2009 Mazda Mazda6 - Best New Car
Tuesday, July 29th, 20082009 Mazda Mazda6 - Best New Car : In the first half of 2008, with the market down but the huge midsize sedan segment up vs. 2007, the Mazda6 finished a distant 10th at just 33,000 units, trailing its far more popular Japanese rivals Toyota Camry (240K), Honda Accord (206K), Nissan Altima (158K), rising domestic stars Chevy Malibu (89K), Ford Fusion (88K) and Pontiac G6 (86K), Korean Hyundai’s Sonata (66K) and Chrysler’s Sebring (48K) and Dodge Avenger (41K).
2009 Mazda Mazda6 Photos:
Mazda has upsized and up-muscled both available engines. The standard DOHC, 16-valve four, up to 2.5 liters (from 2.3L), generates a respectable 170 hp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque. The available DOHC, 24-valve V-6—designed by part-owner Ford, assembled in Japan by Mazda and shared by the CX-9 crossover—is up to 3.7 liters (from 3.5L), pumps out a best-in-class 272 horses and 269 lb.-ft. Both feature aluminum blocks, variable (intake) valve timing and port (not direct) fuel injection. Both also run happily on regular fuel.
2009 Mazda Mazda6 Photos:
On the quality front, the ’09 Mazda6 will be assembled at Mazda’s Flat Rock, Michigan plant with every effort made to ensure impeccable initial and long-term integrity. The previous-generation car was far behind its top rivals in J.D. Power’s 2008 Initial Quality Survey (IQS) rankings, for example, so we’ll have to accept Mazda’s good intentions on faith for now.