Mazda 6 2007 $11,995

What s New for 2007 Trim levels are shuffled and changed. The Sport becomes the entry-level model while the other trims in the 2007 Mazda 6 family are revised with the new Sport Value Edition Touring and Grand Touring completing the lineup. Increasing the value proposition is the addition of more safety features across the line with front side and side curtain airbags now standard on every 6. Introduction Back in 1979 midsize family sedans from Japan were just starting to come about. The Accord sedan had just debuted and from Toyota came the Corona. While those were rather bland workaday sedans Mazda took a slightly different tack with its new 626 sedan. With Euro-inspired styling crisp performance and handling to match the 626 had a solid identity as the sport sedan of the segment. Nearly three decades later the 2007 Mazda 6 (which debuted in 2003 as the 626 s replacement) remains true to the 626 s original mission -- to provide an entertaining drive while still offering affordable and practical family transport. Stylish design a buttoned-down suspension and a driver-oriented cockpit characterize the 6. And while other automakers have largely abandoned midsize hatchbacks and station wagons Mazda offers those two body styles in addition to the sedan in the 6 lineup. On an open road the 6 shines with its communicative steering and poised chassis. It s while unraveling a twisty road that the 6 distances itself from its less involving and less athletic peers. Yet it s no less affable on the highway where it delivers as smooth and quiet a ride as anything in its class. In a few areas the 6 falls short of its competition however. Rear-seat hip- and legroom aren t as generous as in most competitors and both the base four-cylinder and the V6 are down on power. But there s still ample room for the kids back there and remember you can get the wagon version if you need more cargo capacity. And the 6 s 3.0-liter V6 might not be as muscle-bound as a Camry s but it s a smooth and willing performer nonetheless. Even considering the large number of entries in this segment the 2007 Mazda 6 is an enticing choice that offers more than just the status quo. If the idea of buying a Camry or an Accord doesn t do much for you and a VW Passat seems too expensive this midsize Mazda could be the perfect alternative. Body Styles Trim Levels and Options The 2007 Mazda 6 is available as a four-door sedan wagon or hatchback ( five-door ). Sedans and hatchbacks come in either i or s versions; the wagon comes in s trim only. The i is powered by a four-cylinder engine while the s employs a V6. The i is offered in four trims: base Sport Sport VE (Value Edition) Touring and Grand Touring. The Sport comes with 16-inch wheels a tilt-telescoping steering wheel air-conditioning a CD stereo steering-wheel-mounted audio controls cruise control keyless entry and full power accessories. The Sport VE adds 17-inch alloys a power driver seat and a six-disc CD changer. Upgrading to the Touring nets you a moonroof leather seating heated front seats and heated mirrors. The top-of-the-line Grand Touring adds xenon HID headlamps foglamps a rear spoiler a premium Bose audio system automatic climate control an auto-dimming rearview mirror and HomeLink. If you choose the s it comes in the upper three trims. Equipment content mirrors the same trims on the i with the addition of the V6 engine and on the Grand Touring 18-inch alloy wheels. The wagon comes just in the s version and in the same trims as the s sedan and hatchback. With so many trim levels and their variety of equipment levels options are few besides satellite radio remote starting and for the Grand Touring a navigation system. Powertrains and Performance Standard on the i model is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 156 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. A standard five-speed manual transmission routes power to the front wheels and a five-speed a

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