Mazda expanded its line of Mazda 6 mid-size vehicles for 2005 by adding a new Sport package for all three of the Mazda 6 body types -- sedan, five-door hatchback, and wagon. In addition, a Grand Touring package was added for the sedan and wagon. Also, a new six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift feature was available on vehicles with the "s" designation.
All of the s-designed vehicles, including the s sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with various trim packages, came with a 220-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine. Sedans and hatchbacks with the i designation featured a 160-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.
The base-level sedan, hatchback, and wagon came with such standard features as air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a CD player. Sport packages added power seats, while the Grand Touring package added a sunroof and leather seats, among other features.
Drivers found a lot to like about the Mazda 6 cars, including their handling, acceleration, styling, sound system, and value. Some drivers noted that dealership repairs could be expensive, but generally those were minimal, according to most drivers.
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Nice car, comfortable.
Seems quite road worthy
Good value for that yearMar 19, 2023
by William R
Mar 11, 2015
what I liked about this car was that its very easy to drive the handling is amazing, and how it looks. also how good it is on gas. what I dont like is that the thermostat keeps messing up, its a little small and the engine light wont go off.Mar 11, 2015
by Anonymous
Jan 13, 2015
An outstanding car, but not without a few weak points (transmission, visibility, warranty, fuel economy ... see pros/cons). Just be sure to carefully verify, if you get the 3.0L V6 from 2005 to 2006 whether your transmission is from the factory, and if so, is it suspectible to service bulletin TSB 05-016/06.
On the upside:
It has good power, outstanding handling particularly for a FWD car of its size, tremendous cargo capacity and flexibility due to the hatchback, reasonably priced, aggressive and rugged good looks. It is just all around versatile, flexible, reliable, and fun to drive. It encourages you to misbehave when you drive it... and I like that.
On the downside:
If you have the 3.0L V6, and it is original from the factory from 2005 until early 2006 ... be warned. You have a $5,000 timebomb in your drivetrain. Google search for Mazda Service Bulletin "TSB 05-016/06". Basically there is a defect in the transmission they did not fix in mass manufacturing until early 2006. When it rears its ugly head, it will cause the car to slip out of 4th/5th/6th and in general not want to change between them at all. The defect is in the valve body. A valve body alone is $1,500. A remanufactured transmission is $2,500 with another $2,000 in labor to install it. It is truly horrible that Mazda admits there was a defect but chose to issue a service bulletin instead of a recall. The transmission only appears in the 3.0L V6 model, and only the one using the Aisin made 6-speed automatic. Next time Mazda ... make the transmission yourself instead of getting a junk company nobody has ever heard of to do it. Also, the warranty was only 6 years, 60,000 miles. There is a fair bit of road noise at high interstate speed. And you must check your blind spot *WELL* as the rear pillars basically extend your blind spot. I'd recommend aftermarket side mirror bubble mirrors. You'll struggle to do much better than 25mpg.Jan 13, 2015
User rating:
by Emmy P
Mar 19, 2023
Nice car, comfortable.
Seems quite road worthy
Good value for that yearMar 19, 2023
by William R
Mar 11, 2015
what I liked about this car was that its very easy to drive the handling is amazing, and how it looks. also how good it is on gas. what I dont like is that the thermostat keeps messing up, its a little small and the engine light wont go off.Mar 11, 2015
by Anonymous
Jan 13, 2015
An outstanding car, but not without a few weak points (transmission, visibility, warranty, fuel economy ... see pros/cons). Just be sure to carefully verify, if you get the 3.0L V6 from 2005 to 2006 whether your transmission is from the factory, and if so, is it suspectible to service bulletin TSB 05-016/06.
On the upside:
It has good power, outstanding handling particularly for a FWD car of its size, tremendous cargo capacity and flexibility due to the hatchback, reasonably priced, aggressive and rugged good looks. It is just all around versatile, flexible, reliable, and fun to drive. It encourages you to misbehave when you drive it... and I like that.
