Mazda has released an approximate price of its fully
redesigned 2014 Mazda6. According to Mazda’s website, the midsize sedan will
start at about $21,000 plus a $795 destination charge. At this price, the
Mazda6 is about $700 to $1,400 more affordable than several of its key rivals, including
the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan
Altima. All but the Camry are fully redesigned for 2013, with the Camry last
getting redone for the 2012 model year.
The 2014 Mazda6 is powered by a new 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder
engine that produces 184 horsepower. Power is routed to the front wheels
through either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. In scrapping its
V6 engine option, Mazda is following in the footsteps of Ford, Chevrolet and
Hyundai, who no longer offer a V6 in their midsize sedans. However, a 2.2-liter
four-cylinder Skyactiv-D diesel engine will be available in the Mazda6. While
Mazda hasn’t given any output specs for the diesel engine, Motor Trend says
that the European version of this engine produce 173 horsepower and 310
pound-feet of torque. The only other affordable midsize sedan available with a
diesel engine is the Volkswagen Passat.
Many rivals offer a hybrid model, and although Mazda has
no plans to offer a hybrid Mazda6, the automaker says that it will offer a
regenerative braking system to capture braking energy. The EPA has yet to
conduct any fuel economy tests on the 2014 Mazda6.
The 2014 Mazda6 is available with a low-speed
collision-avoidance system, which uses sensors and lasers to detect and predict
front-end collisions, and if the driver does not hit the brakes, the system
will slow the car automatically. USB and auxiliary inputs are standard, and a
backup camera, Bluetooth, voice-command text messaging, HD Radio and Pandora
Internet radio are standard on all trims except base models equipped with a
manual transmission. On many of the Mazda6’s rivals, the voice command
capability and Internet-based radios are available, but not standard.
The 2014 Mazda6 will go on sale in January, and Mazda
says the diesel variant will go on sale in the second half of the year.
In the market for an affordable midsize car? Check out
the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars. Then, look for a great deal on
a new car by checking out this month’s best car deals. You can also find the
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