Family values: the Mazda6 Sports Wagon

MAZDA’S elegant family cruiser displays athletic flair.

In the midsize executive car segment, Japan’s top three brands—Toyota, Nissan and Honda—have all fielded V6 models aside from the requisite 2.5-liter, four-cylinder model.

Not so for Mazda Motor Corp., which chose to enter the fray with only a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder Mazda6 versus the 3.5-liter and 2.5-liter Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Honda Accord models.

On top of that, Mazda had the moxie to add a sports wagon to its Mazda6 lineup.

Such gumption reflects the amount of confidence that upstart Mazda has in its SkyActiv technology and engines.

Sure, a naturally aspirated four-banger cannot outrun a V6, or a turbocharged 2.0 for that matter, but whoever said that racing is the first priority of a family cruiser like a wagon?

Family values

It’s all about family values like spacious passenger and cargo room, riding comfort, fuel efficiency, cutting-edge infotainment and connectivity, a five-star safety rating, and a competitive retail price.

The 2016 Mazda6 Sports Wagon has got it all.

SINEWY lines and muscular fenders distinguish the Kodo-Soul of Motion design language.

And to further reward the family man who would be the daily driver, the Sports Wagon, like its sedan sibling, offers extremely fun driving dynamics and remarkably spirited performance that outshine its 2.5-liter rivals.

The Mazda6 Sports Wagon looks the part, too, due to its Kodo—Soul of Motion design, hawk-eyed LED headlights, sinewy lines, muscular fenders, 19-inch gun metallic alloy wheels, and sleek, athletic flair.

Among all the contenders in the midsize segment, the Mazda6 is the most subtly assertive-looking, yet retains its toned elegance and impressive poise.

The SkyActiv-G 2.5 DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder direct injection engine, which also propels the sedan, delivers 185.35 horsepower and 250 Newton-meters max torque.

A REAR spoiler, LED combination taillights and dual tailpipes are standard equipment.

Quicker

The powertrain is quicker and more responsive than most four-cylinder rivals and meets most expectations, especially when you switch on to Sport mode in highway driving.

The engine is mated to Mazda’s SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission which shifts crisply and quickly, with the electric power-assisted steering giving precise feedback.

True to its zoom-zoom mantra, the Sports Wagon’s sport-tuned suspension (MacPherson struts in front, independent multilink at the rear), lightweight yet solid body, and strong brakes tackle any road’s twists and turns with aplomb.

In terms of grip, dynamic performance and balance, this wagon is unmatched in its price and engine displacement range.

THE COCKPIT is dominated by a 7-inch touchscreen tablet above the center of the dash.

Fuel efficiency is enhanced not only by the light but strong architecture, but also by the i-Stop idling stop system and i-Eloop regenerative braking system which recaptures kinetic energy from braking and uses it to power electric components like the air-conditioner and headlights.

Heads-up

The cockpit of the Sports Wagon features a heads-up display that shows the vehicle speed and other vital information, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen tablet above the center of the dash, a multifunction control dial on the center console, a sport mode toggle switch, and an electric parking brake switch.

The craftsmanship inside, like outside, is impeccable. The upscale layout and use of top-notch materials, user-friendly, centralized controls system, and easy-to-read gauges make it a pleasure to drive.

All Mazda vehicles sold in the Philippines are made in Japan.

Black leather seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with paddle shifters and audio, Bluetooth and cruise controls, 11-speaker Bose sound system, automatic dual zone climate control, rear ventilation louvers, single CD, MP3, Aux-in, two USB, and 12-volt power supply are standard equipment.

Cargo space (left), even with the rear seats up, is cavernous.

The driver’s seat is eight-way power adjustable with memory and lumbar support. The front passenger seat is six-way power adjustable, and the rear seat with center armrest splits 60:40 and folds down to further increase the already cavernous cargo space.

Comfortable

Legroom and headroom front and back are excellent. In fact, the spacious back seat is one of the wagon’s strong suits, not to mention the supportive front seats. All these guarantee a comfortable ride for a five-member family, even on long trips.

On the other hand, some engine and road noise enters the cabin when the wagon is driven at high speed. Rear visibility for the driver is blocked by the three tall headrests of the back seat.

It’s a good thing that the Sports Wagon has a backup camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

THE ROOMY back seat (above) is one of the wagon’s best suits.

The other standard safety features are dual front, side and curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock braking system with EBD (electronic brake force distribution), dynamic stability control, lane departure warning, disc brakes on all four wheels, rain-sensing wipers, front fog lamps, and smart proximity keyless entry system.

At P1.795 million, the 2016 Mazda Sports Wagon is competitively priced in the 2.5-liter midsize car segment.

As a rule, executive cars are designed to be driven by chauffeurs, but the 2016 Mazda6 Sports Wagon is such an exception to the rule that most likely, the head of the family would eagerly take the wheel himself (or herself).

Text and photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza