The Mazda 6 benefits from a kind of muscular conservatism inside and out. Everything in, on and under this car makes sense, and it all looks good doing it. The relationship of the lower body to the upper body looks perfect, yet the roof shape is designed for people, not for style. Its sporty profile makes the Mazda 6 look smaller than it is.
2006 brings some styling revisions to the Mazda 6 line. New headlamps, revised tail lamps, new front and rear bumper fascia, and new side sills add more edge to the styling. Fog lamps are incorporated into the front spoiler. A new sport grille, dark gray headlamp bezels, and a rear spoiler add distinction for top-line models. Also, 18-inch wheels have been added to the options list. Bright Island Blue and Tungsten Gray have been added to the color palette for 2006, and we really liked the new Dark Cherry, which will be mistaken for black in some lighting conditions.
The shape of the Mazda 6 is truly fetching when painted a hot color and accented by Sport-level trim, which includes a body-color front grille, gray headlight bezels, clear-lens halogen fog lamps, dual oval exhaust outlets, front and rear air dams, and side sill extensions. These bits are also available on base and Grand Touring models. The outside door handles are well designed and easy to grab.
The 5-Door hatchback features an extended rear roof pillar sloping rearward into a raised deck lid. As Mazda says, it looks fast even when standing still. Casual observers may not notice the difference between the 5-Door and the sedan.
The Sport Wagon looks sleek, clean and aggressive, if not as overtly sporty as the hatchback.
The new MazdaSpeed6 is distinguished by its slightly lowered stance and by its exclusive front fenders, hood, and grille, among other body panels. An aerodynamic front bumper and lower grille section hint at high performance, while flared side skirts draw attention to 18-inch aluminum wheels. A rear bumper with built-in diffuser for the integrated exhaust pipe combines with a compact, functional rear lip spoiler to finish off the exterior package.
Of the three body styles, the sedan offers the stiffest structure. The wagon has a stiffer chassis than the 5-Door due to the large rear opening of the hatchback. The Mazdaspeed6 offers the stiffest body structure, 50 percent stiffer than the standard sedan due to extensive reinforcements. A stiff chassis is a key element to achieving sharp handling and a smooth ride.
