2003 Mazda6

When we think of the cars automotive manufacturers most revere, German finery like Mercedes or sexy Italian racing machines like Ferrari might come to mind. Don’t kid yourself.

While those cars may represent exceptional levels of luxury and engineering, what every auto manufacturer on this planet really aspires to is a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. These mild-mannered sedans are the Goliaths of the industry.

So imagine trying to get noticed in the same class with these perennial sales magnets. That has been the Mazda 626’s unfortunate lot for a few decades now. Through little fault of its own, the 626 has been rendered virtually invisible by these two best-sellers.

But the Mazda is not going to take it anymore.

For 2003, we find the former 626 totally reinvented as the ultra-sporty Mazda6, a mid-sized sedan determined to raise sales figures and an eyebrow or two.

The Good News
Forgive me if I’m a little defensive about the old 626. It’s the first car I ever picked out and purchased entirely on my own, and it was a wonderful, reliable car. I have always been a fan of Mazda sedans and couldn’t understand why they lagged so far behind Honda, Toyota and Nissan in sales.

Some say it was a lack of style and identity. Mazda sedans weren’t compelling enough to lure people away from the security of Accord and Camry. It needed to get noticed. I think it will.

Whereas Accord and Camry may continue to ratchet up performance ever so slightly, Mazda has given that baby a full, hard twist with this new Mazda6. With a new, fast profile, suspension designed for flat corners, a 3.0-liter V6 power and 17-inch wheels and tires, “sport” now tops its list of priorities. Underscored by a rear spoiler, aero ground effects and, in my case, a slather of screaming yellow paint, this 6 definitely does not look like the rest of the class.

In fact, it makes the competition look very stuffy indeed, and that’s good news for Mazda. If you can’t join ‘em, invent your own game.

I tested the 6s, the sportier of the two models offered. The base 6i comes with a 160-horse 2.3-liter inline 4 cylinder and a lower pricetag.

But to best understand this new 6’s personality, it is appropriate to experience the 220 horse/192 lb ft of torque provided by the V-6 model. Only then can you truly appreciate all Mazda has poured into making this a really fun car to drive.

From its sport-tuned suspension to its nicely weighted steering, competent five-speed and V-6 with continuously variable valve timing, the 6s beckons the driver where Accord and Camry seek to soothe. It’s fast but settled, quick but not impulsive. Even after driving much more expensive sport sedans during the same time period, I continued to be impressed with this car’s composure and response for its reasonable price. This is a sport sedan first, mid-sized but not middle-of-the-road.

That doesn’t make it irresponsible, however. To the contrary, this new 6s also raises safety levels with front-seatbelt pretensioners standard and side and curtain airbags optional. There are improved interior comforts and conveniences, more room for backseat passengers and 15.2 cubic feet for cargo. The new Accord holds only 14.

The Bad News
Not to diminish the Mazda6’s enthusiasm for sport, but it should be noted that the V-6 Accord has 20 more horses and Nissan Altima’s V-6, 25. They both have more torque, too. What they don’t have is the 6s spirit.

And although I like the pulse-raising path Mazda has chosen to distinguish its sedan from the pack, I’m a little nervous about the packaging. For one thing, looking at the Mazda6 from several angles I get flashes of Acura styling. Such resemblances tend to water down a stab at true distinction.

More than that, however, I wonder how many mid-sized sedan shoppers are ready for the full spoiler-and-ground-effects approach to daily transportation. It impresses me as a bit much.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 20 mpg city/27 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $21,100;
Price as tested, $25,345

Is it worth it?
This is the easy part. Regardless of how you feel about spoilers and the Mazda6s’s other trappings, its price gets a big thumbs up considering the V6/overall fun factor, its generous list of extras and its uncompromised ability to do regular mid-sized sedan duty. And it offers you a chance to really stand out in the ever-increasing crowd of Accords and Camrys.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville's daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.