It's not weird that Mazda is using a 6 speed automatic transmission in this car. They spent a lot of money developing the SkyActiv transmission and use basically the same one in every car they manufacture. They are a small company and this helps keep costs down. It doesn't make sense to develop one with more gears just because other companies are doing it, especially when the SkyActiv one shifts quickly and smoothly, and delivers good gas mileage. It just plain works well, so why "fix" what isn't broken?
@@aSASa45454 Repeating the same thing doesn't make it so. Just look at jeeps widely panned 10 speed transmissions where the car jumps gears completely and gets confused when shifting. They have gotten better but a simpler gear set or even a cvt has led to smoother shifts and less computer shifting issues.
Claire Kennedy Mazda is in a tough category with the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Legacy, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, etc.
You can take the Ford Fusion off that list of competition because Ford is going to stop selling them in North America soon, as well as the Fiesta, Focus, and Taurus. That should help all the other companies with a little less competition.
Lastly u failed to mention the 250hp is only on 93 octane. With 87 octane it's 227. So when u were doing your 0 to 60 what gas were u using?! Gzz details matter!
IMO there is no way a 6 minute video on a complicated machine can be "comprehensive". I do agree with the camera but the constant comments around "only has a 6 speed" is just another example of how nunber happy society is. More gears doesn't mean better. It's all about the sum of its parts. Also suspect the car would behave better with rubber other than those Falken Ziex tires.
Why do reviewers continue to complain about the lack of manual transmissions in cars? NO ONE BUYS THEM. That's why there arent that many on the market. C'mon enough already.
makingadifference exactly it's the same argument for why companies are ditching wagons everybody loves to complain oh why don't they off the car with a "stick" or in a "wagon", but those people are all talk & Will almost never even buy a car like that. The numbers speak for themselves honestly people just need to quit crying like little girls.
I buy them. There are a lot of things I like better about the Mazda6 than the Accord, but I like the options available in the Accord with a manual, so that's what I ended up buying. Edit: Just to clarify, there are plenty of things I like better about the Accord as well. That said, if I could have gotten a Mazda6 in GT trim or higher with a manual transmission and the 2.5t, I probably would have bought that car instead.
It's the same reason it took 30 years to get digital instrument clusters coming back because the reviewers hated the ones in the 80's. So we were stuck with basic analog clusters instead of having the evolution in design and improvements.
While I agree, I think car's like these are meant more for auto than stick, now if they did a mazdaspeed3/6 then a manual option would be great. Also, agree more ppl buy auto's, as they've come along ways in tech, and it's the same argument about why they make so many SUV's, as no one is really buying sedans anymore.
I own a 2018 Mazda 6 Reserve Model, I was driving in West Texas between Garden City and Midland a crew cab pickup truck tried to cut me off, I was amazed at the response from the engine when I stepped on the gas pedal, from 75-103 like lighting the after burner on a fighter jet plenty of power.
Having 2 gas gauges is definitely weird. But having a 6 speed transmission isn’t, especially if it does the job. I don’t think Mazda should add more gears to its transmission just for the sake of matching its competitors. Some of these new transmissions are proving to be unreliable.
Great video - really comprehensive video review. Have to admit - I hadn't noticed the weird stuff you pointed out. Learn something new each and every day man - - thanks!
6 speeds should be a nice standard to shoot for (no pun intended.) More than that in an automatic and I find that the car spends more time hunting and shifting than actually shooting you nicely down the road with great rapidity.
When you have an engine that makes this much torque, a 6 speed is plenty adequate. It would be nice if this car would be offered with AWD as an option.
1 gas gauge is for projected range translated in mi/km the other is for fuel level. I think it's kind of neat. My daily is a 2018 Mazda 6 Touring & I honestly wish I had that on my dash just because it is useful to have the car tell me what it thinks based on data it has compiled on my driving habits rather than having to guess myself. Having it right there rather than on another screen is convenient.
Actually, it's not weird at all to have two "gas gauges" because one of them appears to be showing your range in miles as opposed to just showing the amount of gas left in the tank. Most modern cars have a way to display this information and it's in addition to the regular gas gauge. My question is how can you claim to be a car reviewer and expect any credibility when something this simple and obvious befuddles you? My other question is how did something like this make it through editing?
Why does it matter if its only a 6 speed if it's performance and fuel economy nearly matches those who have more? Doesn't that show how well engineered this 6 speed is?
Michael, I like this, BUT not having a manual box with the turbo,..well that idea should be moved over to the " just plain weird " section. IF the manual had turbo engine, then THAT would be a 'sporty' car indeed. Otherwise this is another good video from TFLnow, Thanks Mike!
Thanks Gerard, but I'm one of those who likes using a clutch. I have an 'auto-manual' ( my terminology ) in my 2010 Mini Cooper, it's nice but not quite the same as a manual transmission, don't you think?
Reg Sparkes i completely understand. That's why i keep an MX5 for other purposes. For a daily though, it's a different story entirely. Stop and go traffic can wear down my kneecap to a nub. Lol.
Haha! I hear you, I once drove my manual shift/box ( and I did mean SHIFT/box) '06 Mustang on a road trip from far eastern Canada to Ohio and back,..it was on my way back that I fell 'out of love' with this "glorified F-150 " and when I got home I sold it and bought the Mini Cooper ,....so yes I enjoy the manual shift cars as toys, but daily driver has got to be an automatic. Cheers !
As I asked on a previous Mazda 6 Turbo video of yours, what octane were you using for the 0-60 test? Mazda has said you get different horse power depending on which you use, Regular or Premium. It might be a pain, but I would like to see a 0-60 test using both octane to see what, if any, performance difference you might get.
I don't understand why the American models have such bad fuel economy? In the UK, the Mazda 6 Sport 2.2 Turbo Diesel does 0-62 in around 7.6 seconds and around 67mpg. The 2.0 petrol does 0-62 around 9 seconds at with about 47mpg.
Omg, every modern turbo car has a heat exchanger that removes the heat built up from the turbo compressing air. The real reason why the engine has a moderately high compression ratio is that it has direct injection. Direct injection has far better cylinder cooling than port injection, and has allowed high compression ratios for the past 12+ years. The real reason why the turbo isn't laggy, is due to it having a small turbo for its displacement and direct injection to allow it to run higher pressures without risk of knock and detonation. You guys need to really stop saying the crap they tell you, like CNN reporting on "official" reports from the Pentagon, and start actually figuring out what's really going on. My journalism professor hated official sources. She called them the demise of the journalist and the rise of the professional spokesman.
