Real talk review time!
"Punching above your weight" is a term coined in boxing where a boxer demonstrates ability that would likely to be found in higher weight classes than the one they compete in.
My wife was in need of a new car after her first car; 2007 Sonata GLS with 90k miles looked like a Mad Max set piece from all the bumps and bruises. I wanted her to get a SUV seeing that we have a 10month old and I need an excuse to run Hoosiers on my Z06 for track work thus I could tow my car to the track instead of driving it there and back. Selfish yet respectable reasoning, I say!
However, she insisted on wanting a good sedan and waiting on the SUV until we have our 2nd favorite child. So i started looking at the normal known entities of the accords, camrys, A4's, 3 series, etc.
When reading through reviews, a car kept popping up that I didn't know much about before. That car being a Madza 6. It was outright difficult to find negative talk about it and compared to the Accord and Camry, it won every head to head that I read. Then I started looking at the pricing and I thought to myself, there has to be a catch here somewhere. As you know, too good to be true generally holds true but sometimes....
Finally, we decided to test drive one and wouldn't you know it, the damn thing feels good to drive. After driving one, it was pretty clear to her and myself that this was going to be our gap car from now until the SUV. Upon more internet probing, I discovered that our timing was very good in that 2015 models still were around while the 2016's had hit the showrooms. This means, deal time. I gathered a few e-bids and came to a price over the phone and picked up a 2015 Mazda6 Touring for $20,300. We threw in the looper of wanting to trade in our Hyundai at the last second and we got what we feel was stupid money for it, considering the condition. If they manage to turn a good profit on it, good for them! as I was in no mood to deal with seedy underbelly of used car selling on craigslist.
Now for the car itself. I'm pleasantly surprised by all the comforts and conveniences that come with the Touring package; backup camera, dual zone A/C, infotainment with all that you'd expect of it, 19inch rims, leatherette classy interior with very good seats (much better than my 85k Z06!). However, the real winner are the driving dynamics of the car. It's got very good steering feel and turns in well. Given that it is a FWD, you'll be ultimately limited by understeer but you are able to really feel the front tires through the wheels so dialing it out is rather easy. Suspension is sporty but without any harshness. Body roll is controlled and the car doesn't feel lost when doing quick transitions.
The tires are likely the limiting factor of this car. The Dunlop's sequel too early, prove to be excessively noisy and are low on the grip side. Once they are worn out, I'll change them to something respectable and I expect the handling prowess to shine even more. At 185hp and 185tq, it's not a stop light champion but with Mazda's SkyActive system, it hardly feels gutless. Freeway passes are done with ease and the 7 speed auto transmission always seems to find the right gear for what you're hoping to accomplish.
Anyone in the market looking at either sedans or good commuters that can put a good smile when encountering some curves in the road will be served to atleast give it a test drive. Make sure your salesman finds you a few good turns to drive through.
But punching above your weight isn't about winning in your own class. It's about how well you can perform in the higher classes. That's why even for those in the market for a Lexus IS, Audi A4 and others would be well advised to put down the glass of boxed wine and give a good look at this up and comer. On rare occasions, to good to be true proves false.
Because pictures:
Crystal Blue Metallic with black interior
