2018 Mazda 6

header-image
Rating7.1

Ranked #10 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$21,950 - $34,750
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on February 2, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Athletic styling resonates with premium interior

Only the base engine has a manual setup

Introduced a new 2.5L Turbocharged Inline-4

Sharp handling gives it an edge

Poor fuel economy compared to rivals

Interior and exterior makeover

Impressive safety ratings

Other sedans offer better comfort

Introduced the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims

Late availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Specs & Features

$21,950

price

187 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Mazda 6 is a mid-size sedan offered in 5 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $21,950. For that price, it mainly competes with the Chevrolet Malibu, the Honda Accord, and the Toyota Camry. Between 5 trims, the Mazda 6 offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 2.5L Inline-4 capable of making 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-Speed Manual transmission as standard and gets a 6-Speed Automatic transmission optional. If more power is required, there is also a 227 horsepower-making 2.5L Turbocharged Inline-4 engine coupled with only the 6-Speed Automatic transmission. The same engine offers 250 horsepower with premium fuel.

The Mazda 6 reaches on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 6.8 seconds with the 2.5L Turbo inline-4. Depending on the powertrain, the Mazda 6 can manage a combined fuel economy between 26 and 27 MPG. While we're on the topic of choices, the 8 striking colors the Mazda 6 comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

We are eyeing the mid-level Grand Touring trim which opens the access to the new turbo engine. It also comes with an 11-speaker Bose sound system, heated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Trims

    Sport
    $21,950 onwards
    • 17-inch gray aluminum Wheels
    • AM/FM/HD
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    Touring
    $25,700 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 187 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    Grand Touring
    $29,200 onwards
    • Voice command
    Grand Touring Reserve
    $31,700 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 227 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 310 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg
    Signature
    $34,750 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 227 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 310 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$27,895- $36,420

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.78

Horsepower

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$22,600- $30,600

Gasoline

7.11

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,000- $45,750

Gasoline

7.39

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$54,900

Gasoline

7.06

310 hp @ 6500 rpm

272 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,570- $35,800

Gasoline

8.41

192 hp @ 5500 rpm

192 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,290- $44,690

Gasoline

7.88

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

253 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,950- $34,750

Gasoline

7.07

227 hp @ 5000 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,565- $47,070

Gasoline

7.3

194 hp @ 6300 rpm

187 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

-

Read Review

$22,050- $32,450

Gasoline

7.7

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,095- $24,945

Gasoline

7.93

155 hp @ 6000 rpm

150 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Mazda 6 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2018 Mazda 6

    Ranked #8

    7.8 sec16.1 sec-
    2018 Audi A4

    Ranked #1

    5.7 sec14.4 sec130 mph
    6 sec14.4 sec132 mph
    6.1 sec14.5 sec-
    6.1 sec13.7 sec124 mph
    6.6 sec14.8 sec148 mph

    2018 Mazda 6 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2018 Mazda 6

      Ranked #7

      24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg16.4 gal.393.6/541.2 mi.
      51 mpg53 mpg52 mpg13 gal.663/689 mi.
      29 mpg41 mpg34 mpg14.5 gal.420.5/594.5 mi.
      30 mpg38 mpg33 mpg14.8 gal.444/562.4 mi.
      2018 Mazda 3

      Ranked #4

      28 mpg38 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/501.6 mi.
      2018 Audi A4

      Ranked #4

      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg15.3 gal.413.10/566.10 mi.

      2018 Mazda 6 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2018 Mazda 6

        Ranked #7

        192.7 in.72.4 in.57.1 in.6.5 in.111.4 in.
        201.3 in.73 in.58.9 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        197.8 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.4.5 in.112.2 in.
        197.5 in.73.5 in.57.5 in.7 in.114.4 in.
        195.7 in.73.6 in.57.9 in.6 in.112.4 in.
        193.8 in.73 in.57.6 in.6 in.111.4 in.

        2018 Mazda 6 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2018 Mazda 6

          Ranked #2

          14.7 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.148.9 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.107.8 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.
          55 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.102.8 cu.ft.78.6 cu.ft.
          23.3 cu.ft.93.8 cu.ft.40.9 cu.ft.
          18.8 cu.ft.105 cu.ft.72.5 cu.ft.

          2018 Mazda 6 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2018 Mazda 6

            Ranked #1

            148.9 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.148.9 cu.ft.-
            12.3 cu.ft.14.3 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.-
            20.6 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.20.6 cu.ft.72 ft.
            41.9 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.41.9 cu.ft.-
            2018 Mazda 3

            Ranked #5

            47.1 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.47.1 cu.ft.-
            72.5 cu.ft.18.8 cu.ft.72.5 cu.ft.121 ft.

            2018 Mazda 6 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2018 Mazda 6

              Ranked #2

              -1046 lbs.3326 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3431 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3681 lbs.
              -925 lbs.3241 lbs.
              -1133 lbs.3478 lbs.
              --3250 lbs.

              2018 Mazda 6 Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              47

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Mazda Cars

              2018 Mazda CX-9

              Horsepower : 250 hp @ 5000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 6.9 sec

              #1

              2018 Mazda 6

              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 27 mpg

              0-60 : 7.8 sec

              #2

              2018 Mazda CX-5

              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #3

              2018 Mazda 3

              Horsepower : 155 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 8.4 sec

              #4

              2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata

              Horsepower : 155 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 29 mpg

              0-60 : 6.7 sec

              #5

              2018 Mazda CX-3

              Horsepower : 146 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 8.8 sec

              #6