Firestarter you might want to do some research before you go running off your opinion because it’s clearly false. The Dynamic Pressure Turbo is most certainly a thing, it’s not some made up attraction for press attention. Your relation of high compression ratio and direct injection makes absolutely no sense because vehicles across the board have used DI for years on end now
Connecticut Dashcam look up the compression ratios of dit engines and you'll see that this motor is on par with tech from 10+ years ago. Nothing I said was false, every modern turbo engine utilizes a heat exchanger to remove heat from the intake tract. And there are plenty of engines with cooled egr systems preturbo. My comment on their journalistic integrity stands as valid. This isn't the first time they just stated a marketing line. The only "unique" quality this turbo has is its variable turbo inlet. BMW n54 was 10.2:1 subaru fa20dit 10.6:1 Audi 2.0tfsi 10.5:1 And that isn't scratching the surface. Try doing your own research for once.
Connecticut Dashcam reply #2 You do realize the gasoline engines have had torque figures similar to this right? The dynamic pressure system is a gimmick. Like yamahas variable length intake runnera. Sounds good on paper, but lacks results in real world. For instance, this engine has a torque advantage over a 2.0 subaru engine, but the subaru engine makes more hp. The Subaru engine utilizes a larger turbo. The fact of the matter is they're using a small turbo on a relatively large engine. 250hp/300ft lbs 91oct 2.5L vs 268hp/258 ft lbs 91oct 2.0L. 25% more displacement yields only 16% more torque and 7% less hp. The recipe is very small turbo, and a moderate compression ratio that necessitates direct injection to provide the cylinder cooling to run them.
Firestarter while most of your statements are correct, I’d like to point out, not every manufacturer has a heat exchanger for turbocharged applications. The Subaru Wrx 2.0 does not have one. And one fact tfl did not get correct is the real compression ratio on this engine which is 13.0 - 1.
Just test drove this Mazda 6 with the turbo motor. I can't say enough how much of a disappointment this powertrain is. Utterly disappointed. Turbo lag was horrible. The 6-spd auto is just not appropriate in this day and age. The Mazda's handling was better than the Accord's, but negligibly. The brakes on the 6 were also a very weak point. I test drove the Accord 2.0T Sport 10-spd auto two days prior and in almost every single aspect, it's a FAR superior car to the 6. The 6 does handle a bit better, and its exterior styling is much more attractive. The interior also feels premium. But the Accord seriously felt like it was on a whole other level. Driving the Accord Sport 2.0T in Sport mode was like driving my 435i Gran Coupe in comfort mode. The Accord's steering wheel also felt like a million bucks. The 6's steering wheel was so thin in comparison. And, frankly, the Accord does look great with the Sport model's darker chrome grille. Great job to Honda for having the ability to create such a tremendous sedan. If it means that the next Acura TLX will be that much better, then the TLX will be a class leader in short time.
"Is this a review of the car or [Mike]? The camera was focused on [Mike] the whole time!" Just pointing out how silly some of the comments on yesterday's video were. Mike is great, as are Andre, Nathan, Tommy and Sarah too! Looking forward to more great videos.
The gas cap noise will fade away eventually. Because the vehicle is still brand new, it makes weird noises. I had the same issue with my brand new Jeep 2 years ago. I think it went away after 4 or 5 months after I purchased it.
Having 6 gears was brilliant of Mazda bc the Mazda6 achieves the same miles per gallon as the Camry and Accord while they’re having to use 8-10 gears on a brand new chastity, all the while Mazda is still using the previous generation for 2018 & doing just-as-well. Btw, the top trim 2018 Mazda6 Signature is less expensive than the top trim Accord 2.0 Touring and Camry XSE. Mazda Smart.. they were able to cut costs and still be the most luxurious!
I’m all for progression and new, but I like my 2014 Mazda 6 Touring rims a lot better, I feel like these new rims are more luxury while the bigger rims from 2014-2017 are sportier, but that’s just my opinion
I believe that's called an Intercooler! @0:45 Also, @0:55 to 1:40 it shouldn't be about varying pressure, they are using velocity of air to turn the turbine..in fact pressure is inversely proportional to velocity..so I guess you were speaking about velocity and not stressing about the pressure..
The only things I would change (or update) would be: 1. Android Auto and CarPlay 2. Option of AWD 3. The option of the Auburn leather interior color from the CX-9. (Personal preference) 4. Possibly a new 8-Speed (or so) Skyactiv Auto. Even though I know it probably doesn't need it. All in all though, outstanding car as always with these new Mazdas.
AA and CP are coming within months :) AWD would be awesome though, but supposedly the platform can't handle it space-wise? The leather option on the Signature includes a Chestnut Brown. It IS a lot darker than the CX-9. I prefer the darker color myself but I understand personal preferences vary!
I know AA and CP are coming so that's good. I personally don't need AWD where I live (my current car is also just FWD) it's just nice to have especially with all that torque. From the videos I've seen so far, Chestnut Brown seems to look a little dingy and almost black in some cases. That being said, I haven't actually seen Chestnut Brown in person yet so I'll hold off judgement until then.
Mike, for a about $1500 less than the Mazda, I bought a base Kia Stinger AWD, as attractive as the Mazda is, where I live all wheel drive is a much better option than FWD for winter driving. For all you Kia doubters, this is my second Kia, no matter how attractive the Stinger is, if my first Kia was junk, there wouldn’t be a second one. As far as looks, for me it’s a toss up, both the Mazda and the Kia are very good looking cars. Very nice test, interesting and to the point.
fahmid siddique, I’m not sure this applies to the Canadian market but I believe the Stinger you’re talking about is one of the GT models. Apparently, in Canada the base 4 cylinder turbo is not offered. I just checked Kia Canada, the base GT with AWD is $44195, the lowest trim Mazda 6 with the turbo is $35800, so you are partially correct, there is a difference between the Stinger AWD & the Mazda6 turbo, I bet if you went into a Kia dealer in Canada, the final price between the two cars would be much closer, Kia is offering aggressive deals in the US. Mazda certainly has a better name but if someone asked me 5 years ago if I would consider a Kia I would have laugh at them, this is my second Kia, the first was a Sportage SX turbo, So far I’m very happy with Kia.
