2020 Mazda 6

Let's see how it performs against the likes of the Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. The car falls in a segment that is already crowded with well-established players like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. But, the 6 boasts of arguably the best driving dynamics amongst the rivals.

The 2020 Mazda 6 sedan aims to cover a lot of ground and by the looks of it, it appears to have done it. Mazda uses a 2.5L engine for this sedan in two states of tune which produces 187 HP and 250 HP respectively. The engine comes mated to a 6-Speed transmission which sends power to the rear wheels.

 

Mazda’s modern sedan is offered in five trim levels which are spread over a wide price band. The Sport trim starts at $24,000 and ends with the Signature trim at $35,300. The 6 is offered with two engines, a naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-four motor which pumps out 187 horses and 186 pound-feet of torque and the latter, a turbocharged setup of the unit which pumps out a healthy 250 HP and 310 lb-ft.

Both the engines are coupled to a 6-Speed Automatic transmission which transmits the power efficiently to the front wheels. Other than the engines, other differences are confined to safety and comfort features which include exclusive Nappa leather upholstery in the top trims. Mazda has pitched the trims in an accessible manner which attracts a wider audience.

Trims	Sport	Touring	Grand Touring	Grand Touring Reserve	Signature
MSRP	$24,000	$26,600	$29,700	$32,200	$35,300
Features	2.5L I4	2.5L I4	2.5L Turbo I4	2.5L Turbo I4	2.5L Turbo I4
	LED headlights with auto-leveling and auto-off	All the features in Sport added or replaced and:	All the features in Touring added or replaced and:	All the features in Grand Touring added or replaced and:	All the features in rand Touring Reserve added or replaced and:
	Rain Sensing windshield wipers	Leatherette trimmed sport seats	Auto-dimming drivers exterior side mirror	Rear Decklid Spoiler	Nappa leather-trimmed sport seats
	17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels	19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels	Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink	Leather-trimmed sport seats	Mazda Navigation system
	Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control	6-Way power driver’s seat	Leather-wrapped steering wheel	8-way power driver’s seat	SiriusXM 3-year Traffic and Travel Link Subscription
	60/40 split-fold rear seats	3-level Heated Front seats	Paddle Shifters	6-way power front passenger seat	Front and rear parking sensors
	Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Bose Surround Sound Audio System	Adaptive Front-lighting system
	Blind Spot Monitoring System

Which trim of Mazda 6 should you opt for?

We would recommend you go for the 2.5L turbocharged engine equipped Grand Touring trim which treats you with a much more powerful engine and more standard creature comfort features for a nominal bump in price.

The Mazda6 comes with SkyActiv-G 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve engine and carries the same Inline-4 configuration as found in most cars in this segment. The transmission is available as both 6-Speed Manual and 6-Speed Automatic but the Manual transmission is only available in the base variant. This engine is able to produce 187 horsepower while generating 186 lb.-ft of torque.

But this is for the base trim, the remaining three trims are powered by a turbocharged version of the same engine. The turbocharged setup churns out 250 HP and 310 lb-ft of torque which is focused on delivering punchy performance without having to use a bigger and more polluting engine for the same. The turbocharged unit also translates to improved low-end torque which helps you slide out of at any given situation.

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
MSRP	$24,000	$23,870	$23,170	$23,220
Engine	2.5L I4	1.5L I4	2.5L I4	1.5L Turbo I4
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	CVT	6-Speed Automatic	CVT
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	192 hp @5500 rpm	173 hp @6000 rpm	163hp  @ 5700 rpm
Torque	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	192 lb-ft @1600 rpm	174 lb-ft @4500 rpm	184 lb.-ft.  @ 2500 rpm

Comparison wise, all the rivals are in the same price bracket are pretty closely matched, at least on paper. But, the honda accord gets the most powerful engine the lower curb weight helps it have an edge over the Mazda. Mazda comes out to be the second powerful car in the lot followed by Ford and Chevrolet.

Acceleration

Hit the gas pedal and you will experience the power that the 2020 Mazda 6 beholds in its engine. The car takes only 7.1 seconds to reach the 60 MPH mark from the standstill and 15.1 seconds for the quarter-mile run. 

In daily driving as well, the Mazda doesn't disappoint as the engine and transmission are tuned perfectly to deliver a smooth and engaging driving experience combined with the abundance of low-end grunt band improved fuel efficiency over the previous generation, the Mazda 6 is a real sensible sedan for those everyday office commutes.

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
0-60 MPH	7.1 s	7.6 s	8.9 s	8.5 s
Quarter mile	15.1 s	15.9 s	15.2 s	16.0 s
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	5.0	4.4	6.0	4.9

The 2020 Mazda 6 does perform really when in terms of outright acceleration, especially when compared to what others have to offer. The same can be seen in the Quarter-Mile figures where Mazda 6 is just a notch above other rivals. Ford Fusion is the slowest due to its maximum curb weight and Chevy ends up before Ford.

