closest competitor is more refined and quiet inside the cabin and pulls off effortlessly at the lights. Now back to driving a real conti if i could afford $200+k... Read More