“If you are looking for a fun quality well made vehicle I would recommend looking at a Mazda 6”
Mazda MAZDA6: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Mazda Mazda6 is a five-seat midsize sedan known for distinctive styling, an upscale-feeling cabin, and sharper road manners than many everyday family sedans.
The Mazda6 has long mixed practical sedan comfort with a more engaging feel behind the wheel. Its 2009 redesign made it larger and roomier, while the 2014 generation shifted toward lighter, more efficient engineering and a more upscale look. Later updates focused on a quieter cabin, added safety technology, and stronger turbo performance in higher trims without changing its everyday-sedan purpose.
Strengths
- It feels sharper and more responsive on the road than many everyday family sedans.
- The cabin became quieter and more polished through repeated updates, especially with the major 2018 refresh.
- Its distinctive exterior design helps it stand apart without sacrificing sedan practicality.
- Later examples offer useful driver aids, with a broad safety suite standard across every trim from 2019.
- The back seat has useful adult space, with 38.7 inches of rear legroom in 2021.
- Gas mileage remained reasonable for a midsize sedan, reaching 35 mpg on the highway in some 2021 versions.
Who it's for
The Mazda6 suits commuters and small families who want the comfort and usefulness of a mainstream sedan but do not want it to feel bland. It is especially appealing to someone who values style, a polished cabin, and enjoyable handling more than an SUV driving position or all-wheel drive.
Mazda MAZDA6 lineup
Sport is the straightforward entry trim, while Touring is the step up for shoppers seeking more convenience. Grand Touring is the more performance-focused choice, with turbo power defining it from the 2018 refresh onward. Grand Touring Reserve and Signature also arrived with that refresh to push the Mazda6 further upscale, with Signature serving as the top-end expression. The Carbon Edition was a 2021 special edition distinguished mainly by its exterior and cabin styling.
Mazda MAZDA6 generations
From 2009 to 2021, the MAZDA6 spans two generations. The current 3rd Generation — GJ arrived for 2014, following the 2nd Generation (2009–2013).
3rd Generation — GJ (2014–2021)
This generation moved to Mazda’s lighter SKYACTIV platform with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and sharper KODO styling. Cabin refinement improved through the 2016 and 2018 updates, and upper trims gained a turbo engine for 2018.
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2021Trim changes
The Carbon Edition joins the lineup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto become standard on every trim, and this is the final U.S. model year.
2020
A quiet carryover year with the same five trims, engines, and standard driver-assistance features.
2019
The full driver-assistance safety suite and G-Vectoring Control Plus become standard across the lineup.
2018Mid-cycle update
A major refresh brings revised front styling, a quieter cabin, redesigned seats, retuned handling, and a standard 8-inch touchscreen. Upper trims gain a turbo engine.
2017Trim changes
G-Vectoring Control becomes standard, and added insulation makes the cabin quieter. A midyear equipment repackage creates some differences among 2017 models.
2016Mid-cycle update
The refreshed Mazda6 gets a redesigned dashboard and center console, updated exterior details, improved cabin comfort, and an electronic parking brake.
2015
All trims gain one-touch power windows for all four doors and illuminated window switches.
2014New generation
The redesigned Mazda6 moves to the SKYACTIV platform with new styling and a 184-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
2nd Generation (2009–2013)
The second-generation U.S. Mazda6 became a larger, sedan-only model. It introduced new 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.7-liter V6 engines, along with standard stability and traction control.
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2013Trim changes
The s Touring Plus leaves the lineup, making s Grand Touring the only V6 trim. Two four-cylinder trims gain standard 18-inch wheels.
2012
Carryover year with no significant model, powertrain, package, or safety updates.
2011Mid-cycle update
A light refresh brings revised front lighting, interior updates, and better fuel economy. The SV trim and manual i Touring leave the lineup.
2010Trim changes
New i Touring Plus and s Touring Plus trims join the lineup, while the previous V6 Sport and Touring trims leave.
