U.S.-Bound 2009 Mazda6 Revealed

• Competes with: Chevy Malibu, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord
• Looks like: The European 6 revealed last September
• Drivetrain: 3.7 liter V-6 with six-speed automatic transmission, 2.5 liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or five-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008

Last year, we saw the thoroughly restyled Mazda6 lineup that would be sold worldwide. We have no idea why it took so long for Mazda to finally take the wraps off of the U.S. version, seen here for the first time, since it looks so similar to the worldwide version. However, the changes are significant since Americans will get a larger car inside and out with a powerful V-6 option, and a different interior.

What of the hatchback and wagon we saw for Europe? Nope, they’re not coming to the U.S., just the sedan.

Engine choices are interesting: The top of the line 3.7-liter V-6 is the same engine that powers the CX-9 three-row crossover. In the CX-9 it produces 273 hp. If those numbers remain, the new Mazda6 would be the most powerful non-luxury midsize sedan on the market, beating out the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu and Nissan Altima V-6s. It will be teamed to a six-speed automatic transmission.

A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will serve as the base power plant and is the same engine that powers the European version. We’d guess power would be similar to the announced 170-hp engine for Europe, and fans of manual transmissions get a six-speed manual. A five-speed automatic is also available. Both automatics come with a manual shift feature. All North American Mazda6 sedans will be built in Flat Rock, Michigan at a plant shared with Ford.

When the Mazda6 debuted, it really set the tone for how sporting and sophisticated daily transportation could be in what is normally a rather boring segment. Since then, every automaker has caught up. With this redesign, Mazda looks to recapture its edge. One additional photo can be found below.

Best Cash-Back Finds: 01.25.08

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury are dolling out pretty darn good deals through the end of February, and we had to be selective about which ones we picked for this round of our top finds. We could have gone with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner with decent cash back, or numerous SUVs, but we went a different way. We also added one fun-to-drive model that’s surprisingly still in decent supply. For a complete list check out Cars.com's Incentives page.

2008 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable

MSRP: $23,485/$23,780
Cash back: $2,000
Percent off MSRP: 8.4-8.5%   
Expires: 2/29/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

Just this week, Ford’s CEO said the company is going to redesign the Taurus completely for 2009. That kind of move would usually have us telling folks to wait and see, but the Taurus and Sable were just updated this year, and we just spent a week in the new Sable and found it to be a great daily driver. The new Premier trim had a pretty nice interior, too. Both also look much better in person and offer a ton of space in the second row and trunk.

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2009 Mazda6

• Competes with: Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry
• Looks like: The already-sporty Mazda6 got a hunky face-lift
• Drivetrain: 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed manual; U.S. drivetrain info still to come
• Hits dealerships: Second half of 2008

If you were thinking about buying a new midsize sedan, we advise you to wait until the redesigned 2009 Mazda6 makes its way to U.S. shores. The radically redesigned Mazda6 — seen here in sedan, hatchback and wagon versions — will make its way to the U.S. in late 2008. We’re not sure what all the power plants will be, but the models that debuted in Frankfurt today feature an updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that gets 170 hp. Rumor has it Ford’s 3.5-liter V-6 used in the Edge SUV will also go in the Mazda6 — that could mean more than 250 hp.

But that’s just conjecture at this point. What we do know is that the new Mazda6 is lighter than the previous generation, has a more aerodynamic shape, a new suspension and a new interior. The interior looks to upgrade what was one of the better treatments when it debuted in 2003, but has since been surpassed by others. The new Mazda6 looks to borrow some of the high-quality interior bits we enjoyed in the new CX-9 crossover. Many more photos of all three versions of the Mazda6 are below, and we’ll post concrete news about the U.S.-bound cars as soon as it comes in.

An Early Look at the Next Mazda6

Many people may not realize how significant the current Mazda6 sedan is. The midsize sedan doesn’t sell at the same clip as the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, but its sporty driving feel is so impressive that Ford based three of its best-selling new models on it, including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ.

The thing is, the Mazda6 is ready for a redesign, and the company has picked September’s Frankfurt Motor Show as the place to reveal all the details. For now, we have this single image above. The most we can glean from the image is that the front fenders get a much more aggressive look, reminiscent of the company’s trio of concepts from last year: the Nagare, Ryuga and Hakaze. The new Mazda6 will most likely be a 2009 model and go on sale in mid-2008.

What do you think? Will the next Mazda6 be as impressive as the current model?

Ch-Ch-Changes: Mazdaspeed6, Mazda6 Wagon Dropped for 2008

Mazda’s high-performance sedan, the Mazdaspeed6, will not continue as a 2008 model. The wagon version of the Mazda6 is another casualty of Mazda’s thinning 2008 lineup. Both were popular among a small niche of fans but didn’t find a wide audience. Mazda is also trimming the current Mazda6 lineup because the model will be significantly redesigned for 2009.

The 2008 Mazda6 sedan and hatchback will get a tire pressure monitoring system standard for 2008, but little else has changed. A Bose stereo system is standard in the Touring trim level, 17-inch wheels are standard on the i Sport trim and there’s a standard alarm system on the Sport VE and Touring trims.

The 2008s will start arriving at dealers later this year. Currently, 2007 Mazdaspeed6 — a Cars.com Best Bet — and Mazda6 sedans, hatchbacks and wagons have a $1,750 cash-back offer or low-financing available through Sept. 4.