New Car Review of the 2006 Mazda 6 Mid-Size Sedan

Base MSRP Range: $19,110 - $29,925

Base Invoice Range: $17,658 - $27,608

MSRP As Tested: $27,260

Versions: Base, Sport, Grand Touring

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive

Standard Engine: 2.3-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 160 -horsepower at 6000 rpm and 155 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Five-speed automatic 24/31, Five-speed manual 23/32.

Optional Engine: 2.3-liter, Turbocharged, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 274 -horsepower at 5500 rpm and 280 lb-ft torque at 3000 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Six-speed automatic 19/27, Five-speed manual 23/32.

Optional Engine: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 215 - horsepower at 6300 rpm and 199 lb-ft torque at 5000 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Six-speed manual 19/25.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic, Five-speed manual, Six-speed automatic, Six-speed manual.

Standard Safety Features: Dual front airbags, ">Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, Emergency inside trunk release.

Competition: Buick Century, Chrysler Sebring, Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Stratus, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mercury Milan, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Pontiac Grand Prix, Suzuki Verona, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat.

Call me a cynic, but I believe the majority of today's cars are designed and built for people who hate cars.

Think about it. One of the world's top-selling sedans, the Toyota Camry, is the automotive equivalent of a kitchen appliance. People who shop for a Camry go about the process exactly as if they were looking for a Sunbeam toaster or Whirlpool refrigerator, seeking longevity, efficiency, a good brand name and -- above all -- the simple ability to get people from place to place without a fuss.

I'm convinced that people buy Camrys not because they're particularly passionate about the car, but because they merely view cars as tools to accomplish a task. They want their kitchen blender to work when they press a button, and they want their car to work when they turn the key - simple as that.

That's all well and good, but it ignores the fact that there's a large group of drivers who understand that cars are the closest thing man has created to a living organism. Some cars like to be stroked and coddled like a newborn baby, while others aren't happy unless they're being thrashed about on a country road, tires squealing and engine screaming for more.

Cars have a soul.

Few manufacturers understand this concept as thoroughly as Mazda, a company that builds cars for people who love to drive. Mazda doesn't build cars to be automotive appliances that drive you around the block, but as a person's soulmate created out of steel - the kind of car that creates a real, honest-to-goodness emotional attachment when you get behind the wheel.

Such is the case with the Mazda 6, a sporty four-door car that competes, at least in theory, with the Camry and all its dull copycats. It can certainly get you around the block in relative comfort, and it's got a trustworthy reputation for reliability. But it's so much more than a transportation appliance.

Everything about this car is designed to make a driving enthusiast happy, albeit one who has to settle for the utility of a sedan over the sheer thrills of a two-seat sports car. It's as fun as cars get without being impractical.

Handling is sharp as a cat's claw. The car instantly responds to every command you give it through the steering wheel and pedals, and it gives the driver lots of feedback through the whole process. You feel the texture of the road and how firmly each wheel is planted as you sweep through a corner, but it's never too harsh to be uncomfortable. It's just firm enough to keep it out of the "you've gotta be crazy to drive this car every day" category.

Two engines are offered in the Mazda 6, both of which are a thrill to drive. A 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine offers lots of fun for the money, making 160 horsepower and sounding fantastic at high RPMs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the four-banger to people who like the way small Japanese cars drive - zippy and responsive.

For more low-end grunt, opt for the 215-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6. Like the four-cylinder version, it sounds fantastic and offers impressive acceleration.

Outside, the Mazda 6 isn't quite as aggressive as it is under the skin. It has a fairly subdued, feline stance that looks athletic but not outlandish, and the only hints to its performance aspirations are a big air intake on the front end and thick fender bulges that arch over the wheels.

Inside, it's more of the same, with a look that's fairly conservative for a car with such outstanding handling. You won't find crazy neon colors or other boy-racer gimmicks, but you will find easy-to-read gauges and intuitive controls that feel nice. Materials feel a tad plasticky compared to the Accord and Camry.

Pricing ranges from the basic Mazda 6i ($19,110) up the near-luzury Mazda 6s Grand Touring ($27,160), which drives like a low-end version of the BMW 5-series. The MazdaSpeed6 ($27,995) is a special high-performance version of the Mazda 6 with a turbocharged engine that makes nearly 275 horsepower.

Options for all models include a $500 in-dash, six-disc CD changer, a $200 cassette player and a $2,000 navigation system.

No matter which version you pick, it'll have the same soul - and nothing in common with a kitchen toaster.

Pros: It feels like a grown-up go kart. It handles beautifully, with very little body lean in corners, and it's a lot more fun than a typical four-door sedan.

Cons: Interior materials could use some improvement, and you'll find a softer, more comfortable ride in the Toyota Camry, if that's what you're looking for.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 8
• Performance: 9
• Price: 9
• Handling: 10
• Ride: 8
• Comfort: 9
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 9

More Data

Where Built: USA, Japan

Major Options: Convenience Package, Bose Audio and Moonroof Package, Chrome Appearance Package. 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, Front side airbags, Navigation system, Remote engine start, Satellite radio, Sunroof wind deflector, Cargo net, Alarm system upgrade, Roof rails, Rear step pad, Sport grille, Rear lip spoiler, Rear wing spoiler, Wheel locks.

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 186.8 - 187.8

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles Bumper to bumper, 5 years/unlimited miles Corrosion protection, 4 years / 50,000 miles Free roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3589 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: 4552 lbs.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 15.9

Destination Charge: $605