Ride and Handling

The Mazda 6 unarguably fares as a champ in this section with its precise suspension, responsive steering, and comfortable driver seat. The suspension is almost perfect for city scenarios as it turns graveled roads to silk and the well-weighted steering adds to its charm.

 Nonetheless, the car in itself is sufficiently fun to drive. The chassis is stiff, the kind of confidence this car exudes going into a corner at high speeds, and the steering feedback is much better than what would you expect at this segment and price range.

All in all, the Mazda 6 sedan is great at what it tries to sell, a family-sedan with a sporty DNA for when one wishes to indulge in driving pleasure. Along with the smart G-Vector control Plus technology which helps to tackle corners with more confidence as it adjusts power delivery and dampens the inner brakes to help maintain stability.

The suspension feels a bit firm when you opt for the 19-inch alloy wheels and they also tend to produce more road noise than the 17-inch alloys but then again you can’t neglect the sporty feel of the former.

Braking

The Mazda 6 covers a distance of around 127 feet before coming to halt from a cruising speed of 60 MPH. This proves that Mazda 6's strengths haven't been its braking and the 2020 version continues with the same pattern. 

Although, this is not as good as the competition, however, the difference is not significant enough to change your purchase decision. Brakes on the Mazda 6 feature an 11.7-inch rotor on the front and a 10.9-inch rotor at the rear. The smaller brake rotors are not a handicap for the 6 because of its clever trickery. 

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
Brake Front (in.)	11.7	11.5	11.8	11.8
Brake Rear (in.)	10.9	11.1	11.9	11.3
60-0 MPH (ft)	127	120	122	113

Chevrolet takes the crown of braking from 60-0mph. Ford Fusion features the biggest brakes of the lot as the extra bite is required to stop the added weight. Honda Accord with the smaller brakes comes out to be second best as it is lighter than the rest.

Even with an impressive performance, Mazda 6 is able to produce a fuel economy of 24 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.

The technology package that comes with the Mazda 6 results in improved fuel economy because of better engine optimization but it only gives a slight advantage which does not make it worth the extra bucks. The bigger 16.4-gallon tank also gives it the caliber to have an uninterrupted long journey.

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
MPG (city)	26	30	21	29
MPG (highway)	35	38	31	36
MPG (combined)	29	33	24	32
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.)	16.4	14.8	16.5	15.8
Range (City/Highway)	426/574	444/562	347/512	458/569

Honda takes the lead with the best fuel economy in its class. All because of the usage of its famed VTEC technology that helps save fuel when not in demand. Showcasing the least efficiency is Ford Fusion with the most weight. Chevrolet Malibu manages to get respectful numbers due to the turbocharged setup.

The seats on the Mazda 6 sedan are actually one of the best seats in this segment. The padding and bolstering are enough for providing optimum comfort for long hours. The passage in and out of the vehicle is easy and does not require any special attention. The driver seat and front seat come with an 8-way and 6-way power adjustment respectively. 

 

The padding is ideal and you won’t feel tired on those long family rides. The headroom and legroom are sufficient and even tall passengers won't face any problem having a nice time in the rear seats. That in spite of the fact that the 6 has a sloping roofline which I most cases does hamper the rear passenger headroom quite substantially but not in this case.

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.4/55.9/42.2	39.5/58.3/42.3	39.2/57.8/44.3	40.1/58.5/45.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.1/55.1/38.7	37.3/56.5/40.4	37.8/56.9/38.3	37.5/57.1/38.1

However, the headroom on front seats could have been improved and these seats have to be further adjusted in case you need to fix a baby seat on the rear. 

Segment leader Chevrolet features the best in the class headroom on the front side of the cabin with legroom of 45.3 inches. On the other hand, it's the Mazda comes out to be the smallest in terms of interior space. Ford and Honda have a much more spacious cabin 

Infotainment System

The 2020 Mazda 6 comes equipped with an 8-inch infotainment system which is mated to an 11- speaker audio setup. But nothing is without flaws, as the navigation system on the MazdaConnect is agonizing to use. The software lags sometimes and the feedback is slow. To make matters worse, you do not get an option to upgrade to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, one thing which is required the most nowadays.

Other features include :

Infotainment Features

• Mazda Navigation System
• Bose Centerpoint2 Surround audio System
• 11-Speakers
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 8-inch Mazda Connect Infotainment system
• Third-party Radio integration

The additional feature in the top trims is 3 years worth of SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link subscription which also includes information for traffic, weather, sports scores, fuel prices, and nearby parking spots.

Cargo Capacity

Involving drive with practicality, the Mazda 6 is a very fragile combination that not many cars can achieve. Although the Mazda does not offer the best in segment cargo space, it still manages to provide enough for making your life easy.

With 14.7 cubic feet of cargo volume, it struggles to cope with the average ones trying its best. While rear seats can be folded down to make up for extra space and for that you have to reach for the latches which are located in the trunk and require the user to get out and do the process.

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft)	14.7	16.7	16.0	15.8

Mazda 6 carries way low than all other rivals. With 14.7 cu.ft. of cargo space available compared to Honda and Ford and even Chevrolet. But, all 14.8 cu.ft space which seems way less than Honda Accord which houses 16.7 cu.ft.

