This forgotten Japanese car still looks good

Remember the time when mid-size sedans were popular worldwide? Today we only have five models, all from Asian brands. A long, low passenger car, if styled properly, results in a vehicle with beautiful proportions.

Today we’re going to explore a long-forgotten Japanese car – a mid-size sedan, in this case, that I think still looks as good in 2025. Granted, by the time production stopped it was already almost ten years old, so a replacement was more than necessary. But thanks to tasteful updates over the years, I’d say this midsize sedan has aged extremely well.

I hope you remember the Mazda6

The latest generation of the Mazda6, which ran from 2014 to 2021 in North America, is a midsize sedan that has been widely praised for its style. In fact, from the moment it was released in station wagon form for Europe and Asia, it became my dream car. Time for a confession, I’m currently on my second Mazda 6 car.

Universally acclaimed design

Mazda’s first implementation of its Kodo design was shown in 2012 with the release of the first generation CX-5. The Kodo design officially debuted in 2011 with the Minagi Concept, a vehicle that previewed the then-new CX-5. But only with the Takeri Concept will Kodo’s full potential be fully realized. By the time the Mazda 6 was teased for its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, expectations were high as the Japanese automaker can proudly emphasize that it is closely aligned with the Takeri concept on which it was based.

And lo and behold, when the Mazda6 finally debuted, jaws dropped. A long hood, combined with the sculpted hips that ran from the front fenders to the sides of the vehicle, gave it so much sleekness. The curvaceous roof and short rear deck beautifully shaped the traditional mid-size sedan format. 19-inch wheels, which were still a rarity at the time, filled the wheel arches with perfect proportions. The result is a mid-size sedan so universally praised for its design that it became a finalist for the 2013 World Car Design of the Year.

Evolved to finer quality

Just as Mazda went all out for designing beautiful cars, they also decided around 2015 that they were going in the more expensive direction. With that, the Mazda6 underwent two facelifts, one refining the original design, while the next transformed the Mazda 6 into something more stately and elegant. I was privileged to own both facelifted versions, with my current Mazda 6 Wagon 20th Anniversary Edition getting a more elegant design. Each facelift made the Mazda 6 even more attractive and cemented its position as the more emotional choice over the usual Accord and Camry choices.

From sporty to premium

As the Mazda6 evolved over its ten-year cycle, its orientation changed from truly sporty to ultimately embracing elegance. This became more evident in the way interior design evolved. By the end of its life cycle, you might even wonder why you should spend money on a European luxury car at all.

Set premium benchmarks

The first version of this Mazda6 had a disappointing interior. In contrast to the stylish exterior of the Kodo design, the interior was sad, gloomy and boring. The technology it received was also mediocre in execution, but an available white leather interior was meant to liven things up. But in the end, the Mazda6 finally got the interior it deserved thanks to the first facelift for the 2016 model year. A subtle update refined the exterior, but the boring interior was ripped out in favor of a more stylish and significantly more expensive interior with similar aesthetic choices to the then-new 2014 Mazda 3.

Soft-touch materials and leatherette surfaces abound, as does a well-executed first-generation 7-inch rotary-dial MZD Connect infotainment system. Yes, it was a copy of BMW’s iDrive rotary control logic, but MZD Connect was perhaps one of the most intuitive infotainment systems ever. The interior of the 2016 Mazda 6, along with the second-generation CX-5s for the 2017 model year, further cemented Mazda’s reputation for creating interiors that set the premium standard among mainstream cars.

A drive that matched his emotions

Believe me when I say this, especially since I’m already in my second Mazda6 wagon, but the Mazda6 has evolved over its ten-year production life cycle from being purely sporty to a greater sense of refinement towards the end of its life. The first release gave us a mid-size sedan (or wagon, in my case) that focused so much on sportiness, but one that’s a bit too stiff and makes a bit more road noise than its competitors. The second facelift addressed this by adding thicker sound deadening and acoustic front glass (on higher trims) and a slightly softer suspension, while the immediate sporty feel was improved by recalibrated steering and the addition of G-Vectoring Control.

A second facelift took the Mazda6 to new heights of premium feel and refinement. Thanks to a new steering rack that is now mounted directly on the chassis, the steering feeling has become even more direct and at the same time slightly lighter. Additional sound deadening has been added, while the suspension now has a longer stroke. While the ride remains on the slightly stiff side, the longer suspension travel means the shocks and springs have more room to stabilize the body, especially when riding waves. Finally, this latest facelift also introduced a new 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that is torquey and powerful, while the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter received cylinder deactivation. Production for North America ended in the 2021 model year, while my 2024 Mazda 6 20th Anniversary Edition wagon was the swan song for this iconic nameplate.

What you need to know about ownership

Mazdas are known for being very reliable and rugged, and this generation of the Mazda6 is no exception. Here’s what you need to know about property, as well as its market value if you’re interested in buying one.

Exceptionally reliable

The fact that I’m in my second Mazda6 car is a testament to its reliability. In the six years I owned my first Mazda 6 car, which was driven primarily on the highway, the stabilizer link was the only part that was replaced. The robust 2.5-liter four-cylinder only required routine maintenance, and that also applies to the turbo version. However, keep in mind that, as with all direct injection engines, there is carbon build-up. The rate at which it accumulates can be slowed by fuel additives, or if it has already collected, go to a shop that blasts or chemically strips walnuts. iSeeCars also ranks the Mazda 6 as one of the most reliable midsize sedans, with a reliability rating of 8.3 out of 10, an average lifespan of 11.1 years or 146,420 miles, and a 15.5 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles.

The only important part to pay attention to, if so equipped, is the i-ELOOP’s regenerative braking capacitor. Although a major contributor to exceptional fuel efficiency, the capacitor is not a lifetime component. When the device is not used for such a long time, errors may occur if the i-ELOOP becomes seriously discharged. Because it is linked to the EFB 12V battery, the battery itself can also suffer the same consequences. As with many cars that are not used for long periods of time, you should use a battery charger before starting the vehicle. However, the i-ELOOP lasts approximately 8 to 10 years. Since I sold my first Mazda6 in sixth grade, it was a part I never replaced. If it does need to be replaced, the capacitor will be the most expensive part of a Mazda at around $800.

How much should you buy a used one

According to iSeeCarsA 2021 Mazda 6, the last model year for this midsize sedan, has an average used price of $21,363. A five-year-old model will have an average price of $19,858, or 56.7 percent of its remaining value. This means it has a five-year depreciation rate of 43.3 percent, which is slightly less than the 41.5 percent average for the midsize sedan segment. The used values ​​of the Mazda 6 are just right: not exceptionally strong, but not bad either. For reference, a five-year-old Camry loses 35.5 percent of its value in five years, while a Hyundai Sonata loses 46.2 percent of its value in five years.

Source: iSeeCars