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AUTO REVIEW

2018 Mazda 6

By Stephen Schutz, MD

Like Subaru, Mazda has lived in the shadow of Toyota and Honda tive. Subtle styling elements are visible everywhere and complement
when it comes to sales in the U.S market. They’ve always done okay, each other. My favorites are the connection areas between the grille
but huge success has eluded them. While Subaru has focused on and headlights, the slightly tapered rear end, and the gentle flame
utility and all-wheel drive to sell their vehicles, Mazda has been surfacing on the rear doors, but there are many other thoughtful
Japan’s BMW, producing sporty cars like the RX7, Mazdaspeed3, touches. As is the case with modern Audis, Mazda’s designers strove
and Miata supported by the tagline “Zoom-Zoom.” to create a carefully integrated whole rather than gesture wildly for
Interestingly, with no fanfare and little notice, Mazda has pivoted our attention with visual gimmicks (I’m looking at you Lexus). And
away from sportiness recently to become more of a Japanese answer yet the Mazda6 retains a clear connection to other Mazdas.
to Audi. It’s probably a smart move as Audi is currently doing very As alluded to above, the interior is noticeably better than it used
well with a knack for creating cool vehicles that appeal to intelligent to be. The plastics are softer and nicer to look at, and the seats are
and accomplished customers. more plush. I especially enjoyed the stitching on the seats, which is
If you doubt my assertion that Mazda is “Audi-ifying” itself, I’d usually meh in moderately-priced cars, but in the Mazda6 is terrific.
invite you to look inside the 2018 Mazda6, the subject of this review, For the record, that stitching and some of the best interior bits in
where you’ll find a newly luxurious interior with a focus on rich ma- my Mazda6 test car came with the top-level Signature trim, which
terials and advanced tech. Then check out their current advertising gets you rich leather, real wood trim, and a host of other desirable
— no more Zoom Zoom — and earlier this year Mazda terminated features (more about that later).
their sponsorship of the iconic Laguna Seca Raceway. For 2018, every Mazda6 has a larger 8.0-inch infotainment screen
Anyway, on to the Mazda6. Still a FWD midsize sedan, the in place of the old 7.0-inch unit. Operated by an upscale control
Mazda6’s exterior design is — hello Audi — understated but attrac- knob on the center console similar to those used by the Germans

36 San Antonio Medicine • October 2018