2021 Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda6 is split into six trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Carbon Edition, and Signature. Prices range at $25,270 including destination for a base Sport to $36,695 for a top-shelf Signature.

The Madza6 menu offers just two dishes. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder is relegated to the bottom two trims, while the rest of the lineup gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. With the extra boost of the turbo, the Mazda6 is capable of a 6.4-second 0-60 mph run.

A six-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox on offer. It is down two cogs from most of its competitors, but it still does a commendable job of providing clean, unobtrusive shifts. All prices include front-wheel drive, as all-wheel drive isn't available.

Like all midsize sedans, the Mazda6 can squeeze five passengers into its cabin. We'd refrain from doing that often, though, as the backseat can be tight for three across. Rear leg room is decent at 38.7 inches. The trunk will hold 15 cubic feet of cargo, and the rear seatbacks fold flat to make room for bulkier objects.

All models including the base Sport Mazda'a i-Activsense suite of safety features. The bundle includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Grand Touring Reserve adds to that list a head-up display and adaptive headlights. The most expensive Signature trim boasts a surround-view camera.

The NHTSA gives the Mazda6 five stars for overall crashworthiness; the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick Plus for acing its crash tests and having excellent headlights.

Right out of the gate, Mazda's infotainment system includes 8 inches of color touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth compatibility, and two USB ports. An enhanced software that includes navigation and SiriusXM real-time traffic alert comes standard on the Signature and is optional on some of the higher trims.

The cheapest Mazda6 is hardly cheap when it comes to standard features. Among its niceties are cloth upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and dual-zone climate control. Rain-sensing wipers, LED lights, and and remote keyless entry with push button start all enhance the premium feel.

Compared to the Sport, the Touring throws in 19-inch wheels, a moonroof, two additional USB ports, an enhanced keyless entry system, and rear climate vents. The upgraded seats get lumbar adjustment and heating elements and are upholstered with leatherette upholstery.

To make the Touring into a Grand Touring, the first thing Mazda adds is the turbo engine and paddle shifters. Also standard is new-for-2021 wireless Apple CarPlay, 11-speaker Bose audio, SiriusXM radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated exterior mirrors with an auto-dimming function for the driver's side.

Tacking on the Reserve moniker includes luxuries like a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, and automatic power-folding mirrors. Inside, buyers will find leather-trimmed seats that are heated and cooled up front and heated in back. The driver's seat offers eight-way adjustment and the passenger seat can move six ways.

For a few bucks more than a Grand Touring Reserve, buyers can get the Carbon Edition. As the name suggests, the Carbon Edition – which is equipped identically to a Grand Touring Reserve – plays up a black-and-gray color scheme with an exclusive gray paint, black trim for the mirrors and grille, a black lip spoiler, and black 19-inch wheels. Red leather seats and red-contrast stitching for the armrests and console round out the look.

The Signature's price point is uncomfortably close to base compact luxury sedans from the likes of Audi and Mercedes, but the feature count on the flagship Mazda6 would make those low-spec German cars blush.

The Signature includes Nappa leather, real wood trim, and suede accents. It also gets a 7-inch driver information display, a surround-view camera, and navigation. Rounding out the luxury-minded interior is a frameless rearview mirror, ambient lighting, and unique stitching. On the outside, distinctive 19-wheels and a unique grille visually sets the Signature apart from the lower-tier models.

Compare Mazda6 Trims Side-By-Side