Mazda 6 Sedan 2017 Review

The competition in the mid-size sedan market in Malaysia remains fierce, as the overlap of household needs and business scenarios has made consumers more focused on vehicle balance — it needs to look decent, have practical space, offer sufficient power, and be equipped with features that meet daily usage demands. As a core product in the brand's mid-size car segment, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan continues the "KODO" design philosophy while maintaining the brand's consistent tuning style in both configuration and driving feel. This time, we conducted a comprehensive test on the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public version, with the main goal of seeing whether it can satisfy local consumers' diverse needs for mid-size cars through its combination of design, handling, and practicality.

In terms of exterior design, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public version retains the brand's signature "KODO" style, with overall sleek and dynamic lines. The front features a large shield-shaped grille, accented by chrome trims that connect to the sharp LED headlamp units on both sides, providing high recognition. Muscle lines on the hood extend from the grille to the A-pillar, enhancing the sporty feel of the front. The side profile adopts a dual waistline design: the upper line runs from the headlamp to the taillamp, while the lower line slightly rises from the bottom of the doors. Combined with 17-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, the side proportions look slender and balanced. At the rear, the LED taillamp cluster gets a smoked treatment, with clear internal light strips that create a striking visual effect when lit up. The small ducktail design on the trunk lid and the dual exhaust layout below further emphasize the sporty character. Overall, the 2017 model's exterior strikes a balance between being not overly aggressive while still standing out among competitors, aligning with the dual-use orientation for both family and business.

Moving to the interior, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public version features a symmetrical layout, with the center console tilted slightly toward the driver for easier operation. The interior materials primarily consist of soft-touch molded materials, while the door panels and seats are wrapped in leather, giving a refined feel. A 7-inch floating touchscreen display sits atop the center console, supporting Bluetooth connectivity, USB multimedia input, and other functions with a clear operational logic. Regarding features, this model is equipped with dual-zone automatic air conditioning, push-button start, keyless entry, a reversing camera, cruise control, and other practical functionalities. The seats offer electric adjustment, with 8-way adjustability for the driver and 4-way adjustability for the front passenger. The seat padding is soft with good support, making it comfortable even during long drives. Notably, physical buttons are retained below the center console, making it convenient for blind operation while driving — a thoughtful touch for a practicality-focused vehicle.

In terms of space performance, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan measures 4865mm×1840mm×1450mm, with a wheelbase of 2830mm, placing it at the mainstream level among mid-size cars. The front row offers ample space, with a 175cm-tall passenger having one fist of headroom after adjusting the seat. The rear space performs equally well, featuring more than two fists of legroom and approximately four fingers of headroom, sufficient to comfortably seat three adults without feeling cramped. As for storage capacity, door panel storage slots can accommodate two bottles of water, and the central armrest box is deep enough to store small items. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 483L, and the rear seats support a foldable split configuration to expand the storage space, meeting daily household or short travel loading needs. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, enhancing comfort for rear passengers.

In terms of power, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public edition is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 155Ps and a peak torque of 200N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power output is smooth at the start, throttle response is linear, and there is no obvious jerkiness. While driving at low to medium speeds, the transmission has a clear shifting logic, enabling quick upshifts and downshifts, meeting daily urban commuting needs. When switched to Sport mode, throttle sensitivity improves, and engine RPM stays at a higher range, providing a more noticeable push-back feel during acceleration, giving more confidence during overtaking. However, at high-speed conditions, the power output in the later stage appears to be slightly insufficient, requiring significant throttle input to achieve noticeable power, which is a common characteristic of naturally aspirated engines.

Regarding handling and chassis performance, the Mazda 6 is equipped with a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned towards a sporty feel. The steering is precise with minimal play, providing moderate feedback which feels light at low speeds and stable at high speeds, instilling good confidence in the driver. When faced with bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters fine vibrations while retaining a certain amount of road feel; while passing over speed bumps or larger potholes, the suspension rebounds quickly, and the car body maintains stability without noticeable excess sway. During cornering, body roll is well-controlled, tire grip is sufficient, and the overall performance is solid, aligning with its positioning as a sporty mid-sized sedan.

In terms of fuel consumption, we conducted a test under mixed driving conditions, with urban roads accounting for about 60% and highways about 40%. The actual fuel consumption was recorded at 7.8L/100km, which is not far from the official figure of 7.2L/100km, putting its fuel economy at an above-average level among similar naturally aspirated vehicles in its class. In noise control, the cabin noise at idle is low, and the engine is almost inaudible; at high speeds, some wind and tire noise can be heard, but it remains within an acceptable range without impacting normal conversations among passengers.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public version lie in its high design aesthetics, excellent handling feel, practical space, and features that meet daily needs. Compared to its competitors in the same class, its "KODO" design is more distinctive, and its handling outperforms most family mid-sized cars, while its space and configuration remain at the mainstream level. However, in terms of power, the acceleration ability of the 2.0L naturally aspirated engine in the later stage is slightly inadequate, which is its shortcoming.

From the perspective of target users, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public edition is suitable for family users who value design and driving experience. It can meet the daily practical demands for space and utility, while also providing some driving pleasure. Moreover, its relatively stable exterior design makes it suitable for some business uses. For consumers who pursue strong power, they may need to consider higher displacement versions or other competing models. However, for most users who prioritize balance, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public edition is a good choice.

Overall, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public Edition is a "well-balanced and highlight-filled" midsize car. It strikes a good balance between design, handling, and practicality. Although its power performance is not outstanding, its comprehensive product strength still makes it competitive in its class. If you are looking for a midsize car that is stylish, easy to drive, and practical, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sedan Public Edition is worth considering.