Used 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 184 listings available, which suggests a relatively limited pool of used examples to shop from.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 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 as a midsize sedan aimed at drivers who care about the experience behind the wheel, with a stylish design, premium interior materials, and a steering wheel that makes driving especially enjoyable. It is also described as one of the more stylish and high-quality family-sized four-doors, though its technology is outdated and all-wheel drive is not available.

The main trade-offs are the lack of AWD and the aging infotainment setup. Even so, the market still shows 26.1% of listings as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 reliable?

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

The Mazda6 is described as an older design, but one that still performs well in crash-testing and remains appealing because it is generously equipped and reasonably priced. Its active safety systems are smooth, accurate, and predictable in use, which supports confidence in day-to-day ownership.

The performance and safety setup suggests a car that should feel familiar and manageable over time, though the outdated technology means you may be living with older infotainment hardware for the long haul. For used buyers, the biggest ownership risk is less about the car’s core character and more about making sure the specific example has been well maintained and not worn down by age.

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

At 62% 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 thorough inspection of bodywork, panel alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because this model is relatively rare and older than many rivals, condition matters a lot more than simply finding the lowest price.

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 of that powerplant. The Sport and Touring are the trims most likely to leave you without some of the richer equipment found higher up the range.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Running regular fuel lowers output to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, while premium fuel brings it to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The car is quick but not outright fast, and all-wheel drive is not available.
• Safety package: Every 2021 Mazda6 includes 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, it adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer system, and an Active Driving Display. The 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 Mazda6 gets 26 mpg in combined driving, and testing returned 26.1 mpg.

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:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Mazda6’s core style and standard safety equipment at the lowest price. It makes sense if you want the driving feel and design without paying for extra luxury or tech.
• Touring: This trim keeps the same 186-horsepower engine but adds more comfort and convenience than the Sport. It is the better value if you want a more complete daily driver without stepping into the turbocharged models.
• Grand Touring: This is where the Mazda6 starts to feel more upscale, and it also brings wireless Apple CarPlay plus the 11-speaker Bose premium audio system. If you want the best balance of equipment and price, this is the trim to focus on.
• Grand Touring Reserve: This trim adds the turbocharged engine and upgrades the safety and convenience story with adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer system, and an Active Driving Display. It suits you if you want a richer feature set and stronger performance.
• Carbon Edition: Based on the Grand Touring Reserve, this trim adds exclusive Polymetal Gray paint, red leather with contrast stitching, and black metallic wheels. It is the style-forward choice if you want something that feels special without moving all the way to the top trim.
• Signature: This is the luxury-leaning version, with premium Nappa leather, genuine Sen wood trim, LED interior lighting, an exclusive grille, and the most advanced safety-tech package. It is the right pick if you want the most upscale Mazda6 experience.

The safety package starts with strong standard equipment on every trim, while the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature add meaningful extra driver-assistance and visibility features.

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

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 26.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 184 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,714, 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 $20,237 sits slightly above last year's $20,221.

That small increase suggests the Mazda6 has held its value fairly steadily rather than swinging sharply in either direction. For a future seller, that kind of stability can be helpful because it points to a market that is not punishing the model year.

The car’s appeal to drivers who value style and driving enjoyment should continue to support demand, especially among shoppers looking for something a little different from the usual midsize sedan. A relatively rare model with strong desirability can be easier to position well when it is time to sell.

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 Top Safety Pick+ recognition from IIHS and five-star ratings in nearly every assessment from NHTSA.

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

Mazda bundles its active safety features under the i-Activesense banner. Every 2021 Mazda6 includes 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, the Mazda6 adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer system, and an Active Driving Display. The Signature adds driver-attention alert, traffic-sign recognition, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.

One caveat is that the Mazda6 does not include a lane-centering function, which some competitors offer.

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:

• 26.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady 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 engaging driving feel, even though its technology is outdated.

The bottom line: The 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 is a strong pick if you want a midsize sedan that feels more special than most rivals and you value style and driving enjoyment over the newest tech. If you are price-sensitive, you can still find good value in the market, but you should be selective about condition and history because a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.