2014 Mazda MAZDA6 i Sport FWD Automatic

Model Highlights

The 2014 Mazda6 comes in three different trims: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Each is powered by a 184-horsepower, direct-injection 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, with torque rated at 185 ft-lb. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard on the Sport, while a 6-speed automatic is optional on that trim and standard on Touring and Grand Touring. Even the base Sport trim comes well equipped, with halogen headlights and halogen daytime running lights, dual power side mirrors with integrated turn signals, 17-inch alloy wheels, power windows and locks, push-button start, a 60/40 split-fold reat seatback, and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Standard safety technology includes 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, a bevy of airbags, dynamic stability control and traction control. The Touring adds features like 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear heat and air conditioning vents, a 6-way power driver's seat, leatherette-trimmed seats, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a 5.8-inch color touch screen display, HD and Pandora Internet radio and SMS text message audio delivery and reply. The Touring also includes a blind spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic alert. Finally, the fully equipped Grand Touring includes amenities like a power glass moonroof, bi-xenon headlights and LED running lights, an auto-dimming driver's side mirror, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, navigation with traffic alerts, leather-trimmed seating with heated front seats and an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, Sirius XM satellite radio compatibility and a Smart City Brake Support system, which helps to mitigate low-speed front-end collisions. While certain convenience options like an auto-dimming rearview mirror and fog lights are available on the Sport, packages are only available on Touring and Grand Touring models. The $2,000 Touring Technology Package includes the 11-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, advanced keyless entry, Smart City Brake Support and more. For the Grand Touring, the cleverly named Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Forward Obstruction Warning Package adds those two systems, while the Advanced Package--arriving later in the model year--builds on the above with a land departure warning system and i-ELOOP, a regenerative braking system that uses a capacitor to store energy created during braking.