I have nothing at all against turbos. Had one in my 2000 Jetta TDI, which admittedly was a unique animal. But with every single manufacturer bringing out out all these various turbocharged engines, there's no doubt that some are going to be duds. Let's face it, not every engineering team is going to hit a home run. I wonder what that will do to the reputation of turbocharged engines in general going forward as a technology to be relied on, not just by enthusiasts, but by the entire motoring public of millions of drivers.
You forgot to talk about the weirdly assembled fog lamps being integrated into the front headlights! And I think the digital gas-gauge is to show miles-to-empty. And yeah.. didn’t agree with the tin cup gas door pop! lol
While I would welcome the extra power, I am getting a combined 28-30 mpg (mostly city) on my '17 Mazda 6 GT with the 6speed manual. This average has been over the last 3 months and 4500km including winter driving in Canada. But damn the styling refresh is sweet
Did I just hear $36,000? Big jump from the last Model. Of course you get a lot more options and upgrades but $36,000? That's about a $550 payment with 5,000 down over 60 months with no negotiated price. Holy smokes! It's at the Lexus, Mercedes, BMW level now.
The gas cap is a gong. Lol. About Mazda's infotainment system, I understand it does feel weird but its actually easy to navigate. Idk im technology nerd so i find it easy for me than others. 2nd note, Apple Car Play & Android Auto were planned to get retro-fitted later in 2018, so more like a half-bad / half- good. The transmission not having 8 speeds which is a disappointment, and i find the mileage for the car a little lacking. (Factory turbo's always get worse mileage than after-market).
This car does not have two gas gauges. One gauge shows the range until empty while the other is the amount of fuel in the tank. I really like the look of the car I'm just not a fan of the infotainment screen popping out of the dash. I would rather the screen integrated into the center console. I've had a 2014 CX-9 since new and love the build quality and high end interior. I've had zero problems with it. With Mazda's good quality and great looking cars it is just a matter of time before they become a major player in the auto industry. This Mazda 6 with the turbo is a step in the right direction to become mainstream.
I have a blk ‘16 GT and I love it. For Me personally It just isn’t enough for Me to get excited out of my chair and trade mine for the ‘18. Im totally happy with waiting 5yrs or so and see what Mazda does with more major overall overhaul. I say 5yrs because I feel they will just make little changes in the next few yrs going with the ‘18 platform. Id rather wait for a much more wow factor a the few yrs down the line. Mazdaspeed 6??...It also will be more sweeter to go from a ‘16 gt to a lets say ‘23 refresh with a Major!! difference to a ‘16. ‘18 is not enough to switch for Me. BUT If you want a Mazda and don’t have one THIS would be great for You!
The Mazda 6's we have here in Florida the back up camera does not flicker like that. You may need the update on the infotainment system on the car you tested.
Joshua Rutter Actually we have seen the camera screen do that and after we update the infotainment system it stops. I do know many of the 2018's had an update we had to do during the PDI process. I am not saying that is the issue but that is the most common issue.
The gears are still really long And that’s why it’s not gonna be faster than the competition because it shifts too slowly even with all that new torque. Still glad to see them give it more power.
I think the digital "gas gage" displays your milage range. Still kind of odd that they chose to display it that way where it looks nearly identical to the actual analog gas gage that displays fuel levels.
It's crazy how most of you complain about the power of Mazda 6 engines and don't take into account real (not written) fuel economy and engine reliability. With this new turbo engine it's still unproven, but the naturally aspirated Mazda engines were absolutely and by far the most reliable compared to any other available similarly powered engine (basically most other had turbos and lower displacement = higher heat stress) - at least I can speak about Japan-made Mazdas and market of central Europe. The engines do regularly about 150k miles without any (!) service problem, and I have friends in many car dealerships and repair shops... so they tell me. Real-world fuel economy was also amazing compared to most competitors... on my 2.0l 165hp 6 used for daily commuting 100 miles (20 % windy road, 40 % freeway, 40 % large city with traffic jams) I get long-term average of 38mpg, despite we can drive fast here in Europe, i.e. freeway = 85+ mph. The friends with current non-turbocharged 2.5 A/T engine are worse-off, but not by much, from what they tell me they get about 31mpg in similar scenario... The auto transmission is about smoothest from all similarly priced competitors, way better than VW Passat for example; and it certainly doesn't lack gears, they're good for better fuel economy, but make driving often little less comfortable (you can still feel gear changes in most dual-clutch auto-trans), and Mazda can do magic without it. So if the improved turbocharged engine is little bit de-tuned to be more reliable than competitors, as was always Mazda's way, then it will be great. Time will tell. I'd always rather go fraction slower - where on the real roads I can feel the difference of 1s on 0-60? - with better mpg and reliability... Your mileage may vary.
Out of balance review. Skipping or fast forward thru 95% of good and great and overblowing the 5% of bad or needing tweaks.... Entertainment system and control knob is the best in class after adding Android auto that you did not have in early release car. After getting use to the knob it is the most intuitive and luxury car feature . it takes few months to adjust to and it will keep your LCD screen smeary grease free :) Sorry Camcord owners. With this much torque there is no need for extra gears ,could it help maybe but knowing how unique this skyactiv automatic is with its torque converter off for 80% of the time for very direct feel and its 6 gear as high as other conventional automatics 8 gear . Valid point about backing camera resolution too low , just remember that it is not for observing the details and beauty behind the car when backing up but for safety and practicality so i can leave with it as is. Gas cap sound oh please 😰 Sounds like another Honda symphatizer's review of this superior Mazda 6.
I hope Mazda will thrive and become a bigger company so that they can make the car many enthusiasts want. Come on 8 or 10 gear shifts are normal these days so is the apple car play. Mazda is like an outstanding student who desperately needs scholarships
Elon Y. Kim Why people keep complaining about less gears? 6sp works perfectly fine. Why fix what's not broken? More gears, more moving parts translate into higher maintenance, not to mention gear hunting and slow to down shift etc.
This is the first time I have watched one of your videos. The information was good the delivery, was less so. It seems like you were talking a lot faster than your natural speech pattern - I imagine if you slowed down just a little bit you wouldn't stumble over your words as often making the information you are putting out easier to digest. Overall I liked the straight to the point...fairly short style of your review.
I test drove the 6 Signature against the Accord 2.0T Touring and it had less road noise than the Honda. It is significantly better than my 3 GT from 2014.
That’s funny you say that because with actual experimental test data, it is one of the quietest in the class. Matching the interior noise of the Tesla model X, as a matter of fact
Wow, it's dissapointing that they won't/can't use the manual with the forced induction engine. Perhaps the torque figures are too high to ensure longevity?
Ryan McFarland probably in DCT form that may be true due to gearing ratios but not in torque converters unless the gear ratios are adjusted to accomodate for better torque figures.
Brian Vtec this turbo 6 will do 60 well south of 7 seconds down here at sea level, possibly slightly below 6 seconds. My speed6 supposedly does 0-60 in 6 flat yet we regularly can hit 60 in low 5 to high 4 ranges stock and run mid 13 1/4’s even though most magazines low claim 14’s...
UnseenSpirit due to my and many others experiences, yes. You can check the forums for actual slips and proof. Stock speeds have ran 13.4’s, which is Focus RS levels lol
After being a Mazda owner, I just bought a Honda over a Mazda in order to have a moonroof and manual trans in the same car. Only Honda and Subaru offer manual trans and moonroof. I wish there were a movement to teach kids to drive manuals, else the companies will do away with the manuals soon, which would really suck.
Exactly, Peter... Although I have not owned a Mazda (ever in my lifetime) I have owned Vettes, Camaros, Mustangs, Ford Focus ST, Honda Si, and Honda S2000's (we car hop alot) and have loved all of them for the fun they all delivered being manuals. I presently have the 17 Honda Civic Si for that reason! Sunroof/manual.... I love the looks of the Mazda 6 GT trim but I am hesitant to go get it based on lack of manual trans. I understand you can get MT in the sport trim- but it's without the goodies on the GT and up trims = ALOT of the nicer features - Spoiled just a little.
Just a general comment. I continue to be perplexed as to why reviewers talk about "fewer" gears in an auto transmission being a drawback. What's the concern? Are you really concerned with the actual number of gears? Who cares about the number of gears? How does the car perform? How efficient is it on fuel consumption? What's the driving experience like? Ten gears? Six gears? Who cares? If the engineers were able to achieve the best results with a six speeds rather than a ten, nobody should care. If you could give me a car with 2 gears that is better performing, more efficient, and provides a superior driving experience, I'll take it! Yes, the number of gears can influence this... but I would say the relationship is elastic. Many times more gears helps. But not always. Focus on the end results.
It's not weird that Mazda is using a 6 speed automatic transmission in this car. They spent a lot of money developing the SkyActiv transmission and use basically the same one in every car they manufacture. They are a small company and this helps keep costs down. It doesn't make sense to develop one with more gears just because other companies are doing it, especially when the SkyActiv one shifts quickly and smoothly, and delivers good gas mileage. It just plain works well, so why "fix" what isn't broken?
A good 10 speed is still better than a good 6 speed
@@aSASa45454 the way some 10 speeds handle argues differently.
@@gabrieliacoboni6951 A good 10 speed is still better than a good 6 speed
@@aSASa45454 Repeating the same thing doesn't make it so. Just look at jeeps widely panned 10 speed transmissions where the car jumps gears completely and gets confused when shifting. They have gotten better but a simpler gear set or even a cvt has led to smoother shifts and less computer shifting issues.
@@gabrieliacoboni6951
anecdotes of bad 10 speeds do not change that... a good 10 speed is still better than a good 6 speed
Mazda is underrated! Mazda vehicles have always driven well but now they come with competitive tech and reliability ratings.
Claire Kennedy 🤔
Claire Kennedy Mazda is in a tough category with the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Legacy, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, etc.
You can take the Ford Fusion off that list of competition because Ford is going to stop selling them in North America soon, as well as the Fiesta, Focus, and Taurus. That should help all the other companies with a little less competition.
D Bear lol too bad Ford huh lol.
D Bear 🐼
Lastly u failed to mention the 250hp is only on 93 octane. With 87 octane it's 227. So when u were doing your 0 to 60 what gas were u using?! Gzz details matter!
IMO there is no way a 6 minute video on a complicated machine can be "comprehensive". I do agree with the camera but the constant comments around "only has a 6 speed" is just another example of how nunber happy society is. More gears doesn't mean better. It's all about the sum of its parts. Also suspect the car would behave better with rubber other than those Falken Ziex tires.
It, a very good transmissionTry it.
Why do reviewers continue to complain about the lack of manual transmissions in cars? NO ONE BUYS THEM. That's why there arent that many on the market. C'mon enough already.
makingadifference exactly it's the same argument for why companies are ditching wagons everybody loves to complain oh why don't they off the car with a "stick" or in a "wagon", but those people are all talk & Will almost never even buy a car like that. The numbers speak for themselves honestly people just need to quit crying like little girls.
They have to complain about something lol
I buy them. There are a lot of things I like better about the Mazda6 than the Accord, but I like the options available in the Accord with a manual, so that's what I ended up buying.
Edit: Just to clarify, there are plenty of things I like better about the Accord as well. That said, if I could have gotten a Mazda6 in GT trim or higher with a manual transmission and the 2.5t, I probably would have bought that car instead.
It's the same reason it took 30 years to get digital instrument clusters coming back because the reviewers hated the ones in the 80's. So we were stuck with basic analog clusters instead of having the evolution in design and improvements.
While I agree, I think car's like these are meant more for auto than stick, now if they did a mazdaspeed3/6 then a manual option would be great. Also, agree more ppl buy auto's, as they've come along ways in tech, and it's the same argument about why they make so many SUV's, as no one is really buying sedans anymore.
I own a 2018 Mazda 6 Reserve Model, I was driving in West Texas between Garden City and Midland a crew cab pickup truck tried to cut me off, I was amazed at the response from the engine when I stepped on the gas pedal, from 75-103 like lighting the after burner on a fighter jet plenty of power.
Mazda's design language is just so beautiful and elegant.
