In the 600-foot slalom, a 63. Who gets the pass for the last shot? The general consensus here is that, although the Nissan Altima is obviously the fastest, largest, and most expensive, it isn't particularly fun or predictable. The all-wheel-drive system uses Mazda's Active Torque Split computer-based control, which routes up to 100% of the power to the front or rear wheels depending on driving conditions. Moreover, the steering gets especially light when weight is transferred either side-to-side or rearward. The new guy from Mazda is good on his feet, quick, and does almost everything well. Less-aggressive tires and more sound-deadening material would have helped the problem. Discovering the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 horsepower is a good start to figuring out the real power hiding under the hood of the vehicle.
As for the zoom-zoom fun part, it is indeed a trip. Mazda is not alone in pulling their wagon variants from the North American market, as , , , and have removed at least some or all of their wagon models from their North American lineup — the currently-sold 2016 is an exception to the drought of import station wagon availability in North America. As with the pre-facelift model, the facelifted Mazda6 continues to be produced at 's assembly plant in ,. We've seen better leather on much less-expensive vehicles, and the shift boot detached from its surround on the first day of testing as it had on our '02 long-term-tester. The trunk is impeccably finished, with a full-size spare and brushed-stainless-steel gas strut to boot.
In this full-court showdown, the wide-open Mazda 6 wins the game. Even the ubiquitous rear-deck spoiler is well-integrated and appears more than an aftermarket afterthought. The Mazda6 sold more than one million units faster than all previous Mazdas. Carving through cherry pickers in traffic is child's play in the Altima. All of us liked the feel of the steering wheel and its easy-to-use radio and cruise-control buttons.
The Mazda draws plenty of attention from fellow commuters, too. This way, you still get all the utility of a four-door commuter sedan, only in a more edgy, performance-minded package. The manual transmission was discontinued for the 2019 model year, however Mazda has hinted that it might be available as a special-order option in the future. The moderate-effort clutch engagement is easily predictable, and, combined with the five-speed transmission, the driveline is flexible enough to cruise comfortably around town or to hustle through your favorite canyon pass. With this much power just a toe-tap away, there are few, if any, commuters who are prepared for this car's fast-break.
It features a version of the 2. Plus, the knobs protrude very little and are nearly impossible to grasp with gloves on. The engine is already available on both the Asian and European models of the third generation Mazda6. The Hail Mary When you're down by three with the game on the line, it's time to make a tough call: Who's the Clutch Player? And, while many manufacturers have felt it necessary to reinvent the operation of simple tasks, such as adjusting the climate controls or radio, Mazda wisely left our ingrained thought processes intact and simply styled not redesigned the functionality of the interior. Originally scheduled to be launched in June 2005, the Mazdaspeed Atenza was delayed until November.
Even the ubiquitous rear-deck spoiler is well-integrated and appears more than an aftermarket afterthought. Mazda's in , Japan produced the Mazda6 for international markets from February 2002 to August 2007. All three clutch players in our test represent the value end of the sport-sedan segment. When we arrived at the test track, we already knew the '03 Altima's 245 horsepower would be tough to match, but there really wasn't much of a contest. However, in the Altima, responses to driver input are over-boosted and lack feedback. It was initially unveiled as a concept at the 2002 Paris show. All three clutch players in our test represent the value end of the sport-sedan segment.
© Provided by MotorTrend MotorTend Image 2003 Mazda 6s Replacing both the Millenia and 626 sedans in Mazda's '03 lineup, the 6 is a clean-sheet design inside and out. © Provided by MotorTrend MotorTend Image Extrapolating this feeling to include spirited passes through the mountains would be correct. There are also plenty of places to stow cell-phones, maps, snacks, and drinks. To view table with complete performance data and technical specifications including final drive and gear ratios, powertrain description, dimensions, accelerations chart etc. All the buttons, wheels, and knobs are damped and complement that oh-so-German black-rubber dash pad and the fold-flat ventilation outlets. Reproduction of part or all of the contents of this web-site in any form is prohibited and may not be recopied and shared with a third party. However, it's important to note that 0 to 60 times vary greatly, and depending on the source the information may vary.
You've seen the other two before--how could you miss them? We had a suspicion the Mazda 6 would be up to the task at the test track—and it was. If that weren't enough, its quarter-mile time 14. Here's the bottom line: The Mazda 6 s turned out to be a popular car with the staff of Car and Driver. The Altima is drop-dead gorgeous, roomy and powerful, but suffers from a harsh ride, notchy shifter, and plasticky interior bits. With its monochromatic body paint, wingless trunklid, and the only hint of chrome found on the front and rear badging, the Jetta says more with less. Over 148,000 Nissan Altimas and 145,000 Volkswagen Jettas were sold last year. A Mazdaspeed 6 variant was not offered.
It feels as if the car has been overinflated beyond its natural size and capabilities. We just barely noticed the variable-valve timing and negligible torque steer kicking in somewhere in the upper-rev range when the quarter mile flew past in 15. Early reviews have been favorable. Some maddening pitches sing out, depending on the mix of pavement to the tires on the highway. As it stands, we still feel like we provide some of the most accurate zero to 60 mph test results available today, and we pride ourselves on being able to provide you with the 0 to 60 mph and quarter mile speed data that you are looking for. Motor Trend recorded a 0—60 mph acceleration time of 6.