2021 Mazda 6 Review

Name: 2021 Mazda 6
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $17,990 - $24,998

2021 Mazda 6 Carbon Edition Sedan Exterior

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 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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Price & Payment

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Average price: $20,885

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Appraise My 2021 Mazda 6

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

Written by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

2/25/2021

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

22 listings

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2021 Mazda 6
Touring Sedan
$16,995
good price
$1,269 below market
- 77,693 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, rental vehicle
- 26 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- InTouch Auto Outlet (55 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
*** NAVIGATION SYSTEM, POWER SUNROOF *** ABS Brakes Air Conditioning Alloy Wheels AM/FM Stereo Android Auto Apple CarPlay Automated Cruise Control Aut...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (26 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JM1GL1VM5M1604442
Stock: A5957
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Price Drop
2021 Mazda 6
Grand Touring Reserve Sedan
$23,906
- 30,462 miles
- Frame damage reported, 2 owners, personal use only
- 23 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- BMW of Catonsville (42 mi away)
- Five Star Dealer
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Baltimore, MD
Recent Arrival! Mazda Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve *Your additional costs are sales tax, tag and title fees for the state in which the vehicle will be...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (23 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JM1GL1WY3M1616381
Stock: 4P2774A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-14-2026

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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

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.1

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Mazda 6 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

9/10

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.

2021 Mazda 6 trim level differences

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: Compare the 2021 Mazda 6 trim levels in-depth.

Which 6 trim 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.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$169/mo

$221/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

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Reliability

The 2021 Mazda 6 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #16 out of 28 among Midsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above 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

$430/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

1.11x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

9.1%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 Mazda 6

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Mazda 6 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

45 reviews

5(64%)

4(8%)

3(13%)

2(10%)

1(5%)

See all 45 reviews of the Mazda 6

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 6 Features & Specs

Trim:

Sport

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$24,475
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$169/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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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

2021 Mazda 6 Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Mazda 6 trim level differences

Which 6 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Mazda 6 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 6 Features & Specs

Safety