Having 2 gas gauges is definitely weird. But having a 6 speed transmission isn’t, especially if it does the job. I don’t think Mazda should add more gears to its transmission just for the sake of matching its competitors. Some of these new transmissions are proving to be unreliable.
The 2nd "gas gauge" isn't actually a gas gauge but rather a distance to empty..the analog one on the right is the actual fuel gauge.
Tek z Thanks for the clarification.
Why do cars need 9 speeds? Its not a Semi 18 wheeler for God's sake.
The point wasn't the amount of gears - it's that it's ONLY available with automatic. The complaint was no manual, and that makes me sad too.
Excelent review. It was difficult to find a video wich shows an acceleration test and indicates the time. Congratulations!!!
Great video - really comprehensive video review. Have to admit - I hadn't noticed the weird stuff you pointed out. Learn something new each and every day man - - thanks!
6 speeds should be a nice standard to shoot for (no pun intended.) More than that in an automatic and I find that the car spends more time hunting and shifting than actually shooting you nicely down the road with great rapidity.
When you have an engine that makes this much torque, a 6 speed is plenty adequate. It would be nice if this car would be offered with AWD as an option.
At least it's not a CVT transmission
Lmao my 2018 CX9 makes that same sound when I pop the fuel door. Love it
His eyes looked like he smoked a joint before going on camera 😂😂😂
Darren well, it is Colorado.... Soooo....
thecman26 haha would not be surprised
He's a fat douche.
1 gas gauge is for projected range translated in mi/km the other is for fuel level. I think it's kind of neat. My daily is a 2018 Mazda 6 Touring & I honestly wish I had that on my dash just because it is useful to have the car tell me what it thinks based on data it has compiled on my driving habits rather than having to guess myself. Having it right there rather than on another screen is convenient.
You're a great car reviewer! And Mazda 6 is on top of my shopping list.
Actually, it's not weird at all to have two "gas gauges" because one of them appears to be showing your range in miles as opposed to just showing the amount of gas left in the tank. Most modern cars have a way to display this information and it's in addition to the regular gas gauge. My question is how can you claim to be a car reviewer and expect any credibility when something this simple and obvious befuddles you? My other question is how did something like this make it through editing?
Jeff P exactly
Why does it matter if its only a 6 speed if it's performance and fuel economy nearly matches those who have more? Doesn't that show how well engineered this 6 speed is?
Michael, I like this, BUT not having a manual box with the turbo,..well that idea should be moved over to the " just plain weird " section.
IF the manual had turbo engine, then THAT would be a 'sporty' car indeed.
Otherwise this is another good video from TFLnow, Thanks Mike!
Reg Sparkes the auto gearbox paddle shifts are pretty good.
Thanks Gerard, but I'm one of those who likes using a clutch. I have an 'auto-manual' ( my terminology ) in my 2010 Mini Cooper, it's nice but not quite the same as a manual transmission, don't you think?
Reg Sparkes i completely understand. That's why i keep an MX5 for other purposes. For a daily though, it's a different story entirely. Stop and go traffic can wear down my kneecap to a nub. Lol.
Haha! I hear you, I once drove my manual shift/box ( and I did mean SHIFT/box) '06 Mustang on a road trip from far eastern Canada to Ohio and back,..it was on my way back that I fell 'out of love' with this "glorified F-150 " and when I got home I sold it and bought the Mini Cooper ,....so yes I enjoy the manual shift cars as toys, but daily driver has got to be an automatic.
Cheers !
Reg Sparkes good call on the Mini ;)
As I asked on a previous Mazda 6 Turbo video of yours, what octane were you using for the 0-60 test? Mazda has said you get different horse power depending on which you use, Regular or Premium. It might be a pain, but I would like to see a 0-60 test using both octane to see what, if any, performance difference you might get.
My Mazda6 has no turbo just tuned and I kick the ass for the Nissan GT-R .
Mine is on 0-60 on 4.8 seconds 👍😀
I don't understand why the American models have such bad fuel economy? In the UK, the Mazda 6 Sport 2.2 Turbo Diesel does 0-62 in around 7.6 seconds and around 67mpg.
The 2.0 petrol does 0-62 around 9 seconds at with about 47mpg.
UK gallons is 4.54 liters.....US gallon is 3.785 liters...so UK numbers always look better.
mazda put that engine in the miata
u mother pancit! Lollll if they did that it for sure would need AWD but definitely be interesting!
And the mazda3 hatch.
I doubt it would fit.
flying miata swapped a ls3 in this chassis, this motor will fit
200hp to the wheels from factory would be a good power bump
So far best editor from tfl car, video is straight to the point and using examples assures me you did research 👍🏼👍🏼
Turbos make me uneasy...something to break after the warranty ends..I just want a standard engine..
Which is why Mazda still offers non turbo engine, and only just introduced because everyone's being wanting one.
Turbo and exhaust section is 1K as complete unit. cheap compared to rivals and they dont fail that often.
Omg, every modern turbo car has a heat exchanger that removes the heat built up from the turbo compressing air.
The real reason why the engine has a moderately high compression ratio is that it has direct injection. Direct injection has far better cylinder cooling than port injection, and has allowed high compression ratios for the past 12+ years.
The real reason why the turbo isn't laggy, is due to it having a small turbo for its displacement and direct injection to allow it to run higher pressures without risk of knock and detonation.
You guys need to really stop saying the crap they tell you, like CNN reporting on "official" reports from the Pentagon, and start actually figuring out what's really going on. My journalism professor hated official sources. She called them the demise of the journalist and the rise of the professional spokesman.
I know these guys are jokes. They never look up any real info.
Firestarter you might want to do some research before you go running off your opinion because it’s clearly false. The Dynamic Pressure Turbo is most certainly a thing, it’s not some made up attraction for press attention. Your relation of high compression ratio and direct injection makes absolutely no sense because vehicles across the board have used DI for years on end now
Connecticut Dashcam look up the compression ratios of dit engines and you'll see that this motor is on par with tech from 10+ years ago.
Nothing I said was false, every modern turbo engine utilizes a heat exchanger to remove heat from the intake tract. And there are plenty of engines with cooled egr systems preturbo.
My comment on their journalistic integrity stands as valid. This isn't the first time they just stated a marketing line.
The only "unique" quality this turbo has is its variable turbo inlet.
