Not that there is anything wrong with that: The midsize sedan continues to be a stylish and sporty-looking alternative to its generically designed rivals. Mazda3 also comes with a new design for the optional 18-inch alloys as well as two fresh paints: Eternal Blue Mica in place of the Blue Reflex Mica and the high-quality, premium Machine Gray Metallic has come down from the CX-9 crossover.
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Kicking things off with the Mazda6 sedan, Mazda says it prioritized improving the interior, including the introduction of a range-topping package with Nappa leather seats. It also gets an electronic parking brake as standard equipment. Both models also have the Active Driving Display head-up display, which is now colored.
Long regarded as one of the best-handling, most-engaging vehicles in its segment, Mazda6 again raises the bar with Mazda’s first application of the all-new G-Vectoring Control (GVC) in North America.
“Using improved door seals, tighter tolerance between panels and sound insulation materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner and doors, the aim for Mazda6 was to outclass common midsize-segment cars with its attractive design and establish a unique “Mazda Premium” positioning”, says Mazda. The driver information display is now in color. The Grand Touring trim gets laminated acoustic glass in the front doors. Entry Mazda6 Sport models now come equipped with MAZDA CONNECT™ when equipped with a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission as well as the available SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic. These safety features complement Mazda3’s i-ACTIVSENSE suite, which also includes Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart City Brake Support, and Smart Brake Support for highway-speed accident avoidance. For 2017, a new Forward Sensing Camera has been combined with the milliwave radar-based system, adding pedestrian detection to the front collision avoidance system with automatic emergency braking.
Asked to choose between the 2.2L SkyActiv-D diesel powertrain or the 2.5L SkyActiv-G turbo-four mill, the easiest bet would be the oil burner for sure.
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The 2017 Mazda6 is available in Canada starting in mid August.
