Car Review of the 2003 Mazda6 Mid-Size Sedan

Base MSRP Range: $18,650 to $21,220

Base Invoice Range: $17,205 to $19,569
Price Quote

MSRP As Tested: Not available

Versions: i, s

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested: Standard 2.3-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, Inline-4 cylinder, 160-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 155 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm.

Optional 3.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6 cylinder, 220-horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 192 lb-ft torque at 6,000 rpm.

Transmission As Tested: Standard 5-Speed Manual or optional 4-speed Automatic with manual shift mode.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): i: manual – 25/32, automatic – 23/29. s: manual – 20/27, automatic 19/27.

Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front airbags, ventilated, power-assisted, disc brakes, "> Antilock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (optional in i), Traction Control (optional in i), Vehicle Dynamic Control (standard in manual transmission) In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release, Remote Keyless Entry.

Competition: Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Mitsubishi Galant, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, Toyota Camry

BANNING, Calif. -- With only empty air lurking beyond a guard rail until the desert floor appears thousands of feet below, we must carefully carve a line around each switchback on wiggly California 243, which runs down from snow-clad slopes of Mt. San Jacinto at Idyllwild to pancakes flats of sand in Banning.

So we're steering a precise course through serpentine curves on the ridgeback descent, pushing the throttle through infrequent straights but nailing each apex on a whip-zip-whip fandango of a dance down the mountain.

And, although this run may seem dicey with all of that air pitched out there beyond flimsy rails, it's really a no-sweat trick for one particular sport-tuned sedan.

This new car -- rigged with an optional performance package that applies 17-inch P215/50 speed-rated tires and clear-lens halogen foglamps plus twin exhaust tips and a spoiler on the tail -- virtually flies down the route.

Consider it the pavement-hugging and curve-craving new flagship from the "Zoom-Zoom" brand of Mazda, whose reputation for producing sporty cars tracks back to the two-seat MX-5 Miata roadster and RX-7 hatchback.

Originating in Japan but allied now with Ford Motor Company, Mazda has whittled its 2003 product line by deleting two venerable sedans -- elite Millenia and mid-size 626 -- but replacing the pair with a contemporary new front-wheel-drive (FWD) four-door sedan dubbed simply as the 6, the Mazda 6.

Constructed on a stiff new platform, the 6 looks aggressive in a slick package that hints at styling points for future Mazda products.

It comes with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 powertrain and carries the right kind of mechanical hardware to generate nimble traits of a sporty car while under the guise of a conventional four-door sedan.

It even effects the no-nonsense personality of Mazda's fun-to-drive Miata.

The four-door sedan version of Mazda 6 becomes a 2003 issue, but product planners at Mazda say the platform will accommodate other conformations so we may see the 6 rolling out as a five-door station wagon as well as a five-door hatchback in the next year or so.

Mazda 6 as a sedan shows an aggressive package design with the athletic stance distinguished by pronounced shoulders and exaggerated wheel arches.

The sleek and clean design displays styling hints borrowed from European touring cars. It features narrow cat-eye headlamps with multiple lenses wrapped around front corners as bookends for a chrome-capped grille, which punctuates the point on a stepped hood and deep fascia marked by broad air intake ports.

A wedge-shaped stance with the high-hiking beltline and a raked-back windshield combined with big wheels posed below broad shoulders make the 6 look like it's ready to pounce down the road.

There are two editions of the car marked as 6i and 6s.

The former uses a four-cylinder powertrain and the latter totes the six-pack.

Standard wheel package for 6i consists of 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers and P205/60 H-rated all-season radial tires.

These same tires mounted on cast aluminum wheels carry the 6s.

Mazda shows the sporty performance package available on both models with five-spoke cast aluminum wheels at 17 inches plus the V-rated radials.

A stiff new platform for Mazda 6 features a long wheelbase with the rollers spread wide to forge a broader track and boost stability. Front track measures to 60.6 inches with the four-in-line engine but 60.2 inches with the V6.

Mazda's engineers specified an independent double-wishbone suspension up front like the design for Miata with a low roll center to make the 6 even more agile for hugging every contour when tracking through a set of curves.

At the rear, there's Mazda's patented E-link design for a compact package with multiple links noted for the high lateral rigidity and a comfortable ride quality due to the long suspension travel.

The concise design of the rear suspension coupled with low-profile coil springs and angled shock absorbers ends up with minimal intrusion to the car's floor area so trunk space is not sacrificed. Further, the assembly sets up more rear seat knee and legroom for riders in the cabin because the seat can be anchored further toward the rear.

Also working for sporty driving traits is a power-assisted rack and pinion steering device tuned to feel direct and precise. A quick steering ratio -- only 2.54 turns from wheel lock to lock -- means only the slightest movement when running at speed will point the nose quickly where you want it to go.

For keen stopping power, there's a big disc brake mounted at every wheel with optional electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and computer linkage to an anti-lock brake system (ABS). A traction control system (TCS) is also included with ABS and EBD on 6s.

For strength, 6i stocks a dual-cam 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 160 hp at 6000 rpm plus torque of 155 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.

The 6s gets a twin-cam 3.0-liter V6 juiced up to 220 hp at 6300 rpm with 192 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm.

In Mazda's sporty tradition, both plants are available with a five-speed manual transmission.

Also offered is a dual-mode automatic shifter -- configured in four forward gears for 6i and five for 6s.

The spacious cabin, with two front buckets and a rear bench for three with split folding seatbacks, adds titanium-finish trim elements on the central dash with round dials and chrome accents.

Also, the leather-wrapped steering wheel is telescopic and adjusts for tilt and rake positions with the release of a single lever to provide the driver with a perfect fit.

All analog gauges in the instrument cluster, inspired from aircraft instruments, have red lamps and at night glow with easy-read clarity.

Optional packages include an audio kit with Bose sound system and in-dash CD changer or the performance package with larger wheels and tires plus the foglamps and spoiler. Mazda sets price points at only $18,530 for 6i with a manual stick and $21,100 for 6s with the manual.

Editors' Ratings

Pros: Nice design, comfortable interior, nice handling and good performance with the V6 engine.

Cons: Low prestige factor.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: X
• Performance: X
• Price: X
• Handling: X
• Ride: X
• Comfort: X
• Quality: X
• Overall: X

More Data

Where Built: XXX

Major Options: Premium Package, Sport Package, Comfort Package, Chrome Appearance Package, Bose Audio Package. Engine block heater, body moldings, cover, mud guard, wind deflector, large wheels and tires, halogen lights, high-mount brake light, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, floor mats, power driver's seat, moonroof, upgraded audio, in-dash 6-CD player, auto dimming mirrors, cargo net, cargo tray, dual front side-impact airbag, dual front and rear side air curtains, antitheft system.

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Crash Test Ratings:

• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: Not Yet Tested


• IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Not Yet Tested

Length in Inches: 186.8

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 4 years/50,000 free Roadside Assistance.

Weight in Pounds: i: manual – 3,042, automatic – 3,091. s: manual – 3,243, automatic – 3,311.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not Available

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not Available

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 18

Destination Charge: $520