2021 Mazda 6 Review

Name: 2021 Mazda 6 Review
Brand: Mazda
Price: 17424 USD

2021 Mazda 6 Carbon Edition Sedan Exterior

2021 Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve Sedan Exterior Shown

+255

The Mazda 6 pulls off near-luxury quality thanks to its impressive ride comfort and smart attention to detail. But its greatest trick is that it's simply a joy to drive. Sedans aren't typically dripping with charisma. This one has plenty to spare.

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Mazda 6 model years

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2021 Mazda 6 Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Stylish interior and exterior design
Comfortable and supportive front seats
Entertaining handling
Strong acceleration from available turbocharged engine

Cons

Doesn't ride as comfortably as other sedans
All-wheel drive isn't available

What's new

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard
Carbon Edition appearance package debuts
Part of the third Mazda 6 generation introduced in 2014

Overview

Among other midsize sedans, the 2021 Mazda 6 has style to spare and continues to highlight driving enjoyment and interior quality. Take a top-level Signature trim, for example, and it'd be pretty easy to pass off as an entry-level luxury sedan from the likes of Acura or Lexus. The rush of power from the 6's available turbocharged engine is pretty addictive too.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda 6 Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$146/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

But this generation of Mazda 6 is entering its seventh year or production. Many rivals, such as the Kia K5, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, have considerably fresher designs. And if your priority is getting a comfortable and relaxed ride, you might want to look elsewhere. But overall that's a minor trade-off to get what is otherwise a sleek and appealing sedan. Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to get our full in-depth evaluation on this year's Mazda 6.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the 6 drive? The Mazda 6 is one of the best-handling midsize sedans you can buy. We came away thoroughly impressed with the way it turns into corners and stays composed over bumps in the road. It also has excellent steering, offering a hefty weight at low speeds that blends into accurate feedback as you push the car. This is the best it gets.

The optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also strong and makes plenty of power off the line. The thrust peters out as you get up to highway speeds (or beyond), but this isn't much of an issue for a family sedan. The transmission, even though it's behind the times with only six gears, shifts quickly and smoothly.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the 6? The front seats are firm and contoured enough to prevent you from moving around during hard driving, yet they're comfortable on long-range cruises. Our test car also came with much-appreciated touches such as leather trim and ventilation. The standard dual-zone climate control takes some time to cool the cabin, but it's quiet and simple to operate.

Here's the downside: The Mazda 6 does not have a plush ride. Its sport-tuned suspension prioritizes driving thrills over comfort. The 6 is a bit stiff compared to competitors, but it's not punishing. Otherwise, the cabin is calm and well insulated, save for a little wind and road noise on the highway.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? Getting in and out is easy thanks to wide-opening doors. Tall-torsoed rear passengers may have to duck their heads due to the 6's sloping rear roofline, but otherwise getting into the back isn't a problem. There's plenty of legroom and headroom up front. Rear passengers will notice less legroom than the Accord or the Camry offers, but average-size folks should find the space comfortable.

Most functions have multiple access paths, but the central control knob is used for everything. It's easy to operate and allows you to keep your eyes on the road. The steering wheel controls are numerous and kind of fiddly, and we wish the touchscreen didn't have a lockout feature while in motion.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Adaptive cruise control works well and is able to bring the Mazda 6 down to a stop when necessary. The statuses for the adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and front crash mitigation are visible through the optional head-up display, giving the driver additional situational awareness.

Mazda's available navigation system works well in conjunction with voice control and the control knob, but some functions are nonintuitive, such as menu-based zooming when in map mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? Most buyers won't take issue with the 14.7-cubic-foot trunk, though it's not tops in cargo capacity in the class. You can fold the 60/40-split rear seats, but the only releases are in the trunk. Interior storage space for small items is sufficient.

If you've got small kids to haul around, Mazda provides four recessed lower car seat anchors and three upper tether points. The lower anchors are located under plastic covers and could get lost easily. They're also a bit of a tight fit.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? We tested the 6 with its optional turbocharged engine. When the 6 is so equipped, the EPA says to expect 26 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is an average figure for a midsize sedan with an upgraded engine. We easily matched that on our mixed-driving 115-mile evaluation route, getting 27.8 mpg with our test car.

Value

8.0/10

Is the 6 a good value? Mazda has achieved its goal of creating a borderline-luxury sedan at an affordable price. The Mazda 6 has excellent fit and finish, especially in the leading Signature trim. It has a refined design, taut execution and a composed ride — a combination rarely found at this price. As a bonus, it's one of the most fun models in its class to drive.

Wildcard

9.0/10

Mazda 6 has taken a midsize sedan and injected it with style and personality. In one of the auto industry's most competitive classes, the Mazda 6 offers charisma and finesse that instantly stand out.