BMW n54 was 10.2:1 subaru fa20dit 10.6:1 Audi 2.0tfsi 10.5:1
And that isn't scratching the surface. Try doing your own research for once.
Connecticut Dashcam reply #2
You do realize the gasoline engines have had torque figures similar to this right?
The dynamic pressure system is a gimmick. Like yamahas variable length intake runnera. Sounds good on paper, but lacks results in real world.
For instance, this engine has a torque advantage over a 2.0 subaru engine, but the subaru engine makes more hp. The Subaru engine utilizes a larger turbo.
The fact of the matter is they're using a small turbo on a relatively large engine. 250hp/300ft lbs 91oct 2.5L vs 268hp/258 ft lbs 91oct 2.0L. 25% more displacement yields only 16% more torque and 7% less hp.
The recipe is very small turbo, and a moderate compression ratio that necessitates direct injection to provide the cylinder cooling to run them.
Firestarter while most of your statements are correct, I’d like to point out, not every manufacturer has a heat exchanger for turbocharged applications. The Subaru Wrx 2.0 does not have one. And one fact tfl did not get correct is the real compression ratio on this engine which is 13.0 - 1.
The #1 bad for me is the lack of manual for the turbo.
Just test drove this Mazda 6 with the turbo motor. I can't say enough how much of a disappointment this powertrain is. Utterly disappointed. Turbo lag was horrible. The 6-spd auto is just not appropriate in this day and age. The Mazda's handling was better than the Accord's, but negligibly. The brakes on the 6 were also a very weak point. I test drove the Accord 2.0T Sport 10-spd auto two days prior and in almost every single aspect, it's a FAR superior car to the 6. The 6 does handle a bit better, and its exterior styling is much more attractive. The interior also feels premium. But the Accord seriously felt like it was on a whole other level. Driving the Accord Sport 2.0T in Sport mode was like driving my 435i Gran Coupe in comfort mode. The Accord's steering wheel also felt like a million bucks. The 6's steering wheel was so thin in comparison. And, frankly, the Accord does look great with the Sport model's darker chrome grille. Great job to Honda for having the ability to create such a tremendous sedan. If it means that the next Acura TLX will be that much better, then the TLX will be a class leader in short time.
"Is this a review of the car or [Mike]? The camera was focused on [Mike] the whole time!"
Just pointing out how silly some of the comments on yesterday's video were. Mike is great, as are Andre, Nathan, Tommy and Sarah too! Looking forward to more great videos.
I know what you're getting at, but there was more car in this one than yesterday's. Plus, Mike actually sounds like he's into the review.
No complaints focusing on Mike, precious!
Carcaine Mike looks good. He's the only reason I'm here
Mike is plump so he fills up the whole screen, Mazda has no chance.
This guy is a good presenter
He looks slovenly to me. Needs to stop smoking pot and eating too much.
I agree
Me likey the cup holders on the engine cover
The gas cap noise will fade away eventually. Because the vehicle is still brand new, it makes weird noises. I had the same issue with my brand new Jeep 2 years ago. I think it went away after 4 or 5 months after I purchased it.
Having 6 gears was brilliant of Mazda bc the Mazda6 achieves the same miles per gallon as the Camry and Accord while they’re having to use 8-10 gears on a brand new chastity, all the while Mazda is still using the previous generation for 2018 & doing just-as-well. Btw, the top trim 2018 Mazda6 Signature is less expensive than the top trim Accord 2.0 Touring and Camry XSE. Mazda Smart.. they were able to cut costs and still be the most luxurious!
I’m all for progression and new, but I like my 2014 Mazda 6 Touring rims a lot better, I feel like these new rims are more luxury while the bigger rims from 2014-2017 are sportier, but that’s just my opinion
Great review man! How much is the non fully loaded turbo?
I believe that's called an Intercooler! @0:45
Also, @0:55 to 1:40 it shouldn't be about varying pressure, they are using velocity of air to turn the turbine..in fact pressure is inversely proportional to velocity..so I guess you were speaking about velocity and not stressing about the pressure..
The only things I would change (or update) would be:
1. Android Auto and CarPlay
2. Option of AWD
3. The option of the Auburn leather interior color from the CX-9. (Personal preference)
4. Possibly a new 8-Speed (or so) Skyactiv Auto. Even though I know it probably doesn't need it.
All in all though, outstanding car as always with these new Mazdas.
AA and CP are coming within months :)
AWD would be awesome though, but supposedly the platform can't handle it space-wise?
The leather option on the Signature includes a Chestnut Brown. It IS a lot darker than the CX-9. I prefer the darker color myself but I understand personal preferences vary!
I know AA and CP are coming so that's good. I personally don't need AWD where I live (my current car is also just FWD) it's just nice to have especially with all that torque. From the videos I've seen so far, Chestnut Brown seems to look a little dingy and almost black in some cases. That being said, I haven't actually seen Chestnut Brown in person yet so I'll hold off judgement until then.
Ryan Littleton it photographs pretty badly, so you'll definitely need to check in person.
I will at some point. I'm a Honda guy, but these new Mazdas are seriously impressive. I would love to own one of these at some point.
Mike, for a about $1500 less than the Mazda, I bought a base Kia Stinger AWD, as attractive as the Mazda is, where I live all wheel drive is a much better option than FWD for winter driving. For all you Kia doubters, this is my second Kia, no matter how attractive the Stinger is, if my first Kia was junk, there wouldn’t be a second one. As far as looks, for me it’s a toss up, both the Mazda and the Kia are very good looking cars. Very nice test, interesting and to the point.
kia stingers in canada go for almost 52000 dollars a mazda 6 cost roughly about 42000
fahmid siddique, I’m not sure this applies to the Canadian market but I believe the Stinger you’re talking about is one of the GT models. Apparently, in Canada the base 4 cylinder turbo is not offered. I just checked Kia Canada, the base GT with AWD is $44195, the lowest trim Mazda 6 with the turbo is $35800, so you are partially correct, there is a difference between the Stinger AWD & the Mazda6 turbo, I bet if you went into a Kia dealer in Canada, the final price between the two cars would be much closer, Kia is offering aggressive deals in the US. Mazda certainly has a better name but if someone asked me 5 years ago if I would consider a Kia I would have laugh at them, this is my second Kia, the first was a Sportage SX turbo, So far I’m very happy with Kia.
