1993-1997 Mazda 626: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Mazda 626
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1997 Mazda 626 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration (V6)
- Fuel economy
- Steering/handling
Cons
- Automatic-transmission performance
- Road noise
Vehicle Highlights
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.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | 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 Score: | 49 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1997 Mazda 626. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1997 Mazda 626.
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.
Our road test for the 1993-1997 Mazda 626 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1997 Mazda 626 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1997 Mazda 626 is right for you.
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.
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | 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 Score: | 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.
Our reliability study for this generation Mazda 626 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Mazda 626 .
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 |
Our price chart for this generation Mazda 626 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| 626 DX, LX | $1,600-2,300 | $1,100-1,500 | $200-300 |
| 626 ES | $2,300-2,900 | $1,700-2,100 | $400-600 |
| 1996 | |||
| 626 DX, LX | $1,400-1,900 | $900-1,200 | $200 |
| 626 ES | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 1995 | |||
| 626 DX, LX | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 626 ES | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
| 1994 | |||
| 626 DX, LX | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| 626 ES | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| 1993 | |||
| 626 DX, LX | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 626 ES | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Mazda 626 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
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 | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
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. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Mazda 626 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1993-1997 Mazda 626 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
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.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
