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2005 Mazda 6
Date Published: 4/30/08

2005 Mazda 6
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MSRP:
$18,995 - 26,995

Invoice:
$17,530 - 24,891

Class:
Midsize Car

CG Award: (What's This?)
2005 Mazda 6
Expert Rating Summary
Category i Base sdn, auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Midsize Car Average Rating
Acceleration 4 5.3
Fuel Economy 6 5.2
Ride Quality 6 6.1
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 6.1
Quietness 6 6
Controls 7 6.6
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 6 6.3
Room/Comfort (rear) 5 4.7
Cargo Room 4 4.5
Value within Class 8 5.7
Total Score: 58 56.5
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2005 MAZDA 6 BUYING RESOURCES
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2005 Mazda 6 Review
Standard ABS for all models and an available 6-speed automatic transmission are key 2005 changes for the Mazda 6. Four-door sedan, wagon, and hatchback body styles are offered in base, Sport, and Grand Touring equipment levels. The "i" designation denotes a 160-hp 4-cyl engine and is limited to sedans and hatchbacks. Uplevel "s" versions use a 220-hp V6 and come in all three body types. Both engines come with a 5-speed manual transmission. The i models are available with a 4-speed automatic. For '05, s versions exchange an available 5-speed automatic for a 6-speed, making this one of the few cars in its price range to offer that feature. Both automatics have a manual shift gate. Standard on all Mazda 6s are antilock 4-wheel disc brakes; the ABS feature had been optional on base-level versions. Traction control is also standard on all models for '05; it had been optional on i versions. Base; sedan has 16-inch wheels, all others have 17s. Front torso side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags for both seating rows are optional on the base i sedan and standard on other 6s. All models have a tilt/telescope steering wheel and split folding rear seatbacks. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard on Grand Touring models, optional on Sports. A sunroof is standard on Grand Touring versions, optional on other 6s.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our Recommended picks include the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback and Legacy.
News
A racy MazdaSpeed 6 sedan with all-wheel drive bows this summer as an early-2006 addition. As announced in late '04, it packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine with direct fuel injection and some 274 hp. A 6-speed manual transmission is mandatory. Also standard are a limited-slip differential, uprated suspension, 18-inch wheels, antilock brakes and antiskid/traction control. To match its performance persona, the MazdaSpeed gets its own front and rear fascias, plus special sport bucket seats and metal-look interior trim. Automatic climate control and 200-watt Bose CD stereo round out the package. Mazda hopes to sell 3000-5000 a year at a projected starting price of just under $30,000.

The basic Mazda 6 design is still fairly fresh, so sources expect no big near-term changes. But this versatile platform, already spawning various new models at parent Ford, will be the basis for a so-called "premium" Mazda sport wagon being rumored for 2007. Details are scant, but we hear this will be a tall-body design much larger than Mazda's Tribute SUV and powered by a new 3.5-liter Ford-sourced V6. A whispered $27,000 base price suggests Mazda is targeting sportier crossovers like the BMW X3 and Nissan Murano. No word on name yet, but don't be surprised if it's Mazda 7.
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