Interior Features

• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate control with pollen filter
• Nappa leather-trimmed sport seats
• Sen wood door and dashboard trim inserts
• 8-Way power driver’s seat and 6-way power front passenger seat
• The 7-inch LCD meter display
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle Shifters
• Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink

But, the trunk available on the sedan is fairly easy to utilize. The loading angles are right, the boot lip is at the correct height, and space is enough for regular long drives or airport runs.

Mazda 6 is not particularly a big car but it does settle into its given dimensions rather well. The car doesn’t feel overly elongated or shortened from either of the sides. It does, however, weigh quite a lot with a curb weight of 3250 lbs.

Mazda has not made any drastic change to the Mazda 6 line-up for eight years now and the same is the case with the 2020 models but the design has been refreshed this time with bits of chrome additions and new LED headlights and tail lights. 

The Mazda offers class-leading ground clearance at 6.5 inches which makes it ideal for those city rides. No doubt, the 2020 Mazda 6 is one of the most distinct-looking sedans in this segment. With its sleek lines with modern cues that beautifully wrap the body on the compact chassis to give it a complete look.

Models	Mazda 6 Sport	Honda Accord LX	Ford Fusion S	Chevrolet Malibu LS
Length (in)	192.7	192.2	191.8	193.8
Width (in)	72.4	73.3	72.9	73
Height (in)	57.1	57.1	58.2	57.6
Ground clearance (in)	6.5	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wheelbase (in)	111.4	111.4	112.2	111.4
Track width (in) F/R	62.4/62.0	63.0/63.4	62.7/62.4	62.6/62.5
Curb weight (lbs)	3437	3131	3472	3135

All the cars come out to be of almost similar dimensions. While Chevrolet comes out to be the longest of them all. Coming on third position Honda Accord with its smart usage of space helps it chuck out a more comfortable cabin. 

Exterior Features

• Rear Decklid spoiler
• Power outside rearview mirrors
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED DRLs
• LED Auto On/Off Headlights
• Powered Moonroof

Mazda provides the maximum driver and safety assist features in this class. Mazda doesn’t compromise on the safety front and thus the 6 will always have you back in the journey. The IIHS and the NHTSA are yet to rate the 2020 Mazda 6 for safety ratings.

Some interesting features that help this Mazda stand out are the Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and a very useful speed limit detection sensor that detects speed limit boards and informs you if exceeded. 

Safety Features

• 6-Dual stage airbags
• 360-degree view monitor
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go
• LED DRLs
• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive LED headlights with Auto On/Off
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Hill Launch Assist

Mazda 6 vs Honda Accord Sedan

The 2020 Mazda 6 takes on the undefeated champ of this class, Honda Accord. Honda has managed to get the portion just right to deliver a wholesome sedan which is utterly reliable (Why not?, Its a Honda!), a robust engine that pumps out more power than its competition and a very clean and spacious cabin.

This mixture is a winning formula that has not been toppled for a long time now. Mazda 6 reaches close to dethroning the Accord but still hasn’t struck the right cord and so we will go for the 2020 Honda Accord.

Mazda 6 vs Ford Fusion 

The 2020 Ford Fusion has the most spacious front row in this class which translates to a completely different driving experience. It has an edge over the others in this class with the most comfortable seats and a clean dashboard. But then again it is weighted at creature comfort alone. 

However, the Mazda 6 gives you a much better proposition with a much more modern interior setup and a host of safety and creature comforts along with a more powerful engine. All of this makes the Mazda 6 a much better proposition here.

Mazda 6 vs Chevrolet Malibu

Chevy’s Malibu is the only sedan off the lot that locks horns with the Mazda in terms of dramatic and modern looks. Both have been designed much later than the other contenders which give them the edge in looks and modern features.

But the Malibu underpowered and is the least powerful of the lot which translates to an uninteresting driving experience. Practicality is also not at par with the Mazda and Mazda 6 is the best bet here.

The 2020 Mazda 6 can easily be recognized as a midsize family sedan with interiors comparable to a luxury counterpart. The exterior, though familiar, has a timeless aesthetic to it and as a result, it continues to look modern and contemporary even after all these years, and the interiors are some of the finest in this class. The performance is impressive, even better than most cars in the segment but you may have to compromise on the fuel economy.

All in all, this sedan packs a list of astounding features but a flaw accompanies it. Still, Mazda has done a great job keeping the price in limit with improvement in every segment. But, it still has to polish a few unfinished ends to provide a perfectly balanced car. 

Also, Read

How 2022 Mazda 6 RWD Can make you happy

2020 Mazda 6 Interior and Specs Explained

 

FAQS

Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my vehicle?

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.

Does the Mazda6 Offer Remote Start?

No, while most trims offer Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry with programmable lock/unlock settings, the remote engine start system does not come available on the Mazda6. However, the Remote Start System does come available on all of our new Mazda crossovers and standard on the Mazda3 hatchback.