New 2018 Mazda 6 Review

It comes with:

• More insulation for a quieter cabin and a more comfortable driver
• G-Vectoring Control to improve steering responsiveness by placing more weight over the front wheels in bends (it does this by slightly cutting the torque right before the bend)
• New Nappa leather for classier ambiance inside
• Retuned chassis for a supple and better sorted out ride
• Fantastic SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with 310 lb-ft of torque and 250hp (we know about it from the latest Mazda CX-9)
• Far better NVH values than before (FYI - NVH means noise, vibration and harshness and new Mazda6 has less of it all)

Sure, all the additions mentioned here cannot be linked with all new Mazda 6 models (save for the G-Vectoring). Most expensive 2018 Mazda 6 Signature model is the flagship demonstrating just how far the new Mazda 6 can go in terms of refinement and additional equipment.

Integrating new tech is only part of the deal. Mazda needed to improve an already perfectly sound car in every other department for a “Premium” ride. It has to look better, drive better and faster, feel more luxurious, be stiffer, more elegant, and more precise. All in all, be better than what one can expect from a mainstream sedan.

New 2018 Mazda 6 should drive better

Structural chassis improvements were important. This enabled Mazda to rigid-mount steering rack to the chassis. All for more engagement and more precise steering. This should result in profoundly different driving experience. Especially considering that high-end Signature models with SkyActive-chassis received tightened up the suspension for a smoother ride and dynamically sound manner.

Yet, improving did not stop there, Mazda changed the body thickness around rear wheel wells, installed thicker suspension trailing link mounts and reinforced chassis bracings. These were the most important additions for NVH improvements.

In an effort to reinvigorate Mazda 6 spiritual values, designers of the cabin searched for inspiration in most unusual places. In their official Press Release, Mazda noted that the Brown Nappa leather inside has much the same color as the aged wood on ancient Japanese temples. Then, some of the parts of the inside were carefully adorned with a golden tint. A similar process has been used for ages for adorning Japanese kimonos. Then, there is even more Sen wood accents throughout the cabin. It all equals to a rather pleasant ambiance.

After the occupants have been bathed in fine wood, leather and have access to an advanced infotainment system, the driver can relax and focus on driving.

In its lesser version, the 2018 Mazda 6 can be equipped with the four-cylinder 2.5 liters naturally aspirated unit with 184 hp. This one can be had with a six-speed manual. Unfortunately, new motor - the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T is mandatory with the six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission.

A less powerful motor is considerably improved compared with the variant of before. Reduction in friction between moving parts affected the fuel economy slightly. However, this unit is the first one for Mazda in the US to use cylinder deactivation tech. Outer cylinders can cut off the combustion at steady speeds from 25 mph to 50 mph.

All in all, the new Mazda 6 facelift went deeper into the Premium world than ever before. Ironing the “style-wrinkles” with a new grille, wider front end and slightly redesigned lights certainly made it even kinder to the eyes. It is possibly the closest one can come to premium in an FWD family sedan.