MPG-o-Matic Mazda6 s Grand Touring Review Summary: The Mazda6 s Grand Touring provides a boldly-styled sporting alternative to the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima. With a willing 3.7-liter V6 engine, responsive six-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel-independent suspension, the Mazda6 s Grand Touring delivers the Zoom Zoom in a sufficiently roomy four-door sedan.
The front-wheel-drive 2010 Mazda6 is available in two versions, i and s, with a slew of trim levels. The i models are equipped with a 2.5-liter inline four cylinder engine, while the s models are equipped with a 3.7-liter V6. Both engines are equipped with variable valve timing (VVT). The i models’ four banger produces 170 horsepower (HP) and 167 foot-pounds of torque. The s models’ V6 delivers a considerable leap in performance, with 272 HP and 269 foot pounds of torque.
The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the V6 equipped Mazda6 s Grand Touring are 17 city / 25 highway miles per gallon (MPG). The Mazda 6 i models are rated at 20 city / 29 highway with the six-speed manual transmission and 21 / 30 with the five-speed automatic. The V6 s models are fitted exclusively with a six-speed sport automatic transmission with manual shift mode.
We logged over six hundred miles on the odometer of our top-of-the-line V6-equipped Brilliant Silver Metallic Mazda6 s Grand Touring review unit and breezed past the official mileage estimates with an average of 28.9 MPG on the Interstate highway and 23 MPG combined.
Overall test period temperatures ranged from the mid forties through the mid seventies. Interstate highway testing temperatures were in the low sixty degree range. The test vehicle was delivered with just under 2200 miles on the odometer.
Interstate Mileage Testing:
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 28.1 MPG
Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 29.7 MPG
No question about it, the Mazda6 s Grand Touring’s styling makes a bold statement … but the willing V6, sport automatic, and four-wheel independent suspension can back it up.
Hustle this one down your favorite twisty road, and it’s bound to bring a smile to your face. Drive it conscientiously, and it’ll be kind to your wallet. Driving smart isn’t necessarily about driving slow and the Mazda6 s Grand Touring is capable of carrying its share of velocity through the corners.
The Mazda6 provides a center-mounted real-time fuel economy display. We always recommend driving with the real-time fuel-economy gauge active, to help develop a light-footed driving technique in the quest to achieve better gas mileage.
In addition to the real-time fuel economy display, the Mazda6’s center-mounted LCD screen displays average fuel economy and miles ‘til empty.
When driven conservatively, there’s plenty of range. All 2010 Mazda6 models are equipped with 18.5 gallon gas tanks, and are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel. (No need to sweat that expensive premium pump.)
The Mazda6’s is driver-focused and passenger friendly. Leather trimmed seats with heated front buckets and an 8-way power driver’s seat and adjustable lumbar support are standard in the Grand Touring models, as is dual-zone automatic climate control with a pollen filter.
While the Grand Touring model’s ten-speaker Sirius Satellite-equipped Bose audio system provides an auxiliary audio input, it does not provide USB input. There is a six CD changer. Steering wheel controls and hands-free Bluetooth are standard. The audio system has the ability to play music wirelessly via a Bluetooth-compatible music device. There are two 12-volt outlets: one at the base of the dash and one in the center console.
Our test unit was equipped with voice-activated DVD Navigation and the Technology option package, which includes advanced keyless entry, drivers seat memory, automatic Xenon HID headlamps, and a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, among other features.
The Mazda6 provides a reasonable amount of rear seat leg and headroom. The trunk offers 16.6 cubic feet of space and the 60/40 split rear seat folds forward, providing plenty of space for hauling cargo.
All-in-all, the 2010 Mazda6 s Grand Touring delivers on the promise, with a sporting four-door that’s a joy to cruise through town or hustle through the twisties. When driven conscientiously, drivers are rewarded with inspired performance and reasonable fuel-efficiency.
– by Daniel Gray