Review | 2018 Mazda6 Turbo | Slow No More

It has been almost two years since we looked at the updated Mazda6, which had some issues. Now Mazda has updated the car again with hopes to push it past major players like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The question is: are there any problems that will scare off customers?

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Index:
00:00 - 1:05 Intro and Exterior
1:05 - 7:50 Interior Impressions
7:50 - 12:37 In the Shoppe - Suspension and Chassis
12:37 - 20:26 Driving and Track Impressions
20:26 Final Thoughts

[ocramidajzj]

Was waiting for this review and as usual you did not disappoint: thorough, practical, honest and as always your observations and analysis seems to hit all the points that I'm concerned about. This is the first review that openly admits that Mazda cannot win when it comes to trying to balance the "noise", "connected", "comfort" qualities while remaining true to their identity. I've test-driven the new 18 Sig about 10 times now and have been struggling over the new balance of luxury and sportiness. Like you I like a car that's connected and fun. I test drove EVERY sedan in this range and above, including Audi A6, BMW 535 and the new IMO over-hyped Stinger and I reached the same conclusion you reached i.e. why spend German money when Mazda has put this much into the 6. Also feel that while Honda built a competitive Accord, their styling direction and overall fit and finish don't come close to the 6. As far as the Camry is concerned, eh, I felt it was cheap and even more homely than the Accord.

Also nice to hear at least one reviewer support the 6 speed auto. Every freaking reviewer knocks it on not having more that 6 gears. WTF? Whatever happened to judging a product on the sum of it's parts?

Is the 6 perfect, no. Is it a race car- definitely not. But there is compromise in every product. And knowing the amount of R&D and human-centric design as well as Mazda's revised corporate structure since separating form Ford, I'm more comfortable giving them my money than other manufacturers. Also feel compelled to support the little guy. Honda and Toyota have such a strangle-hold on the majority of consumer through crap marketing, when they are arguably don't have a measurably better product or quality (anymore).

[Nathan]

Return of the king. Mazda's are so fun. I can't wait for a complete platform refresh coming 2-3 years down. Will probably update mine then. Good to see even without a complete design refresh, Mazda comes out on top of the Camry and Accord

[Khaynizzle]

This is the first video i've seen of your's. I can tell though you > Doug. Doug is more of an overview. Like how the car looks and whether or not it drives well. Thats about it. I love how you got underneath the car and explained basically every single update on the car and really went into the mechanical aspects a lot more. This is a legitimate review. Doug has never ever reviewed a car where at the end I thought that he sold it for me. If I were looking for a mid sized sedan this would end up being a serious competitor just because of this review.

[AlvinBrinson]

"It only has 6 gears" .. that's a GOOD thing IMHO.. .those stupid 9 speed automatics are always gear hunting and never happy.

[joesailor]

Just got my 2019 Mazda 6 in Deep Crystal Blue. I love this car!

[mohammedallkhowaiter]

Just got mine because of your review. It’s the most informed purchase I’ve ever made. Thank you

[peteyification]

I drove the Accord 2.0T and Mazda6 Sig back to back... I don't understand why people think the 6 is such a benchmark? The Accord was so much sportier... The 6 felt like any other sedan, although the interior was seriously impressive (coming from an Audi owner).

Full disclosure, though... The Accord was a manual, but I can't see how that would have helped with the handling.

[nebojsavojvodic]

The best car reviewer on the web, and it's not even close. I have a ton respect for the quality of your video production and overall car knowledge, aswel as humor. This is my dream car, there is nothing better in this price range and, as you said, there is no point of wasting 15-20k more on german midsize sedans. big shoutout from Serbia! Please review the Challenger scatpack :-)

[StoicaVladIoan]

I would totally take this instead of that shitbox Kia Stinger.

[failingtheturingtest]

I have driven an Audi A6 for a week and recently drove an A4 for a week while vacationing. A day after the A4, I bought a Mazda6 Signature. Other than the infotainment, it's just as good. We've really enjoyed the car so far.

[pleco]

I had a 2022 Mazda 6 as a rental car, with the base engine.
I was really impressed by the comfortable ride and dare I say - fun transmission (in 'Sport mode'). It's definitely an attractive car.
The only thing I found odd - was even though the ride was comfortable, the tire/road noise was really noticeable (in both the city and highway).

[hoppsticky]

First time viewer and felt compelled to comment. Great review and I enjoy the structure of the video and the level of detail provided. Definitely influenced my thinking of the car. Keep up the great work.

[stromghouls]

i have had mine since the 23 april 2018. a signature in soul red crystal and white interior. i already have 36 000km on the odometer. i have nokian hakka9 studded tires on mine on 17 steel wheels this winter. it is a very robust and capable car. if you like to do very long roadtrips. this is a very good car.

[gaspererjavec]

You want a honda, face it, you love those 90s cars. We all want to go back, i know

[GT-Diaries]

Great review, best video and sound production. Always waiting for your reviews. Great work.

[graham-jefferson]

The 6 to me has the most striking appearance in it's class with the least amount of adornment for lack of a better term. Clean in all the right ways. Thanks for going way in depth!

Any chance you'll get a Regal TourX? I'm curious about the German-built Buick.

[chudson]

The cinematics are clean!!! Great review

[spookygrey]

What camera equipment does your team use? The camera work is insanely good! Amazing review too!

[antonalekseyev]

What tyres are set up? Maybe some eco ones, so they cannot stick to the tarmac

[rapier]

Thanks for the review, most seem overwhelmingly positive and I'm glad actually to hear some of the less positive aspects.

A rear drive platform will be ideal but probably far from Mazda's mind as they focus on improving efficiency further. Audi has shown that they can do reasonably well with fwd cars, and I kind of hope that Mazda will become a Japanese Audi of sorts with they way they have worked on the interior space.