New Car Review of the 2005 Mazda6 Mid-Size Sedan and Wagon

Description: Mid-Size Sedan and Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $18,995 - $26,795
Invoice Price Range: $17,530 - $24,707
Where built: USA

Mazda's sporty mid-size sedan draws from a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine or twin-cam 3.0-liter V6.

The sleek package displays styling hints borrowed from European touring cars. A 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.

Changing the optional equipment forges new Sport and Grand Touring editions with new safety gear added like side-impact air bags and curtain-style side air bags. Also, the Sport's automatic transmission on V6 models upgrades to 6-speed configuration for smooth shifting.

A five-door model called -- go figure -- Mazda6 5-Door looks similar to the four-door sedan yet carries a back gate and cargo bay that expands with rear seatbacks folded. And a five-door station wagon also shares components of the Mazda6 sedan but shows the boxy contours of a wagon. Its cargo compartment measures to 33.7 cubic feet with seats up and 60.4 cubic feet with seatbacks down.