2001 Mazda 626 Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
21 - 25 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(25 Total Reviews)
Granny tranny
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Needed rebuilt tranny at 65k. Needed another rebuild 20k later. Trunk leak created by factory defect - leaked water into spare tire well which would soak insulation and cause mildew. Starting to rust around rear tire well. 8k in maintenance and repair costs since I bought it used with 38k mi.
Favorite Features
Initial used car cost, but now I know why
Suggested Improvements
Better tranny, peppier 4 cyl, better mileage
Class problem with auto trans
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
We bought this car out of the Hertz fleet with 26K on the clock. It was reliable early on, needing only a plug wire set and fuel pump (both replaced under warranty). Now at 100K mi the transmission failed to the tune of $2000, even though I have had it flushed twice and have been running Amsoil synthetic ATF since about 50K mi. Perhaps it would have failed sooner if I hadn't been proactive about the service and premium ATF. It is a Ford CD4E trans and is infamous for failing in this car. Mazda is apparently not standing behind it; there are no recalls and of course now it is out of warranty. The engine has been reliable but due to the trans failure Mazda has lost a customer forever.
Favorite Features
Roomy and handles relatively well though I would not describe it as "fun to drive". The 4-cyl engine is noisy and lacks torque, but gets reasonable fuel economy. Nice looking body style still holds up.
Suggested Improvements
Why list any? They don't make the 626 any more. We just bought a Honda. Now that I have paid to have the Mazda trans repaired it will be my daily driver and I will run the sucker into the ground, then junk it.
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
Dependable transportation with good MPG
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is my 2nd 626. I sold my 1998 626 in 2002, and bought a truck. Sold the truck to get higher MPG going back and forth to work. Pros: MPG (29 highway, 24 all-around), dependable, reliable, no problems to date even with 80K miles (had 59K when I bought it). Cons: Ride quality decent, pick-up and transmission aren't the greatest (but to be expected with a 4 cylinder); AC isn't strong when idling (again, 4 cylinder issue). I'm very happy with this car. It's not fancy, gives a decent ride, has good gas mileage, is dependable, and I can take the family (including 15 and 8 year old) on 4 hours trips with no leg room complaints. It won't create envy of others, but gets you there.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
One reliable car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
First off this car will not beat too many vehicles on the road. It will get you where you want to go but speed is not what my car is about. I can't speak for the V6 models but my 4 banger is definitely missing the VROOM VROOM. But I haven't had 1 problem with the car yet so its reliability for me is outstanding and gets a 10 thus far. Car has no thrills and is nothing impressive. It just does the job its meant to do and does it well. I think it would be a good car to give to a high school kid or a family. But I wouldn't want to go hit the town in it.
Favorite Features
Gas mileage (26-31). Nice size trunk. Price.
Suggested Improvements
Cant change the radio! Pretty much a vanilla car. No thrills, no excitement.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Less than reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 2 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car might have been better as a 5 speed manual. I personally would never build a 4 cylinder car with an automatic transmission. It was underpowered and noisy from the beginning. At about 59,000 miles I needed a major tune up and now it has a broken boot and front drive axle and the car has only little more than 70,000. The handling in any weather conditions is sleepy at best. It may be a front drive car but it should be able to control its back end a bit better.
Favorite Features
Swing mode on the vents. Roomy backseat for a compact.
Suggested Improvements
No more automatics on 4 cylinders to start with. Better handling and smoother ride.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Good family/professional car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX-V6 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Other than the nice features below, the leather seats are really comfortable. It has a very smooth drive, but the V6 has plenty of pick up and go when I need it. I am 6 foot 2, and the Hondas and Toyotas I tried are not comfortable. The Mazda has a great roomy interior with a real professional feel, easy to get in and out.
Favorite Features
Leather seats, oscillating center fan, several storage locations.
Suggested Improvements
MP3 player.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Good Family Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I've been fortunate enough not to have the various problems listed by other owners on this site. Any car (even the allegedly bulletproof Camrys and Accords) can have issues. My 626 is reliable, handles well, and has been a good car for the money. I would seriously consider another Mazda product in the future. It has all of the features of the competition for less. Plus, you don't see one at every stop light (such as the aforementioned Camrys and Accords). I can't vouch for everyone that left the plant, but mine has been great.
Favorite Features
The styling, handling, and the unique design features (swing A/C fans).
Suggested Improvements
The newer 6 seems to have improved on the weaknesses of this design such as low horsepower for the class engines and more sedate design cues. The new 6 is more aggressive looking and more powerful.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Falling Apart
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX-V6 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Thank goodness for extended warranties! At 35000, but over the 3 years, the rack and pinion was replaced. At 38000 the transmission was replaced. Air conditioner has been making a noise for the past 18 months, but not broken so not repairable under the warranty. Struts are shot even though driving only on good paved roads. Planning on selling as soon as possible.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Build the car with components made to last more than the 36000 mile warranty.
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
Great Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
The vehicle has always been a great car for me. I have only had one warranty issue which was resolved easily with the dealership (broken knob for A/C). Anyway this car compares with the Honda Accord without the big price tag.
Favorite Features
Moonroof.
Suggested Improvements
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Not quite nice...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Ok, so this isn't the best investment I've ever made. I've had to take the dumb thing back to the shop every few weeks for some repair or another. The transmission is rough on the shifting and burns the fluid quite fast. The handling is poor and even though the shop said the suspension is good I seem to feel every bump I go over, not to mension the car drifts while being driven. I make sure to keep up on all preventive maintence but it doesn't seem to be enough.
Favorite Features
Internal antenna, roomy interior for a compact car, good sound.
Suggested Improvements
Comfy-er seats, tighter control, better suspension, different transmission, improved gas mileage, more power, less bland and boring.
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
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