2009 Mazda6 - Preview

July 16th - I just spent the day driving the new "6" from Mazda. This is a very important vehicle for Mazda as it is their entrant in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. Think Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Chevy Malibu. These are the workhorses of the auto industry and their 5-passenger capacity, fuel economy and roomy trunks meet the needs of a LOT of people.

Mazda's identified three weaknesses with their current product: size, power and quality. They set out to improve in all three areas and wrapped the new package in a sexy new design that is unmistakably Mazda.

The 2009 Mazda6 is roomier, has 2 new powerful engines and while initial quality studies won't be out for a few months after launch, from today's drive they seem to have hit the quality target.

We'll post a full review with driving impressions and video in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy the photography (courtesy of Mazda) below: