The mid-size sedan can be considered the bread-and-butter vehicle of the automotive industry. It’s not too big, not too small, but just right. With seating for five passengers, it’s more practical than a sports car but not overly bulky when compared to large SUVs. Pricing is well within the value-minded reach of the majority of the car-buying public and fuel economy will not raise the ire of Mother Nature. The vehicle is nearly perfect but for one catch: it is automotive vanilla.
Fuel efficient? Check. Competitively priced? Check. Dynamic handling? Check. Style? Check. Fun? Uh huh. Real? Absolutely.
Other than the full suite of SKYACTIV® technologies,Mazda6 featured even more all-new groundbreaking Mazda-engineered technology. i-ELOOP, the world’s first capacitor-based brake energy regeneration system to power all the vehicle’s electrical systems, makes its global debut, along with the SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine and the front collision-detecting Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system.
Developed solely by Mazda, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is the umbrella term for a host of performance-oriented, fuel-saving engine, transmission, body and chassis components. Introduced in the 2012 Mazda3 compact car, and fully-incorporated into the 2013 CX-5 compact SUV, the redesigned 2014 Mazda6 is the next vehicle in the brand’s lineup to feature the great-in-theory technology that indeed offers real-world results.
With the KODO “Soul of Motion” design language, first expressed on the SHINARI Concept, the 2014 Mazda6 matches nearly every sinuous sheet metal curve of its conceptual twin the TAKERI Concept. From its elongated cab-rearward stance, muscular fenders and sweeping character lines, saying the vehicle’s profile is handsome seems like an understatement.
For the 2014 model year, Mazda6 features all-new infotainment and connectivity options. A 5.8-inch in-dash touch screen commands the center console stack and features intuitive phone, audio and navigation functions (when equipped). Streamlined steering wheel controls also enable a more straightforward operation of the infotainment system.
Other available features include Bluetooth® phone and audio connectivity as well as iPod® audio playback in which iPod information can be accessed via the touch screen. USB and auxiliary jack connection ports are standard and located within the center console storage bin. An AM/FM/CD/MP3/-compatible head unit paired with a six-speaker sound system is standard for Sport and Touring models while Grand Touring models feature an 11-speaker Bose® Centerpoint® Surround Sound System with AudioPilot® as standard equipment.
When a smartphone is connected, Short Message Service (SMS) messages can be received and shown on the touch screen monitor. The system can then articulate the messages as well as allow users to send replies using fixed phrases. A new speech recognition system also allows users to repeat and shuffle audio tracks as well as search and select folders.
The best mid-sedan car.. MAZDA 6!
