Only two years after its US debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mazda is using the same venue to release the current-generation Mazda6’s first facelift.
With this makeover, Mazda is bringing midsize sedan in line with the brand’s newest models from a styling point of view. Changes are discreet, however, and include a new front grille, signature wing design, new LED headlamps and an LED signature for the taillights. Other changes include the new compact shark fin antenna, darker 19-inch aluminum wheels with high-gloss paint, and two new colors, Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Mica.
Inside, the 2016 Mazda6 features a restyled instrument panel and floor console, as well as the addition of Mazda Connect, the brand’s next-generation car connectivity system which features a freestanding seven-inch center display on top of the low dashboard. Another update is the Electrical Parking Brake (EPB), the first of its kind for Mazda. The automaker also says it has improved sound insulation and front and rear seat performance, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable riding experience.
The 2016 Mazda6 continues to offer a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G direct-injection gasoline engine mated to either six-speed manual Skyactiv-MT or six-speed automatic Skyactiv-Drive transmissions. The engine produces 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque at 3,250 rpm and is offered as standard with Mazda’s i-stop idling stop system and i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system. Still no mention of the much-awaited diesel though.
In terms of safety, the refreshed model gains the i-Activsense advanced technologies aimed at recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions, and minimizing damage in the event an accident does occur.
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