2014 Mazda6

2014 Mazda6

Episode 3236 , Episode 3250
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Mazda’s SKYACTIV gas saving approach has clearly fueled sales of the compact CX-5 crossover. Well now Mazda is focusing their new thinking at the mid-size sedan realm with an all-new Mazda6. But no matter how innovative, it won’t be easy to get traction in a segment dominated by Camry and Accord. But, as the Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima have recently shown, noteworthy designs can make a dent. So is it the Mazda6’s turn? Let’s find out.

The 2014 MAZDA6 is the 3rd generation of Mazda’s mid-sizer. And while sales have never been huge, that’s mostly because the 6 strived to offer something unique. This also marks the 2nd vehicle to get the full SKYACTIV treatment, which emphasizes light weight and increased powertrain efficiency over electric-assist or alternative fuels to raise fuel economy. And it introduces further new technology dubbed i-ELOOP, which is a capacitor-based regenerative braking system that feeds power to electrical components during normal braking. 

Feeding power to the 6’s front wheels is the CX-5’s new SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter I4 with fuel sipping goodies, super-high 13:1 compression ratio, direct injection, variable timing, and reduced friction, all helping to produce 184-horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque. Both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic are available. Still to come is the promised SKYACTIV-D diesel, making its way to our shores later this year. 

The design and size of the interior usually makes or breaks a family sedan. It clearly hurt the previous Mazda6. The new car is clearly roomier, with a driver focused layout that looks handsome and orderly. The BMW-inspired, low dash features controls that are all easy to operate. Optional is an iDrive-like “commander-switch” that manages the rather small 5.8-inch radio and nav display. But, its buttons are mostly the same as those that surround the touch screen or are on the steering wheel, so we don’t feel it’s any more convenient. 

The three pod gauge cluster has a large tach left, speedometer center, and an info display on the right. But, with only a coolant light, it not as sporty as it appears. Radar Cruise, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Forward Obstruction Warning are new options.

The front seat bottoms seemed thin, but overall comfort is good whether covered in leather in the Grand Touring model or in cloth as in the base Sport model. There’s minimal steering wheel rake so you sit lower than most family sedans. More MX-5 than CX-5 and we liked it.

Thanks to a longer wheelbase, rear seat room is no longer a Mazda6 handicap. Rear legroom is up almost an inch and now comparable to Camry and Accord. Cargo capacity actually falls a bit however, to 14.8 cubic-ft. We spent time in both the quite luxurious Grand Touring model and the base Sport and found them to each have a different personality. 

The Sport with its manual trans was clearly the most fun; the shifter is almost Miata-like, and gives the car a more engaging and entertaining personality. 

Not that the Grand Tourer is a snoozer. Its automatic is much improved, though the SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission is in a real hurry to shift up as soon as possible to maximize fuel economy. 

Like just about every other updated chassis the new 6 gets stiffer and lighter, and like most Mazda’s when driven at a slightly aggressive pace it feels very willing-and-able with sharp turn-ins and responsive steering. It’s only when you keep pushing that you’re reminded that even though the suspension feels firmer than Camry and Accord, this really is a family sedan. Further reminders come from Dynamic Stability Control that was a little too eager to engage. 

Going SKYACTIV on the ¼-mile in our Grand Touring auto-equipped Mazda6 was not exactly thrilling, but not exactly slow either; 0-60 is dispatched in 8.2-seconds, with 16.4-seconds and 87 miles-per-hour to finish the entire quarter mile.

While it won’t supplant the Ford Fusion as best looking in the segment, we are fans of the 6’s slick looking, swoopy sheet-metal. 19-inch wheels are standard on Touring and Grand Touring models, and even the base Sport model features 17s.

The SKYACTIV approach does indeed payoff in Government Fuel Economy Ratings; 26-City, 38-Highway, and 30-Combined for the automatic. That’s 2 MPG Highway better than a similar Camry I4, and the same as Accord. We averaged a fine 33.9 on Regular grade. The Energy Impact Score is thus better than average; 11.0-barrels of annual oil use and yearly CO2 emissions of 4.8-tons. 