On the downside:
If you have the 3.0L V6, and it is original from the factory from 2005 until early 2006 ... be warned. You have a $5,000 timebomb in your drivetrain. Google search for Mazda Service Bulletin "TSB 05-016/06". Basically there is a defect in the transmission they did not fix in mass manufacturing until early 2006. When it rears its ugly head, it will cause the car to slip out of 4th/5th/6th and in general not want to change between them at all. The defect is in the valve body. A valve body alone is $1,500. A remanufactured transmission is $2,500 with another $2,000 in labor to install it. It is truly horrible that Mazda admits there was a defect but chose to issue a service bulletin instead of a recall. The transmission only appears in the 3.0L V6 model, and only the one using the Aisin made 6-speed automatic. Next time Mazda ... make the transmission yourself instead of getting a junk company nobody has ever heard of to do it. Also, the warranty was only 6 years, 60,000 miles. There is a fair bit of road noise at high interstate speed. And you must check your blind spot *WELL* as the rear pillars basically extend your blind spot. I'd recommend aftermarket side mirror bubble mirrors. You'll struggle to do much better than 25mpg.Jan 13, 2015
by Stephen D
Oct 07, 2014
This car is overall very nice and reliable. It is a very good first car for anyone. I would recommended this car to others. There have been minor maintenance I have had to do on the car, but other than that it has been a great car.Oct 07, 2014
by Tracy R
May 31, 2014
I got this car after driving my Dodge Shadow ES for 18 years. I thought I needed something different. MY MISTAKE!! While my Shadow is still running and driving around town, my Mazda 6s has been in the shop 3 TIMES in ONE YEAR of owning it. Get something else if you want reliable. Buy a DODGE! I know I am.May 31, 2014
by Randy O
Sep 30, 2013
the V6 had alot power and i love the 5 speed manual, good in the snow, fun to drive, the back seats folded down to give you more hauling space, the handling was really good on the road and fun to drive in the showSep 30, 2013
by Joanna B
Aug 14, 2013
It handles superbly and has guts when getting on the highway and shifts ever so smoothly. I have a 6 speed automatic and it reaches 60MPH in 5 seconds, then cruises right along.
It has great cargo space especially for delivering our big screen to our home. For a 6 cylinder it gets about 30 MPG, it is very economical to run. Nice family car.Aug 14, 2013
by Ashley B
Sep 14, 2012
Its a sport car and drives very good. You can hang curves and move right on. It's a pretty quick car to be stock but I haven't had any problems out of it. Like I mentioned earlier, new tires and brakes and the maintenance has been well kept.Sep 14, 2012
by Charles J
Sep 03, 2012
For a 4 cylinder had a lot of a power, handled exceptionally well, but shifted poorly, had the autostick and got worse as mileage went on. Drivers door window was often off track and gas mileage plumetted around 60K with no solution.Sep 03, 2012
by Fardos A
Apr 20, 2012
I have only had time to upgrade the brake system.
Front to rotors are slotted
Rear rotors are blank
All around ceramic hawk performance pads.
Soon to upgrade: cool air intake system and filter, tint windows, change spark
plugs and clean/refurbish rims.Apr 20, 2012
by Anonymous
Apr 03, 2011
very clean. well maintained reliable car. tinted windows, premium sound
system, aftermarket wheels, and exhaust. gets 20 city 26 hwy mpg. It has
very low mileage for a car that is six years old. Very fun to drive and it
will jump if you feel a need for speedApr 03, 2011
by Brandon G
Jan 24, 2011
Overall this is a good second car for me. Going from a 1996 Honda Accord with a 4cyl engine, to a zippy V6 is a nice transition. The quality of the car is great, it looks good when clean, and the car is fun to drive for the most part. Living in Minnesota, it gets through the snow well, except when going up a steep hill with a manual trans. LOVE the Bose stereo and roominess of the cab, and trunk.Jan 24, 2011
by Anonymous
Nov 17, 2010
This car is a great buy. Its Fast, Sporty,
Reliable, Gets good MPG, is fairly low cost to
maintain and repair (althogh i've never had to
go and get it fixed or anything.) and its an
absolute pleasure to own and drive. I had a
longer more in depth review but my internet
cut off :( Nov 17, 2010
by John B
Oct 17, 2010
Overall a great driving car. Grey exterior with a grey leather interior. If I'd waited one model year it would have had a 6 speed, but the 5 speed is fine. Lots of storage room, especially with the rear seats folded flat.Oct 17, 2010
by Joshua R
Aug 12, 2010
I have a inline 4-cylinder, it has enough bite to satisfy the everyday driver and goes a little ways towards the "need for speed" drivers. It has excellent braking and handling in all situations. No build quality issues on any part of the car. There is little or no maintenance other than the usual (oil changes/ tire rotation). Very fun to drive.Aug 12, 2010
by Nayyer L
Feb 20, 2010
Performance: Handles very well, good grip and steering
feel.
Accelerates with more of a kick than you'd expect from its
4 cylinder engine.
Handles great, its got a good steering feel and lots of grip.