2009New generation
The redesigned Mazda6 becomes larger and sedan-only, with new four-cylinder and V6 engines.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Mazda MAZDA6.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda6 more sporty or comfort-focused?
It balances both, with a slight lean toward sporty. The Mazda6 is known for sharper steering and a more responsive feel than a typical family sedan, while its comfortable ride and upscale-looking cabin still suit commuting and longer trips.
Does the Mazda6 come in a body style other than a sedan?
No. The U.S.-market Mazda6 years covered here are four-door sedans. The latest version seats five and has a separate 14.7-cubic-foot trunk rather than a hatchback-style cargo area.
Does the Mazda6 come as a hybrid?
No. U.S.-market Mazda6 models in this span use gasoline engines. The second generation had four-cylinder and V6 versions, while the third generation used four-cylinder engines and added a turbo to higher trims in 2018.
Does the Mazda6 have all-wheel drive?
No. The U.S.-market Mazda6 is front-wheel drive. That applies to the later lineup as well as the older four-cylinder and V6 versions covered here.
Is the Mazda6 practical enough for a family?
Yes, if a five-seat sedan fits your needs. The latest Mazda6 has 38.7 inches of rear legroom and a 14.7-cubic-foot trunk, giving it useful passenger and cargo space for commuting, school runs, and road trips.
How do the second- and third-generation Mazda6 differ?
The 2009–2013 second generation is a larger sedan with four-cylinder and V6 versions. The 2014–2021 third generation is lighter, more efficient, and more upscale inside. It uses four-cylinder engines, with a turbo added to upper trims from 2018.
Was the Mazda6 discontinued in the U.S.?
Yes. The 2021 Mazda6 was the final model year sold in the U.S. It remained part of the third generation that began with the 2014 redesign rather than receiving one last full redesign.
Which Mazda6 models have the turbo engine?
On 2018–2021 cars, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Carbon Edition, and Signature use the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. Sport and Touring use the non-turbo 2.5-liter engine. The Carbon Edition exists only for 2021.
Mazda MAZDA6 Reviews
What owners are saying about the Mazda MAZDA6.
4.3
Mazda MAZDA6
(1,375 reviews)
“The Mazda 6 is a great looking vehicle as well as its performance. I researched the safety of cars and it came out on top. The look of the car is sleek and drives at top performance.”
“The Mazda 6 is a fantastic vehicle. Sleek, stylish, and utterly dependable. It offers a great value of technology and features for a reasonable price.”
“A car that is fun to drive, is reliable, low maintenance, and is a good value with extra safety features”
“It's a good and reliable car just not what I wanted really in the end… good for road trips though”
“I am very pleased with my Mazda6. The vehicle handles very well for its class which is the main reason I bought it. The exterior styling also was a big factor in my buying decision.”
Sources
- news.mazdausa.com — Vehicles 2021 Mazda6
- news.mazdausa.com — 2021 Mazda6 Spec Deck
- mazdausa.com — 2021 / Mazda6 / 2021 Mazda6 Brochure
- news.mazdausa.com — Vehicles 2020 Mazda6
- news.mazdausa.com — 2021 05 21 Statement on Mazda6 and CX 3
- news.mazdausa.com — 2020 08 13 Introducing New Carbon Edition For Select Mazda Vehicles
- news.mazdausa.com — 2018 03 15 2018 Mazda6
- news.mazdausa.com — 2019 04 04 2019 Mazda6 Brings Safety To The Forefront
- news.mazdausa.com — 2019 10 25 2020 Mazda6 Superb Driving Dynamics Balanced With Sophisticated Styling
- mazdausa.com — 2020 / Mazda6 / 2020 Mazda6 Features Specs
- news.mazdausa.com — 2020 09 01 2021 Mazda6 Standing Out From Its Class
- mazdausa.com — 2019 / Mzd6 / 2019 Mazda6 Brochure