1993-1997 Mazda 626 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Mazda 626. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Mazda 626.

1993-1997 Mazda 626 Review

Mazda's totally restyled, Michigan-built front-drive sedan was the first Japanese-named model to qualify as a domestic car when it debuted in May 1992. A driver-side airbag now was standard; antilock braking optional. Mazda's MX-6 coupe again was closely related to the 626 sedan and to Ford's 2-door hatchback Probe. Base engine for the DX and LX versions was a twin-cam 2.0-liter four, rated at 118 horsepower. The top-shelf 626 ES carried a new 2.5-liter V6, which produced 164 horsepower. Both engines might drive either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Year to Year Changes

1994 Mazda 626: For 1994, a passenger-side airbag was added, and a new mid-line V6 model debuted, called LX V6 and combining LX equipment with the 6-cylinder engine.

1995 Mazda 626: A few new features and minor revisions marked this season's 626, again offered in DX, LX, LX V6, and ES guise.

1996 Mazda 626: No great change was evident on '96 models, except for a more prominent grille surrounded by chrome. 626 now met 1997 side-impact standards. The horsepower rating of the V6 engine dipped to 160.

1997 Mazda 626: Mazda's top seller again saw no major revision. 626 would be all-new for '98.

1993-1997 Mazda 626 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6)	Automatic-transmission performance

Fuel economy	Road noise

Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

A V6 and 5-speed deliver willing, capable performance and spirited acceleration. Both engines are smooth, free-revving, and fairly quiet, but neither has enough low-speed torque for pleasant, vigorous running with automatic. Automatics also are slow to downshift for passing. Worse yet, they suffer jerky full-throttle downshifts, especially with 4-cylinder power. A 4-cylinder achieved nearly 24 mpg, and a manual-transmission V6 averaged 20.7 mpg. Ride quality is good, with the suspension filtering out most pavement imperfections. The sedan also handles better than you might expect. Body lean is moderate in turns, but the car feels secure and composed in spirited driving. "Panic" braking is swift and stable. Rear seating disappoints, and rear doors could be bigger. Head room is adequate for tall people, even with a power sunroof installed. Leg space is ample all around. Space also is adequate for rear passengers' feet under front seats. Split rear seatbacks fold down for additional cargo space. Wind noise is low on the highway, though the 4-cylinder gets a little loud at higher speeds. Outward visibility is good, and the driver faces clear, simple control panels.

Value for the Money
All told, the solidly built 626 sedan is a strong contender against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, though the latter are quieter and more luxurious.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Mazda 626 LX 2.5-liter 5-speed	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	6

Total:	49

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1993-1997 Mazda 626 Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: Poor A/C performance caused by defective relay will not let compressor cycle off on V6 models. (1993-95)

Door handles: The outer door handles may come loose and rattle. Replace the original retaining nuts with ones that won't come loose. (1993-95)

Engine knock: Cars with a V6 engine built before March 1993 may have engine knock, especially when cold, due to carbon buildup in the combustion chamber. (1993-94)

Engine mounts: Original motor mounts are prone to breakage. Mazda offers redesigned mounts as a replacement. (1993-94)

Engine noise: A metallic tapping noise from the rear of the engine could be due to slippage between the exhaust-camshaft driven gear and friction gear. (1993-95)

Engine stalling: If the engine stalls when the transmission is shifted into drive, the problem may be a cracked mass-airflow snorkel tube. (1993-94)

Power seats: The insulation on the wires for the power seat can wear through causing a short circuit disabling the power seat. (1993-94)

Speedometer: If speedometer fails and transmission does not shift out of 3rd gear, speedometer gear set needs to be replaced. (1994-97)

Transaxle leak: A damaged torque-converter hub seal allows fluid to leak from the automatic transmission. (1994-96)

Vehicle shake: Vibration in the steering wheel, shift lever, and floor is probably caused by mispositioned radiator dampers. (1993-95)

Wipers: The welds holding the wiper-arm support bracket break causing a creak or rattle when the wipers are running. (1993-95)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$360

Alternator	$245

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,075

Brakes	$245

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$625

Exhaust System	$495

Radiator	$410

Shocks and/or Struts	$670

Timing Chain or Belt	$160

NHTSA Recall History

1993-01: Certain SPX Filtran fuel filters may leak.

1994: Headlight wire that runs through turn-signal lever can fail where it is soldered to switch, causing loss of headlights.

1995: Some passenger-side airbags may not inflate properly; also, igniter cap can separate, causing hot gases to be released.

1995-97: Airbag could deploy as a result of minor undercarriage impact.

1997: Spring in timing-belt tensioner can break and get caught, resulting in possible engine stalling.

1993-1997 Mazda 626 Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1993
626 DX, LX	$1,200-1,500	$700-900	$100-200
626 ES	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200

1994
626 DX, LX	$1,300-1,700	$800-1,100	$200
626 ES	$1,600-2,000	$1,100-1,300	$200-300

1995
626 DX, LX	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200
626 ES	$1,900-2,400	$1,300-1,700	$300-400

1996
626 DX, LX	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300
626 ES	$2,200-2,700	$1,600-1,900	$400-500

1997
626 DX, LX	$1,700-2,300	$1,100-1,500	$300
626 ES	$2,500-3,200	$1,800-2,300	$500-700

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1993-1997 Mazda 626 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	102.8

Overall Length, in.	184.4

Overall Width, in.	68.9

Overall Height, in.	51.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	2804

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.5

Rear Head Room, in.	37.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Horsepower and torque ratings differed considerably between the 4-cylinder and V6 engines, both of which were of dual overhead-cam configuration. The V6 was installed only in the 626 ES and the LX V6 models. Any 626 sedan might have either 5-speed manual shift or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	2.0 / 122	114-118	124-127	5-speed manual: 26/34 4-speed automatic: 23/31	5-speed manual: 25.1 4-speed automatic: 23.8

dohc V6	2.5 / 153	160-164	156-160	5-speed manual: 21/26 4-speed automatic: 20/26	5-speed manual: 20.7 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1997 626

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1993-1997 Mazda 626 Review:

Mazda 626

Mazda 626 Road Test

Mazda 626 Reliability

Mazda 626 Prices

Mazda 626 Specs & Safety

Mazda 626 Photos

Mazda 626 Full Review