Mazda 6

Acceleration doesn't suffer for fuel economy, with the Mazda6 returning slightly above average performance. The car is also agile and capable in corners, with a taut but firm ride. However, the cabin is loud, particularly on the highway; updates for 2016 helped some. The well-finished cabin has supportive seats, although the rear seats are relatively tight for this class. The infotainment system uses a console-mounted knob; figuring out how to use the system takes some time. Among the optional active safety features are blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Mazda6 underwent a major refresh with the 2018 model, improving ride comfort and noise isolation. An uplevel turbo engine for top versions is new.

It also has a high-quality interior -- though road noise is a bit pronounced and we noted a few misaligned trim pieces. Similarly, while the rear seat is roomier than the one in the previous version of the car, the Mazda's stylishly low roofline inhibits access compared to its forebear.