So the first surprise was that I was getting a Mazda6, but the next surprise was that I was not getting a base spec sport model, but rather the middle trim Touring model with the large 19-inch wheels and a few upgraded features. The Mazda6 is a gorgeous looking car with taut, athletic haunches and a muscular shoulders. It looks like an athlete in a tailored suit and is easily the most attractive car in its class. Every crease looks purposeful and every curve looks sculpted. The only thing that looks out of place on this car is the tiny exhaust pipes poking out of the rear fascia. For a car where every other aspect of it looks designed, the absolute lack of design around the exhaust is actually a touch baffling. But then again, maybe it is a good thing since the performance would never be able to live up to the expectations of the design.

A tap of the high mounted start button and the Mazda's Skyactiv four-cylinder grumbles to life. This direct injected and high compression four-pot is the only engine option available on this car and, this being a rental, is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. Upon ignition, I wish Mazda would put a little more effort into their exhaust and engine sounds. The motor is quiet at idle, but under load, the induction noise is borderline awful and there is barely any exhaust sound. Revving the car up just produces a lot of tinny sounding sucking noise and a bit of buzzing from the exhaust. I've heard elementary school students on recorders that sounded more melodic. For a company that can make a tiny four-cylinder sound decent in the Miata, I expected better from Mazda.
At least dynamically, the Mazda6 redeems itself handily. There is a reason this car is the darling of automotive journalists. We'll start with the steering, which is surprisingly lively for a mid-size family sedan. In fact, I am willing to bet that the average family sedan buyer would find the steering a little too chatty, like that uncle at Thanksgiving who gets drunk and becomes highly inappropriate. But as a car guy, I absolutely love that I get feedback and can tell what the wheels are doing. Even our Honda Accord does not deliver this level of communication, although it is pretty good for the class. Paired with that excellent steering is a suspension that feels like it was tuned for a Miata instead of a family car. The car corners with aplomb and delivers an impressive amount of grip for a still front-heavy family car. Those big 19-inch wheels mean minimal tire deflection and the stiff springs and well tuned shocks means this rather large car corners quite spryly. Set up the correct line and dive enthusiastically into a turn while letting off the gas to bring the tail around and it pulls through like a champ.

Now, as I had just come from spending a couple of days with the Sonata, it is hard not to compare the infotainment experience between the two vehicles. Where the Hyundai had a touchscreen only system and updated software that allows for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, the Mazda's system is a bit older and does not support any of the newer smartphone driven tech, but is controlled by both a controller or as a touchscreen. While the lack of smartphone integration is a disappointment, the Mazda system is overall pretty easy to use. In only a matter of moments, I was able to figure out how to navigate around and make use of the basic controls without any instruction. On the one hand, all systems should be designed to be so easy to learn. On the other hand, Mazda should get with the times and update their system with smartphone integration.
After a full day of driving the Mazda around, I was impressed with how good it is. Even though this was a mid-level trim, it felt well loaded and nicely spec'ed out. Sure it is not fitted with the fancier systems and nicer interior accouterments, but the svelte design and the strong driving dynamics made it feel like it was a much nicer car than the price tag would have foretold. If Mazda can modernize the electronics a bit further and maybe figure out how to add the turbo-charged engine from the CX-9 to the Mazda6, it really has a shot at becoming a truly best in class car. Although even with those changes, getting people to buy them might take a whole lot more.
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