How much does the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 cost?

Prices have softened 3.40% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 177 listings available, which suggests you have some room to compare options before you buy.

If you find a listing below $18,726.51, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 a good car?

Yes — it earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Safety.

It stands out because it is aimed squarely at drivers who care about how a car feels from behind the wheel, and it pairs that focus with stylish design and premium interior materials. It is also described as an alluring but not obvious choice, which fits you well if you want a family sedan that emphasizes driving enjoyment over the latest gadgetry.

The main trade-offs are that all-wheel drive is not available and the technology is outdated. Even so, the car remains a distinctive choice if you value style, quality, and a fun-to-drive character more than cutting-edge features.

33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent chance of finding a competitive offer.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Mazda6 is described as a car that has been around long enough to be familiar, but still feels special thanks to its quality, style, and engaging driving experience. Its safety and driving systems are also presented as smooth, accurate, and predictable in use.

The performance notes point to a car that is quick, comfortable, and well controlled, while the cost-effectiveness commentary emphasizes that Mazda equips it generously and prices it reasonably. For you, that means the bigger long-term ownership risk is less about basic competence and more about whether you can live with its older technology and lack of all-wheel drive.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mazda MAZDA6?

At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of bodywork, panel alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because this model is older and relatively rare, condition matters a lot, so focus on how well the car has been maintained and whether its features still work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport and Touring use a 186-horsepower Skyactiv 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the rest get a turbocharged 250-hp version. The base setup also misses the richer equipment found higher up the range, including the upgraded safety and convenience features that arrive on upper trims.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. It sends power through a six-speed automatic to the front wheels, and all-wheel drive is not available.
• Safety package: Every 2021 Mazda6 gets i-Activesense, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Grand Touring Reserve adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer system, and an Active Driving Display, while Signature adds driver-attention alert, traffic-sign recognition, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.
• Infotainment: The Mazda6 uses an 8-inch screen and the first-generation Mazda Connect system. It includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, internet radio, text-messaging support, and E911 automatic emergency notification. Grand Touring and higher add wireless Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto remains wired.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged model is rated at 26 mpg in combined driving, and testing returned 26.1 mpg. Mazda also notes that using regular fuel lowers output only slightly, so you can save at the pump without giving up much in everyday driving.

Which 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 is offered in 6 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Carbon Edition, and Signature.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: Sport is the most basic version, and it lacks the richer equipment and upgraded safety-tech features found higher in the lineup.
• Sweet-spot trim: Touring is the better value if you want the Mazda6’s core driving character with a more complete equipment mix than the base trim.
• Premium/top trim: Signature is the luxury-leaning choice, with premium Nappa leather, genuine Sen wood trim, LED interior lighting, an embedded navigation system, and the most advanced safety tech in the range.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims is aimed at off-road use, so there is no daily-driver caution to flag here.

Starting with the Grand Touring Reserve trim, the Mazda6 adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer system, and an Active Driving Display. The Signature trim rounds out the safety-tech offerings with driver-attention alert, traffic-sign recognition, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mazda MAZDA6?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 177 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.40% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,726.51, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6's resale value?

The current average of $20,157 sits slightly below last year's $20,866.

That softer pricing suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim, since the model’s appeal is tied to its style and driving character more than to broad mainstream demand.

Because the Mazda6 is relatively rare and still has a strong enthusiast-friendly identity, well-kept examples should remain easier to market than neglected ones. If you buy carefully now, you improve your odds of preserving value later.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 safe?

The Mazda6 earns the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, and NHTSA gives it its top five-star rating in nearly every assessment.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Mazda bundles its active safety features under the i-Activesense banner. Every 2021 Mazda6 is equipped with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Starting with the Grand Touring Reserve trim, the Mazda6 adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer system, and an Active Driving Display that projects important information onto the windshield. The Signature trim adds driver-attention alert, traffic-sign recognition, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.

One thing to keep in mind is that i-Activesense does not include a lane-centering function, which some competitors offer. That is not a dealbreaker for everyone, but it is worth noting if you want the most advanced highway-assist tech.

Should I buy a 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.40% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Mazda6 is still praised for its stylish design, premium interior materials, and fun-to-drive character, even though its technology is dated.

The bottom line: If you want a midsize sedan that prioritizes style, quality, and driving enjoyment, the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 is the right year to target. If you are more price-sensitive, you can still shop nearby years, but the 2021 stands out because it combines softened pricing with strong safety, solid expert praise, and a distinctive personality.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.