Build Quality: Decent
Appearance: Great looking car for it's price.
Very Fun to drive.Feb 20, 2010
by Daniel E
Nov 11, 2009
Great Car! A little annoying that the CD stacker has an intermittent fault (particularly during long drives) and has no music port for iPod etc.... aargh! Otherwise is brilliant. My favourite car so far! Mazda - they think! I love all the clever little storage places...Nov 11, 2009
by Marc D
Jul 16, 2009
Great fun to drive and the 2L diesel is solid and is a relaxing drive when you're in that sort of mood or let the turbo kick in for a sudden wooosh. Torque is crazy and is easy to wheel spin if you turn traction control offJul 16, 2009
by Cory S
Jul 11, 2009
handles well, acceleration is good put takes alittle bit, braking is awesome
no repaires needed.
looks great inside and out
looks like i'll be able to get about 500 miles out of 15g tank.
fun to drive the sound of the enigine is amazing!Jul 11, 2009
by Stuart V
Apr 18, 2009
Performance is great for the class. Smurf and I have earned the nickname Transporter from coworkers. Build quality overall is good (doors and major items are peachy), but more and more little things are starting to rattle on less than perfect roads. Gas mileage is solid, as well.Apr 18, 2009
by Mathew W
Sep 14, 2008
The performance of the mazda 6 is amazing. It handle a little like a sedan. Oh wait, it is. But you'd never guess it was a mom car when you were driving it. It gets about 21 mpg the way I drive (with the v6). It is the most fun you'll ever have driving a 4-door sedan. I would recomend a mazda 6 to anyone who wants a fun and practical car.Sep 14, 2008
by Chris R
Sep 08, 2008
Handling and appearance are an order of magnitude better than any other midsize car available when I purchased it. Could use a bit more power, but the 3.0l duratec takes well to modifications. Gas mileage is decent if you don't drive it hard.
Cargo capacity is equivalent to a small wagon, outside of a few pieces of furniture there is nothing I own that I can't fit in this car.
Interior looks great and is comfortable but there are some minor issues with fit and finish. The Bose stereo sounds good when it works but has some problems. I'd like to replace it but this is impossible without an aftermarket center console.
Sep 08, 2008
by Guanyan C
Aug 01, 2008
it has quick response from accelerograph but never lazy in braking, easy handling, giving you confident with it's 4-wide-tyre. fashionable cocky appearance in good condition, blue color is the classicest among the model. audio system is ok. low appetite for petrol. overal it's a good choice at it's price.Aug 01, 2008
by Edvin M
Jun 30, 2008
Its amazing how large the trunk is and how much can be carried with the rear seats down. Yet the car has great handling and decent pick up. Jun 30, 2008
by Jason M
Apr 16, 2008
The Mazda6 is an exceptional midsize sports saloon. It is fun to drive and has a comfortable non-abusive yet communicative ride. The handling is superb for a FWD car of this size. The hatchback adds a flair of uniqueness which is missing in many of today's midsize family cars. It also greatly improves cargo handling flexibility. And of course mine features my favorite option: the manual transmission! I would love for it to have a 6th gear like the automatic, but there is no way I would give it up for the slush box.Apr 16, 2008
by Sara P
Mar 18, 2008
I have a son and 2 dogs, so I had to get a bigger car... but going from a Toyota Celica... I did not want to drive something huge. this car has surprisingly great handling!Mar 18, 2008
by Kamil K
Feb 11, 2008
The car has great handling but has no power. Has average room for a 4dr sedan. Leather was comfortable. Bose sound system was good for a stock system. Overall the car has no power which is why it is not worth the money.Feb 11, 2008
by Paul T
Dec 19, 2007
My whole family loves this car for it's reliability and endurance. It has great gas milage on Highway AND in town (stop and go) and a smooth ride to boot.Dec 19, 2007
ac stopped working. found the high side schrader valve leaking. had to replace the hose because the valve is not replaceable. valve stated leaking on the new hose after 1 day.
My 2005 mazda 6 recently got sent in to get the axle replaced drove it home fine, next day car wouldnt start had to get a jump checked terminals, none were loose or damaged. Drove for a good 6 minutes when I noticed my battery light and e brake light flickering on and off. Shortly after my car started to slow down. It didnt shut off just dropped in speed on its own then the speedometer started pulsating back and forth. Anytime I pick up speed it would jolt 3 times then push to correct speed. As soon as I parked at my job I left it run for 20 mins and shut off the car it died immediately and I needed another jump to get it started. could it be my A/C Compressor or Altenator or maybe something else?