I have nothing at all against turbos. Had one in my 2000 Jetta TDI, which admittedly was a unique animal. But with every single manufacturer bringing out out all these various turbocharged engines, there's no doubt that some are going to be duds. Let's face it, not every engineering team is going to hit a home run. I wonder what that will do to the reputation of turbocharged engines in general going forward as a technology to be relied on, not just by enthusiasts, but by the entire motoring public of millions of drivers.
The wierd things were ridiculous, as this guy was.
Thank you Mazda to make this great vehicle.
I would be greatful if you would take it to Europe too.
You forgot to talk about the weirdly assembled fog lamps being integrated into the front headlights!
And I think the digital gas-gauge is to show miles-to-empty. And yeah.. didn’t agree with the tin cup gas door pop! lol
While I would welcome the extra power, I am getting a combined 28-30 mpg (mostly city) on my '17 Mazda 6 GT with the 6speed manual. This average has been over the last 3 months and 4500km including winter driving in Canada.
But damn the styling refresh is sweet
Did I just hear $36,000? Big jump from the last Model. Of course you get a lot more options and upgrades but $36,000? That's about a $550 payment with 5,000 down over 60 months with no negotiated price. Holy smokes! It's at the Lexus, Mercedes, BMW level now.
You can get the turbo on the Mazda 6 for about 30k before discounts...the 36,000 model is the top trim.
Real world reviews at a mile above sea level
Apple Car Play and Android Auto are coming a bit later this year. Also available for retrospective install on older models.
Such a beautiful car
Is the digital gas not really a gas gauge but a distance meter (distance before empty)
The gas cap is a gong. Lol. About Mazda's infotainment system, I understand it does feel weird but its actually easy to navigate. Idk im technology nerd so i find it easy for me than others. 2nd note, Apple Car Play & Android Auto were planned to get retro-fitted later in 2018, so more like a half-bad / half- good. The transmission not having 8 speeds which is a disappointment, and i find the mileage for the car a little lacking. (Factory turbo's always get worse mileage than after-market).
This is pretty quick. I’d like to do a drag race with my MX-5. I’m curious to see how the G-vectoring affects the handling.
This car does not have two gas gauges. One gauge shows the range until empty while the other is the amount of fuel in the tank. I really like the look of the car I'm just not a fan of the infotainment screen popping out of the dash. I would rather the screen integrated into the center console. I've had a 2014 CX-9 since new and love the build quality and high end interior. I've had zero problems with it. With Mazda's good quality and great looking cars it is just a matter of time before they become a major player in the auto industry. This Mazda 6 with the turbo is a step in the right direction to become mainstream.
I have a blk ‘16 GT and I love it. For Me personally It just isn’t enough for Me to get excited out of my chair and trade mine for the ‘18. Im totally happy with waiting 5yrs or so and see what Mazda does with more major overall overhaul. I say 5yrs because I feel they will just make little changes in the next few yrs going with the ‘18 platform. Id rather wait for a much more wow factor a the few yrs down the line. Mazdaspeed 6??...It also will be more sweeter to go from a ‘16 gt to a lets say ‘23 refresh with a Major!! difference to a ‘16. ‘18 is not enough to switch for Me. BUT If you want a Mazda and don’t have one THIS would be great for You!
I have this car and the gas cap doesn't make that sound and the backup camera isn't amazing but doesn't look as bad as it does in this video
The Mazda 6's we have here in Florida the back up camera does not flicker like that. You may need the update on the infotainment system on the car you tested.
sjgavenger37 It doesn’t really flicker, only because it’s being recorded it appears to Flickr .
Joshua Rutter
Actually we have seen the camera screen do that and after we update the infotainment system it stops. I do know many of the 2018's had an update we had to do during the PDI process. I am not saying that is the issue but that is the most common issue.
Do Mazda's Skyactive engines have direct- and port injection or just direct injection?
Nice power numbers!
Great review, Mike! And I totally agree about that infotainment system. They could do a lot better.
Would you try the 2.5 N/A engine?
I mean the fully loaded car is only available with 2.5 turbo?
Who made that smooth beat for you guys?
Best looking car in segment. Also probably the best car in it's segment full stop
5:53 that just made my day lmao
The gears are still really long
And that’s why it’s not gonna be faster than the competition because it shifts too slowly even with all that new torque. Still glad to see them give it more power.
Without carplay/Android I'd expect at least 1k discount since I gotta go put a real deck in it after 1 day of ownership.
I think the digital "gas gage" displays your milage range. Still kind of odd that they chose to display it that way where it looks nearly identical to the actual analog gas gage that displays fuel levels.
It's crazy how most of you complain about the power of Mazda 6 engines and don't take into account real (not written) fuel economy and engine reliability. With this new turbo engine it's still unproven, but the naturally aspirated Mazda engines were absolutely and by far the most reliable compared to any other available similarly powered engine (basically most other had turbos and lower displacement = higher heat stress) - at least I can speak about Japan-made Mazdas and market of central Europe. The engines do regularly about 150k miles without any (!) service problem, and I have friends in many car dealerships and repair shops... so they tell me. Real-world fuel economy was also amazing compared to most competitors... on my 2.0l 165hp 6 used for daily commuting 100 miles (20 % windy road, 40 % freeway, 40 % large city with traffic jams) I get long-term average of 38mpg, despite we can drive fast here in Europe, i.e. freeway = 85+ mph. The friends with current non-turbocharged 2.5 A/T engine are worse-off, but not by much, from what they tell me they get about 31mpg in similar scenario... The auto transmission is about smoothest from all similarly priced competitors, way better than VW Passat for example; and it certainly doesn't lack gears, they're good for better fuel economy, but make driving often little less comfortable (you can still feel gear changes in most dual-clutch auto-trans), and Mazda can do magic without it. So if the improved turbocharged engine is little bit de-tuned to be more reliable than competitors, as was always Mazda's way, then it will be great. Time will tell. I'd always rather go fraction slower - where on the real roads I can feel the difference of 1s on 0-60? - with better mpg and reliability... Your mileage may vary.
Do you drive an auto 2.0 ? wich year?
is the 2.5 similar in fuel economy ?
