A Family Sedan Need Not be Soulless: The 2014 Mazda 6

Commenting on my being drawn to the Mazda 6, StarHalo writes:

"Soul" and "family sedan" are mostly exclusive of one another; modern affordable sedans are like Starbucks cups - they're the minimum needed to get the job done competently, that's all anyone expects so that's all anyone gets. But there are a few surprising coffee mugs out there, and the Mazda 6 is one of them..

Related articles

I Ran Away from the Mazda Dealership So I Wouldn't Buy the Reflex Blue Mazda 6

Tested! 2014 Mazda 6 Brings Andretti Family Values to the Mid-Size Sedan

White Is Usually Not My First Color Choice, But for Honda Accord Sport It Sure Is

2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring

Comments

[Angelo]

I agree. I like the Kia Optima too, which happens to look good in white Jeff! It's not surprising that the Mazda has soul. Beginning back in the 1970s, Mazda has been doing it far differently than the other Japanese automakers. First it was the rotary engine for a completely different----some would say "soulful" feel. And it's continued with driver inspired interior layouts, "better" handling characteristics----etc. "Zoom Zoom" indeed! I still love my aviation inspired Saab 9-5. It truly has a cockpit feel unlike any other car I've owned. Hopefully the new Saab, when it returns, will build equally inspired cars.

[herculodge]

Here in SoCal, the Kia Optima is everywhere, apparently an appealing car doing very well. I've never driven one, but one of my students, a car guy, told me the Optima doesn't feel stable at highway speeds. In any event, I feel the Mazda 6 more.

[Angelo]

The Optima is a great value. I hadn't heard about handling issues at higher speeds----wondering if that might be the hybrid version. In any event, the Optima and sister car Sonata are doing well because of the value for dollar and bolder styling. I also like the Ford Fusion.

[Paul]

Any opinions here on the Audi A4?

[Ulysses]

Kia are really popular in Europe and the UK. Solid and stylish cars. It's weird that not ten to fifteen years ago the company was a laughing-stock. If you owned a Kia back then it meant you were really struggling. Fast forward to today and people have a totally different attitude. A similar thing has happened with Hyundai.

[herculodge]

Audi makes great work of art cars, very appealing but because repairs are so high and they're full of electronic gremlins, if one really wants an Audi I recommend only leasing or owning with extended warranty.

[Gary]

Getting back to the small SUVs, Consumer Reports compared the new, higher-powered Mazda CX-5 to the redesigned Toyota RAV4. They gave a very slight edge to the Mazda. Both of these are near the top of CR's heap in this class of vehicle. Soon they will review the redesigned Subaru Forester.