Which 6 does Edmunds recommend?

It's one of the more pricier versions of the Mazda 6, but we think the Grand Touring Reserve is the way to go. Not only do you get the more powerful turbocharged engine, but the Reserve adds leather seating surfaces, adaptive headlights, a head-up display, and ventilated front and heated rear seats.

2021 Mazda 6 models

The 2021 Mazda 6 comes in six trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Carbon Edition (new for 2021) and Signature. All are front-wheel-drive. Highlighted standard features include:

Sport
Gets things going with:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque)
Six-speed automatic transmission
17-inch wheels
LED headlights
Rain-sensing wipers
Dual-zone climate control
Push-button start
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
8-inch infotainment touchscreen
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
Six-speaker sound system

Every Mazda 6 also comes with these driver aids:

Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Mazda 6 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mazda and the car in front)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)

Touring
Adds some nice-to-have features, such as:

19-inch wheels
Sunroof
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Simulated leather upholstery
Proximity key entry
Rear air-conditioning vents and two USB ports for rear passengers

Grand Touring
Ups the Mazda 6's performance and luxury with:

Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with 93 octane)
Driver's side dimming and heated outside mirrors
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
11-speaker Bose audio system
Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay
Satellite radio

Grand Touring Reserve
Dresses up the Mazda 6 with:

Unique 19-inch wheels
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Chrome exterior trim
Trunk-mounted spoiler
Windshield wiper de-icer
Driver-seat memory settings
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Heated steering wheel
Leather upholstery
Heated outboard rear seats
Ventilated front seats

Carbon Edition
Similar to the Grand Touring Reserve but has:

Special gray paint
Black-painted wheels and exterior trim
Red leather seating surfaces
Contrasting interior stitching

Signature
Tops the range with extra luxury and safety features, such as:

Dark gray exterior trim
Ambient interior lighting
Upgraded leather upholstery
Wood and faux suede interior trim
Navigation system
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Mazda 6 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#16 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda 6 from 2008-2022.}

$430/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.11x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.1%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Mazda 6.

5 (62%)

4 (9%)

3 (11%)

2 (13%)

1 (5%)

4.1

42 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 42 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

What a difference 4 model years make

Mike G. , 01/02/2020

2020 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I previously owned a white 2016 Mazda 6 Touring. Due to an driver's fail to yield, my car was totalled back in late November. I checked out a blue 2020 Mazda 6. Everything I liked about the 2016 was there, with more, including improvements. I bought the Grand Touring model. The turbo is a great improvement over the base engine. It's not a rocket by any means, but still lots of low end …

Ya can't beat a Mazda for value

nevada mike, 05/20/2020

2020 Mazda 6 Grand Touring Reserve 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Very simply, if my Mazda 6 Reserve went away I'd buy another in an instant without shopping any other car. Traded in a 2014 Mazda 6 for the newer 6 because I wanted the turbo, and paid extra for the stunning Soul Red paint. My 3rd Mazda is a testament to Mazda's superb engineering and design. It's beautiful but that does not matter unless the car has 5 star crash rating and is a kick to …

A Piece of Art

Eddy, 01/15/2020

2020 Mazda 6 Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

I got the Mazda 6 sport 2020 and I couldn't be happier. It combines comfort, fun and luxury in an unprecedented way. I'm also happy to see the leaps Mazda made in terms of reliability. I'm actually glad they're using a traditional 6 speed transmission. It means fewer bugs and a better projected reliability. It's known and been around for a while - why mess with it? Love this car.

Much more than I thought.

Jerry, 07/30/2020

2020 Mazda 6 Signature 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Having owned BMWs and Audi's since 1993 I was reluctant to the reviews I read about the Mazda 6. So I searched it vigorously looking for negative reviews, but I couldn't find much negative. So I decided to pursue leasing one. I found what I liked, Signature series blue with parchment interior. I searched dealerships and found only one within 500 miles. So, I contacted my local …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Mazda 6, so we've included reviews for other years of the 6 since its last redesign.

See all 42 reviews of the Mazda 6

Write a vehicle review

2021 6 Highlights

Trim:

Sport

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,475
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$146/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the 6 models:

Adaptive Front-Lighting System: Turns the low beams in conjunction with your steering inputs to help you see through turns at night.
Smart Brake Support: Warns you if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes automatically to mitigate the effects of a collision.
Traffic Sign Recognition System: Reads and relays traffic sign information to the driver on a head-up display so you're always aware.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Mazda 6 Review

2021 Mazda 6 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda 6 Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which 6 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Mazda 6 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

What a difference 4 model years make

Ya can't beat a Mazda for value

A Piece of Art

Much more than I thought.

2021 6 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda 6 Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}