Our '15 6 does not make the same fuel door sound. I wonder what's up with this one. Looks the same.
What do you think the 0-60 would be at sea level? I feel like it would be like 5 seconds.
6.4
Nathans son looks nothing like him, but he has the same sense of humor
Complete info , thanks
How much does the altitude around Denver slow down a car on average?
Mpg loop numbers please
LMAO!!! the sound of the gas tank opening!!! that is some sucker shit right there!! LOL!!!
Out of balance review. Skipping or fast forward thru 95% of good and great and overblowing the 5% of bad or needing tweaks....
Entertainment system and control knob is the best in class after adding Android auto that you did not have in early release car. After getting use to the knob it is the most intuitive and luxury car feature . it takes few months to adjust to and it will keep your LCD screen smeary grease free :) Sorry Camcord owners.
With this much torque there is no need for extra gears ,could it help maybe but knowing how unique this skyactiv automatic is with its torque converter off for 80% of the time for very direct feel and its 6 gear as high as other conventional automatics 8 gear . Valid point about backing camera resolution too low , just remember that it is not for observing the details and beauty behind the car when backing up but for safety and practicality so i can leave with it as is. Gas cap sound oh please 😰
Sounds like another Honda symphatizer's review of this superior Mazda 6.
Mike did a great job on this review.
I hope Mazda will thrive and become a bigger company so that they can make the car many enthusiasts want. Come on 8 or 10 gear shifts are normal these days so is the apple car play. Mazda is like an outstanding student who desperately needs scholarships
Elon Y. Kim
Why people keep complaining about less gears? 6sp works perfectly fine. Why fix what's not broken? More gears, more moving parts translate into higher maintenance, not to mention gear hunting and slow to down shift etc.
Elon Y. Kim carplay and android auto are coming in July. Older buyers can update for free
If a six speed works, why upgrade? Like the old saying goes, don't fix it if it ain't broken.
mazda 6 speeds is better than honda cvt anyway
Really wide TQ curve can get by with fewer gears. And the 6 is reliable.
I want to know if this car has a limited slip diff
Really wish they would make a AWD of this. I would then definitely buy this car!
Wish they had that engine for the mazda 3 sport I jusy got mine with the 2.5
This is the first time I have watched one of your videos. The information was good the delivery, was less so. It seems like you were talking a lot faster than your natural speech pattern - I imagine if you slowed down just a little bit you wouldn't stumble over your words as often making the information you are putting out easier to digest. Overall I liked the straight to the point...fairly short style of your review.
No mention of road noise. The Mazda6 was the loudest sedan I test drove.
I test drove the 6 Signature against the Accord 2.0T Touring and it had less road noise than the Honda. It is significantly better than my 3 GT from 2014.
The 2018 mazda 6 is the quietest car of the segment.
That’s funny you say that because with actual experimental test data, it is one of the quietest in the class. Matching the interior noise of the Tesla model X, as a matter of fact
It does have apple car play and android auto
Butterfly valve adjusts velocity of exhaust not Air
I think the digital gas gauge is to tell you your range.
Wow, it's dissapointing that they won't/can't use the manual with the forced induction engine. Perhaps the torque figures are too high to ensure longevity?
Phil Atkins nah. Probably no one bought the manual in top trim.
Gerard Joaquino no one buys them, & especially not in the top trims.
It's usually the other way around. Usually manuals can take way more torque.
Ryan McFarland probably in DCT form that may be true due to gearing ratios but not in torque converters unless the gear ratios are adjusted to accomodate for better torque figures.
cause no one buying in the market
Dope presenter! Cool to see new faces!
Does the 2.5T have engine deactivation?
No it does not. Thank goodness.
It’s faster than the Camry but accord will do 0-60 under 7 sec!
Brian Vtec this turbo 6 will do 60 well south of 7 seconds down here at sea level, possibly slightly below 6 seconds. My speed6 supposedly does 0-60 in 6 flat yet we regularly can hit 60 in low 5 to high 4 ranges stock and run mid 13 1/4’s even though most magazines low claim 14’s...
Driveitsideways 1 are the times accurate though?
UnseenSpirit due to my and many others experiences, yes. You can check the forums for actual slips and proof. Stock speeds have ran 13.4’s, which is Focus RS levels lol
Ogee, that gas cap noise is so annoying. I have nothing better to do all day but to listen to a gas cap opening noise.
Skyactiv transmission is great. Watch a video about its development.
They ought to put this engine in a Miata.
After being a Mazda owner, I just bought a Honda over a Mazda in order to have a moonroof and manual trans in the same car. Only Honda and Subaru offer manual trans and moonroof. I wish there were a movement to teach kids to drive manuals, else the companies will do away with the manuals soon, which would really suck.
Exactly, Peter... Although I have not owned a Mazda (ever in my lifetime) I have owned Vettes, Camaros, Mustangs, Ford Focus ST, Honda Si, and Honda S2000's (we car hop alot) and have loved all of them for the fun they all delivered being manuals. I presently have the 17 Honda Civic Si for that reason! Sunroof/manual.... I love the looks of the Mazda 6 GT trim but I am hesitant to go get it based on lack of manual trans. I understand you can get MT in the sport trim- but it's without the goodies on the GT and up trims = ALOT of the nicer features - Spoiled just a little.
Great job Mike!
Just a general comment. I continue to be perplexed as to why reviewers talk about "fewer" gears in an auto transmission being a drawback. What's the concern? Are you really concerned with the actual number of gears? Who cares about the number of gears? How does the car perform? How efficient is it on fuel consumption? What's the driving experience like? Ten gears? Six gears? Who cares? If the engineers were able to achieve the best results with a six speeds rather than a ten, nobody should care. If you could give me a car with 2 gears that is better performing, more efficient, and provides a superior driving experience, I'll take it! Yes, the number of gears can influence this... but I would say the relationship is elastic. Many times more gears helps. But not always. Focus on the end results.
Android Auto and Apple Carplay will come as an update this year
Mazda DOES NOT need more that 6 speed gearbox, even the new skyactiv-X does not need more than 6 gears
There are NO Mazda dealers that are near us in Charlotte
How the turbo sound?? Does the exhaust sound farting?? Like euro turbo car?
Honda accord is a CVT and touring comes with a nine speed
Always leave Traction Control ON for 0-60 runs.