ICYMI: Mazda axes 6 sedan (Though we’re still hopeful for its future)

Colin
By Colin Wood
May 25, 2021 | Mazda, Mazda6, CX-3

Late last week, Mazda announced that it would be discontinuing two models after the 2021 model year: the mid-sized Mazda6 sedan and the Mazda2-based CX-3 compact crossover.

No specific reasons are given as to why both models were axed for 2022, but Mazda has left us enough breadcrumbs to hint that it’s developing an all-new, rear-wheel-drive sedan that’s powered by a new inline-six powerplant.

Until that new Mazda6 arrives, however, we’ll have to wait and see what the Japanese car maker has in store for us.

Also, are you going to miss the Mazda6 in its current form (or the CX-3), or are you glad it’s getting pulled and hopefully replaced?

Join Free Join our community to easily find more Mazda, Mazda6 and CX-3 news.
Comments
pres589 (djronnebaum)
pres589 (djronnebaum) UltimaDork
5/25/21 8:18 a.m.

For one reason or another (shifting consumer tastes, poor marketing, not enough motor, etc) the 6 just didn't sell that well in its current edition to really justify life at Mazda.  I always thought they were pretty, never really wanted one nor could see myself getting interested.  As for the CX-3, Mazda seems to have made it redundant with the introduction of the CX-30.  The only loss I can see is that the CX-30 doesn't offer a manual trans whereas you could get one in the CX-3.  I bet they sold dozens of those (I know someone that has one, she purchased it because it has a manual, but that's a rare situation).

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
5/25/21 8:31 a.m.

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

I feel that about the 6. Always thought it was neat, but never quite "let's buy this over everything else on the market" neat.

And yeah, reading between the lines, the CX-30 made the CX-3 kind of redundant. If you are in the market for a CX-3, you'd probably be in the same market for a CX-30.

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
5/25/21 8:36 a.m.

So the skyactiv diesel Mazda 6 wagon really isn't coming now? 

 

 

That long roof was one of the best looking...

pres589 (djronnebaum)
pres589 (djronnebaum) UltimaDork
5/25/21 8:43 a.m.

My parents somehow ended up in a black Mazda6 rental car a few years ago when I was living in Connecticut and they were going on through to Maine.  It was both really pretty and kind of annoying; why was the roof so low?  Couldn't the center console have been a bit less fat, making it feel / be more spacious for front seat passengers?  

For as pretty as the 6 is, I feel like Mazda should have made it less pretty and a bit more... people buy SUV's to sit up a bit, not feel hemmed in or like they have to dodge the door frame to get in and out easily.  The 6 just wasn't like that in my experience, and that's what my parents said as well.  A few inches added here and there would have really changed their opinions of the car for the better.

Vajingo
Vajingo HalfDork
5/25/21 1:59 p.m.

This is still very logical. And thankfully it shows that someone at Mazda is paying attention. If I'm going to pay big money for a big sedan, I don't want it to be front wheel drive. But I also don't wanna spend big money on some BMW that has high maintenance costs. So this is a step in the right direction. I can get my street six, my rear wheel drive, and my Japanese reliability. Thank you Mosca!

 

This is still very logical. And thankfully it shows that someone at Mazda is paying attention. If I'm going to pay big money for a big sedan, I don't want it to be front wheel drive. But I also don't wanna spend big money on some BMW that has high maintenance costs. So this is a step in the right direction. I can get my straight six, my rear wheel drive, and my Japanese reliability. Thank you Mazda!

As for the CX three, again it makes sense. I really enjoyed the CX three automatic. That is one of the best shifting regular automatic transmissions you can buy. Four a demonstration go watch the matt Farrah video where he drives one in the canyons.

I'm not sure what the underpinnings are of the CX 30

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/25/21 2:07 p.m.

I always enjoyed my time in the 6 as both a driver and passenger. I thought it was an attractive sedan that offered good interior space without feeling too big.

But that's a shrinking, crowded segment and, other than that awkward IMSA effort, did Mazda ever really market the 6? I'll be honest: Hard to go up against the Camry and offerings from Korea. I'm still surprised Nissan still offers both the Altima and Maxima. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
5/25/21 2:41 p.m.

In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :

I agree that the Mazda6 makes a great wagon. We'll just have to dream for now.

On the bright side, we might be able to import some of those long roof 6's come 2045...

RX Reven'
RX Reven' GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
5/25/21 5:12 p.m.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

For one reason or another (shifting consumer tastes, poor marketing, not enough motor, etc) the 6 just didn't sell that well in its current edition to really justify life at Mazda.  I always thought they were pretty, never really wanted one nor could see myself getting interested.  As for the CX-3, Mazda seems to have made it redundant with the introduction of the CX-30.  The only loss I can see is that the CX-30 doesn't offer a manual trans whereas you could get one in the CX-3.  I bet they sold dozens of those (I know someone that has one, she purchased it because it has a manual, but that's a rare situation).

I own a 2019 CX-3 and to the best of my knowledge, they were never offered with a manual in the U.S.  Available in Asia throughout their run & available in Canada in 2018.  Although my automatic works fine, I'd rather have an manual.

I see you're in Wichita...did I miss something???

gunner (Forum Supporter)
gunner (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
5/26/21 7:23 a.m.

I specifically recall the announcement of a new Mazda 6 with a straight 6 cylinder, rear wheel drive and a manual transmission, I do realize that those things don't always come to fruition but any non luxury company that offers a manual transmission typically only offers it with their weakest engine option. Next year or the year after I will be in the market for my next new car and my last new car, the 2001 manual transmission Corolla will be moving along to its next owner. It's pretty much a given to get the manual transmission car I want that I will most likely have to buy new and the Mazda 6 will be at the top of my list if it does have a manual, a straight 6 and RWD so halting production of the current one? If they are going to use the same factories to produce it, I can see why.

Tony Sestito
Tony Sestito PowerDork
5/26/21 7:52 a.m.

I drove a 2020 6 Turbo when I was car shopping last year. That car was way more fun than I thought it would be. Power came on hard and fast, and it drove great, even with the 6-speed auto. It would lay rubber at will! There were two things I didn't like about it though: the interior and the price. While the interior was nice on its own, the smaller 3 (and the CX-30) have far nicer interiors for less money. And even though the car had been sitting for months on the lot, there were no deals on the thing. I paid about $10k less for my econobox Kia Forte GT which feels like 9/10ths the car the 6 Turbo is, and even that has a nicer interior.

I really hope they bring the 6 back in RWD I6 sedan form. That would easily make the short list for my next car. But I'm not holding my breath.

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
1X9EtW1l6l9biUDdB1eoTX7bLu4Z9mKxxUt8SMcqj8s6iNgE2VP3NJqsSA6kznsB