Prices for the Mazda6 are up just slightly over last year, starting at $21,675.

The 2014 Mazda6 has stayed true to its roots of driving enjoyment, while taking care of most size and equipment issues. We see SKYACTIV economy gains also as a plus. Still, it won’t topple Camry or Accord. But, is new “6” now a more desirable alternative to the brown paper bag family sedan? You bet your sweet “Zoom-Zoom” it is.

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.5-liter I4
  • Horsepower: 184
  • Torque: 185 lb-ft.
  • 0-60 mph: 8.2 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 16.4 seconds @ 87 mph
  • EPA: 26 mpg city/ 38 mpg highway
  • Energy Impact: 11.0 barrels of oil/yr
  • CO2 Emissions: 4.8 tons/yr

Long Term Updates

Mileage: 2,200

We debated about ordering a 2014 Mazda6 with a manual transmission. After all, this stylish mid-size family sedan is usually equipped with an automatic. But, we did and we’re glad. It enables us to explore the true nature of the car and see that at Mazda there really is some “Zoom Zoom” in every design.

Our Sport is also the base trim, and we are impressed at how well equipped it is. Lots of power accessories, cruise, supportive seats, and even a decent sounding stereo, all for less than $22,000.

Fuel economy is decent too. The SkyActiv powertrain is returning 32.9 miles per gallon of regular after 2,200 miles of daily duty.

And, yes, it is a pleasure to drive. No automatic, not even with paddle shifters, can duplicate the driver-car interaction of a manual tranny. Plus, in the 2014 Mazda6, it fits us like a glove.

Mileage: 10,000

Another family car that so far plays to a smaller group of fans is our 2014 Mazda6 Sport.

But, that’s changing as more buyers are drawn in by the new “6’s” striking good looks.

Looks that fit a family sedan that is a total performance package; matching a sporty sedan nature with excellent fuel economy, and a very affordable price. Granted, our car is the standard 6-speed manual. But, even automatic cars get the driver involved like no rival.

The 2.5-liter SkyActiv four has more than ample power, and that’s with a hybrid-like 34.8 miles per gallon of regular fuel economy after 6 months and 10,000 miles.

Best of all, we have had no mechanical issues, not even premature wear and tear. Nope, for us, the Mazda6 keeps coming up as a winning number.

Mileage: 11,500

We have nothing but praise for our 2014 Mazda6 family sedan, which has also ended a very successful visit with us.

We can also add stylish to our praise, as the “6’s” striking good looks are to us best in class.

Then there is the enjoyable drive of the Mazda6, something not normal said about a mid-size mass market four door. Indeed our base “Sport” model lived up to its name, and the standard 6-speed manual transmission was a welcome change from the typical automatic.

The 2.5-liter SkyActiv engine provided more than ample power, and that’s with a hybrid-like 35.5 miles per gallon of regular fuel economy after 7 months and 11,500 miles.

But let’s get back to roomy. The latest Mazda6 gives up nothing to rivals in space and comfort. Plus, there were no mechanical issues.

The Mazda6 is the one alternative to Camry and Accord that anyone who enjoys driving will instantly love.

2024 Audi RS 7 Performance 1

2024 Audi RS 7 Performance

Up For Grand Touring Around A Racetrack

Episode 4329
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

In recent years, Audi has done an increasingly better job at merging luxury, high tech and sportiness equally into all of their vehicles, but that doesn’t mean they all have the same priorities. So, if you’re wondering what this car is all about… well, it’s right there in the name, the Audi RS 7 Performance!

First and foremost, the 2024 Audi RS 7 Performance is absolutely fantastic looking. A gorgeous car from all angles. But this posh performer is a lot more than just a visual treat. Under its silky skin lies a menacing sounding V8 that delivers insane amounts of power and, as we discovered, a gloriously intoxicating driving experience.

