The Refreshed Mazda6 is Revealed With a Turbo Motor, Some Cool Tech, and a More Upscale Vibe

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November 30, 2017

A couple of weeks back, Mazda revealed that it would be tweaking its flagship Mazda6 sedan with updates to the engine and other bits. At the ongoing Los Angeles Auto Show, the Hiroshima-based carmaker finally removes the covers off the refreshed 2018 Mazda6.

While it retains the overall profile that has, quite frankly, aged well, there are subtle changes that make the Kodo Soul of Motion look a bit more premium. There is now a new Soul  Red Crystal paint finish available, adding a touch of luster to the already deep red color palette.

The big news for this midsize sedan, however, can be found in the cabin. The dash has been revised with a new stretched look. One cool touch is the use of upscale materials like Sen Wood, Nappa leather, and UltraSuede. These three combine to give the car a truly premium feel—minus the premium price.

There is also a new 8-inch touchscreen, ventilated seats, a 360-degree view monitor, and full radar cruise control. Higher-spec models can even come with a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster display.

Apart from the cabin, the other big update is the new Skyactiv G 2.5T turbo four-cylinder motor. The engine, which first saw duty in the top-end CX-9 three-row SUV, puts out 250hp and 420Nm. It promises to provide instantaneous response and outstanding fuel economy throughout the rev range.

A cool piece of kit that this lump boasts of is cylinder deactivation. This essentially turns the four-pot into a two-banger at steady cruising speeds. When time comes to step on the accelerator, however, the engine will instantly switch back to four-cylinder mode.

And yes, Mazda engineers just couldn’t resist tweaking the chassis, giving it more rigidity and making the car more nimble. They also promise more ride comfort when the driver isn’t in the mood to play.

The updated Mazda6 will go on sale in the second quarter of 2018.

About the Author

Mr. Gerard Jude Castillo
Gerard has been a self-confessed car nut ever since he was a little boy. As a grown-up, he indulges in his passion by collecting toy cars (which he started since childhood) and reading up on the latest cars out there.  As Associate Editor, he will ensure that you get your fill of the latest cars in the market, as well as a load of automotive features.