Overview

What Changed for 2008:

• Tire-pressure monitor standard


• Touring models get a standard Bose audio system


• Standard 18-inch alloy wheels on i Sport models


• Sport VE and Touring models add a standard alarm system


• Wagon body style dropped


• MazdaSpeed6 sedan dropped

Overview
The Mazda6 is a midsize, front-wheel-drive car that was launched in 2003 and extensively updated for the 2007 model year. Known for its sporty driving dynamics, the Mazda6 platform also underpins the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ. The 2008 Mazda6 is available as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback. The 5-door sports wagon has been dropped for 2008, and so has the high-performance MazdaSpeed6, which was offered only as a sedan. The Mazda6 seats 5, and comes with a 4-cylinder or a V-6 engine. The hatchback provides 58.7 cubic feet of cargo area with the second-row seats folded down. The sedan's trunk has 15.2 cubic feet of cargo room.

Model Lineup
The 2008 Mazda6 is offered in "i" and "s" models, equipped respectively with 4-cylinder and V-6 engines. The i models offer Sport, Sport Value Edition (VE), Touring and Grand Touring trim levels, while s models offer all but the Sport trim level. Standard equipment for i Sports includes cloth upholstery; air conditioning; interior air filter; tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls; cruise control; driver's seat height adjustment; 60/40 split folding rear seat; power windows, mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry; AM/FM/CD stereo with 6 speakers; theft-deterrent system; and P215/50R17 tires on alloy wheels. The i and s Sport Value Edition models add a leather-wrapped steering wheel; 8-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment; and a 6-disc CD changer. The hatchback also gets a rear spoiler. The i and s Touring trim levels have leather upholstery; heated front seats; heated mirrors; and a 200-watt Bose sound system with 7 speakers. Both Grand Touring trim levels add automatic climate control; sunroof; auto-dimming rearview mirror; universal garage door opener; rear spoiler; fog lights; and Xenon headlights. The s Grand Touring trim level also has P215/45WR18 tires. Options include much of the higher-line equipment for lower-line models, plus remote engine starting, Sirius satellite radio, cassette player, rear cargo organizer, and a voice-activated DVD navigation system.

Powertrain
The base engine in the 2008 Mazda6 is a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder unit that makes 156 hp at 6500 rpm and 154 lb.-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. It is used in all i models, and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate. All s models have a 3.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 212 hp at 6000 rpm and 197 lb.-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm. It offers a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, also with a manual shift gate. The Mazda6 is EPA-rated at 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the 4-cylinder engine and the manual transmission. With the 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, it is rated at 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway. With the V-6 engine, it gets 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway with the automatic transmission and 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway with the manual transmission.

Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2008 Mazda6 includes dual front airbags; torso-protecting front side air bags; head-protecting curtain side air bags; tire-pressure monitor; anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and traction control. Electronic stability control is not available. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), both body styles of the Mazda6 received 5-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in frontal impacts, 4-star ratings for front- and rear-seat occupants in side impacts, and a 4-star rating for rollover resistance. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the Mazda6 received a "Good" rating for frontal offset crashes and a "Marginal" rating for rear crash protection.

Technology
ABS pulses the brakes to help decrease stopping distances, minimize the chance of skids, and allow drivers to steer when braking hard. EBD automatically balances front-to-rear braking forces to optimize stopping power and braking stability. Traction control detects wheel slip and uses the ABS system to limit it, Mazda explains.