Tech Review: 2009 Mazda6 Offers Gadgets Galore Along with Room and Zoom
While Ford's game-changing Sync technology (unfortunately) hasn't migrated over to Mazda, the automaker did decide to be an early adopter by adding cutting-edge features such as Bluetooth wireless music streaming and blind-spot monitoring on higher trim levels. And most models come with a "smart key" that can be programmed in a variety of ways depending on the bells and whistles that are added to the car.
But the big question is whether it's enough to win over those thousands of Accord, Altima and Camry buyers.
The most significant in-cabin tech edge the new Mazda6 has over its direct competitors is Bluetooth A2DP, which allows wireless streaming of music from compatible devices such as mobile phones and portable media players (PMPs). Problem is, consumer awareness of A2DP has lagged behind the roll out of the technology, and many people who have it on their phones and MP3 players don't typically use it. But that could change should Apple ever decide to add A2DP capability on its iPhones. Even so, Mazda would be better off providing compatibility with iPods beyond a simple aux-in jack, which is the low end on the iPod-integration scale.
The Mazda6's other tech trump is its Blind Spot Monitoring system that senses vehicles on either side of the car and flashes an LED warning in the side mirror. The Mazda system also sounds a buzzer to warn if something is in the car's no-see-'em zone, but only when a turn signal is activated -- unlike a similar system in Infiniti luxury M sedans that sounds a warning when the car drifts near lane markers. In both instances, however, the system can be turned off.
The Touring and Grand Touring trim levels of the Mazda6 come standard with a smart key for push-button starting, and it ties into features found on more expensive vehicles, such as auto unlocking when the door handle is gripped. Plus, the dealer can program the car to perform two dozen different functions when it senses the key -- everything from seat-position memory to opening the sun roof.
The Mazda6 also boasts an optional 10-speaker Bose audio system with 9-inch woofer and CenterPoint surround processing, although the sound of the system was disappointing and dull. The non-navigation audio system comes with controls that are well laid out and intuitve to use, although the steering wheel audio controls available on all models are a bit on the small side. Without the nav you have to peer at a thin display mounted high in the dash that's difficult to read at a glance and in bright sunlight, while the optional nav system in the Grand Touring model adds an easy-to-use 7-inch touch-panel display.
With Sirius satellite radio activated, the Mazda6 has a neat backtrack feature that allows rewinding part of a song you may have missed, and a search feature lets you find out if your favorite artists are playing on any of the service's 100-plus channels. Other optional tech toys include Bluetooth hands-free calling (pairing my iPhone 3G and downloading its phonebook was simple and quick) and voice-activation of audio, communication and other functions.
Mazda's goal with this vehicle is to break out of the sales basement in the segment and compete with the power trio of Accord, Altima and Camry. A large part of that strategy has been to grow the girth of the new Mazda6 but keep the performance grit of the predecessor.
And with gadgets making more of a difference to car buyers these days, the 2009 Mazda6 has enough tech to perhaps tip the scales.
- Posted by
- Doug Newcomb October 11, 2008, 9:00 AM
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- Car Audio and Electronics
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- Mazda, Mazda6
"But the big question is whether it's enough to win over those thousands of Accord, Altima and Camry buyers."
I think it will win over a few, maybe 10%, but not many Accord and Camry buyers. Most Toyota and Honda fans like them because of their awesome reliability reputations (and fail to acknowledge recent falling build quality issues of both Honda and especially Toyota, or the fact that most other manufacturers have improved a lot recenly). These people don't care for gadgets, style, handling, etc. All they care is that "Camrys and Accords are so reliable.....and have high resale value."
"....has retained most of its zoom-zoom from its predecessor...."
Doug, hmmm....., I don't know. I haven't driven the '09 Mazda 6 yet, but whereas the old model was undoubtedly the sportiness leader (so much so that it was called a poor man's BMW), just about all auto magazine articles I've read say the '09 model is not as sporty as even the Altima. That seems to suggest that the '09 model is A LOT less sporty..... What sayeth thou?
I found the models I drove to still have some "zoom-zoom." And apparently other writers at Edmunds who drove them feel the same way:
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda6/2009/review.html
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=130587
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=131667