Mazda 6

Sporty yet sparing with fuel, the Mazda6's 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivered 32 mpg overall in our tests, the best fuel economy among conventional midsized sedans. The six-speed automatic is very smooth and delivers quick shifts. We found the 6 to be responsive and capable in the corners. The ride is taut and steady but on the firm side, and the cabin is rather loud for the class, despite some recent tweaks Mazda has made to address this. The car received a recent mild freshening that includes a new dash and a center display screen that is operated via a central knob on the console, which takes practice to master. A head-up display is optional.

This edition of the Mazda6 arrived as a 2014 model on a new platform. We got an excellent 32 mpg overall from the smooth four-cylinder and six-speed automatic. 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. Reliability and satisfaction have both been above average.

An improved version of the Mazda6 debuted for 2009, proving to be among the sportiest of family sedans. In addition to being fun to drive, it is roomy, quiet, and quick. 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.

The Mazda6 debuted in 2003 with a firm, yet compliant ride. The car also boasts excellent handling, as well as a spacious and comfortable interior. The trunk is sized nicely and the split rear seatbacks are spring-loaded, so they fold down with the pull of a lever. Nicely detailed, the interior is also readily accessible. However, the four-cylinder engine doesn't feel refined and while the V6 is quick, it's also thirsty. Tight maneuvering is somewhat hampered by a 41-foot turning circle. Wagon and hatchback versions became available in 2004. The car scored Poor in the IIHS side-crash test without the optional side airbags, but these became standard equipment for 2007.