2008 Mazda 6

Mazda have always had a reputation for building the most fun cars in their class. And the 2008 Mazda 6 is no exception. The car is a mid-sized sedan that handles like a sports car. Well that isn't really true but the handling is much more sporty than other cars in its class. The Mazda 6 is perfect for anybody who needs to take the kids to soccer practice but still wants to have a sporty car. Given that it comes in at the low end of the price range the features that the car offers are obviously going to be somewhat limited. That being said you won't find a more fun car for the same price.

The thing that makes the Mazda 6 so much fun to drive is the steering; it is a lot firmer than in other cars in its class. Combine this with a suspension that is aimed more at performance than comfort and you have a car that can really get around the curves. The Mazda 6 isn't all that fast but it does give the feeling of being faster than it actually is. When you look at the numbers it is in reality seriously out performed by its competitors in terms of speed and acceleration. Nevertheless you do get the sense that you are driving a sportier car when you drive the Mazda 6.

The real weak point of the Mazda 6 is the engine. It is simply not as big or as powerful as the engine offered in its competitors. You have a choice of four or six cylinder option but neither is particularly powerful. Even worse the fuel efficiency is not very good either. Selling a car with an engine that produces less power but burns more fuel than your competitors is always going to be a challenge. This is an area that Mazda is going to have to address in the future.

The interior of the Mazda six is attractive with a contemporary design. That being said they do use materials that are of a lower quality than their competitors. The front seats are fairly roomy but the back seats are really only suitable for children since they are rather cramped. However the cargo hold is the biggest in its class so there is lots of room to carry stuff. Of course all the expected safety features are there including traction control. However stability control is not available, even as an option.

The Mazda 6 has built a reputation by having a bit of personality in a class of cars that is a bit dull normally. It is fun to drive and that is really what appeals to most people. In reality the quality is probably a step below some of the other cars in its class. However the car has built a solid following that looks likely to continue in the future.