RS elements added to Audi’s S7 five-door coupe include new aero treatments with a matte gray finish and silver 21-inch Audi Sport wheels. Those silver wheels are wrapped with 275 Continental summer performance tires and allow for seeing plenty of the enormous brake rotors with black-painted calipers. Up front, there’s a wide grille inhaling all kinds of air and headlights with uniqueness that’s pure Audi. This five-door coupe with frameless door windows speaks a true hardtop design.

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Now that we’ve gotten that out of our system, time to hit the corners of Savannah’s Roebling Road Raceway, and it’s been quite some time since we’ve had anything here or on any road course that exhibited this much body roll. It didn’t matter what drive mode we had dialed in, it just liked to roll. You could sense that soft suspension in our acceleration runs too. Bystanders got a clear view of a lot of its hardware, thanks to major rear-end squatting as it exploded off the line. Those explosions resulted in a quick 3.7-second trip to 60 miles-per-hour and full quarter-mile runs of 11.9 seconds at 118 miles-per-hour. Fast indeed, though we’re sure both times would improve in warmer temps than our 40-degree test day.

Drive modes have been recalibrated and shifts by the eight-speed Tiptronic in Dynamic Mode are quick. Indeed, noticeably quicker and firmer than in the RS6 wagon we tested just a few months ago without the “performance” treatment. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.

We’ve never experienced a car that can feel this soft yet was absolutely point-and-shoot through corners.

The driving force for that acceleration is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 cranking out an additional 30 horsepower from the standard RS 7 thanks to installing bigger turbos. That makes for a 621-horsepower rating, with an even more impressive boost in torque from 590 to 627 lb-ft. And Audi was kind enough to remove a little sound deadening material so we can appreciate it even more through the optional RS sport exhaust system.

For what is really a Grand Tourer built for blasting you away on luxurious adventures, the RS 7 performance is amazingly track capable. Steering is very direct with great feel, and all four wheels are engaged in the process. They’re connected to a new mechanical self-locking center differential that is not only capable of handling the additional power but is lighter and quicker to respond. Chassis software has been recalibrated to make it all work together seamlessly. There must be some serious engineering wizardry happening in the RS-tuned air suspension as we’ve never experienced a car that can feel this soft yet was absolutely point-and-shoot through corners. Brakes were truly phenomenal too; there was some significant nosedive happening, but no wandering or fading no matter how hard we worked them.

And yes, it’s hard to call this actual work, considering this work environment is far from hostile. Absolutely nothing has been compromised when it comes to delivering the luxury car experience you expect from a six-figure Audi. Whether it’s the fabulous real metal, leather, and detailed woven carbon-fiber materials or the fine stitch-work and the always impressive comprehensive digital gauge display, the RS 7 performance feels truly special inside.

2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Dash
2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Shifter
2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Seat
2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Trunk
2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Engine
2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Dash2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Shifter2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Seat2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Trunk2024 Audi RS 7 Performance Engine

The front seats were supremely comfortable and were only mildly bolstered yet held us in place just fine out on the track. Plenty of room for rear seat passengers too, and there’s even a great 24.6 cubic-feet of cargo space with hatchback versatility. Less practical is all touchscreen all the time for just about every cockpit control.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 14 City, 22 Highway, and 17 Combined. That’s a below average Energy Impact Score of 17.5 barrels of yearly oil use with 8.8 tons of CO2 emissions.

Pricing starts at $129,490, and Audi knows they have a good thing going with the RS 7 performance; so much so, it’s now the only RS 7.

So, could they have just made the RS 7 better instead of tacking “performance” onto the name? Sure, but there’s just something about adding performance to a car name that draws people in. And when it backs it up by delivering more actual performance, well, that’s what we call a win-win. We’d be happy to run some victory laps in the 2024 Audi RS 7 Performance anytime.

Specifications

  • Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
  • Horsepower: 621
  • 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
  • EPA: 14 City | 22 Highway | 17 Combined
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Torque: 627 lb-ft.
  • 1/4 Mile: 11.9 seconds at 118 mph
  • Starting Price: $129,490