“Bad music control and info center, no drivers armrest. visibility not that great, especially out the rear window. Sport mode just changes shift points of transmission.”
2018 Mazda MAZDA6: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 MAZDA6 gets a major mid-cycle refresh, not a full redesign. The biggest change is a quieter, more upscale cabin paired with a new turbocharged engine in Grand Touring and the two new upper trims.
About the 2018 Mazda MAZDA6
3rd generation Mazda6 (2014-2021 U.S.); 2018 is the major mid-cycle refresh year.
Mazda positions the Mazda6 as the midsize sedan for drivers who want more style and involvement than the usual family-car formula. The brand leans on sharp handling, a quieter cabin, and more upscale craftsmanship, describing the car as part of its move toward a “Mazda Premium” experience. In plain terms, the Mazda6 is meant to feel more special and more driver-centered than mainstream rivals while still working as an everyday family sedan.
Sport is the straightforward entry trim with an 8-inch touchscreen and low-speed automatic emergency braking, while Touring adds heated seats, a moonroof, and a broader driver-assist package. Grand Touring is the performance step-up, pairing the turbocharged engine with navigation and Bose audio. Grand Touring Reserve adds comfort features such as ventilated front seats and a head-up display, while Signature tops the range with Nappa leather, wood trim, a 360-degree camera, and parking sensors.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
Grand Touring gains a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The same turbo engine powers the new Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims.
Styling
The front-end lighting and wheel designs are revised. LED headlights and LED rear lighting become standard throughout the lineup, fog lights become standard on Sport and Touring, and the Grand Touring rear spoiler changes from standard to optional.
Safety
Low-speed automatic emergency braking becomes standard on every trim. Touring also gains a broader standard driver-assist package with full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and more advanced automatic emergency braking.
Tech
An 8-inch touchscreen becomes standard across the lineup. Touring gains standard rear-seat USB charging, while the new Signature trim adds a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and a 7-inch digital gauge display.
Structural
Mazda retunes the body and chassis, adds more sound insulation, and redesigns the seats to improve ride comfort and reduce cabin noise.
2018 Mazda MAZDA6 specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, 2.5L | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, 2.5L | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, Turbo, 2.5L | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, Turbo, 2.5L | 4-Cyl, SKYACTIV-G, Turbo, 2.5L |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd Spt Manual | Auto, 6-Spd Spt Manual | Auto, 6-Spd Spt Manual | Auto, 6-Spd Spt Manual | Auto, 6-Spd Spt Manual |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 24 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 35 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 187 hp | 227 hp | 227 hp | 227 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 186 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 14.7 cu-ft | 14.7 cu-ft | 14.7 cu-ft | 14.7 cu-ft | 14.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.7 in | 38.7 in | 38.7 in | 38.7 in | 38.7 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 MAZDA6 a full redesign?
No. The 2018 MAZDA6 is a major mid-cycle refresh of the third-generation sedan, with a retuned chassis, more sound insulation, redesigned seats, updated lighting and wheels, and more upscale equipment.
Which 2018 MAZDA6 trims have the turbo engine?
Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature have the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Sport and Touring retain the non-turbo 2.5-liter engine.
What new trims joined the 2018 MAZDA6 lineup?
Grand Touring Reserve and Signature are new for 2018. Grand Touring Reserve focuses on comfort features such as ventilated front seats and a head-up display, while Signature adds richer materials, a 360-degree camera, and parking sensors.
Does every 2018 MAZDA6 have automatic emergency braking?
Yes. Every 2018 MAZDA6 has low-speed automatic emergency braking. Touring and higher trims add a wider driver-assist package, including more advanced automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.
Is the 2018 MAZDA6 meaningfully different from the 2017 model?
Yes. The 2018 model brings a substantial refresh with a quieter cabin, revised seats and chassis tuning, updated styling, a standard 8-inch touchscreen, standard low-speed automatic emergency braking, two new upscale trims, and a turbo engine for Grand Touring and above.
2018 Mazda MAZDA6 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Mazda MAZDA6.
4.2
2018 Mazda MAZDA6
(156 reviews)
“Nice car overall. seems to have problems with the signature model. gas mileage is poor.”
“Best mid-size sedan for overall value, styling and driving dynamics. Infotainment could be improved.”
Sources
- news.mazdausa.com — 2018 03 15 2018 Mazda6 Premium Performance Design Heighten Appeal
- news.mazdausa.com — 2018 Mazda6 Press Kit Version 3
- mazdausa.com — 2018 / Mzd6 / 2018 Mazda6 Brochure
- news.mazdausa.com — 2017 10 02 2017 5 Mazda6 Sedan Adds Available Leather Core Mazdas Midsize Mix
- news.mazdausa.com — 2019 04 04 2019 Mazda6 Brings Safety To The Forefront