1st Place – Mazda6 Grand Touring

Fast Facts:

1. PRICE AS TESTED: $31,490
2. ENGINE: 2.5L 4-cylinder, 184 hp, 185 lb-ft
3. TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
4. OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 29.4 MPG
5. TRUNK CAPACITY: 14.8 cu-ft

As a brand, Mazda is miniscule compared to every other automaker in this comparison. The manufacturer is in a constant battle against a sea of Goliaths, but this time, the little guy came out on top. So what makes the Mazda6 so good?

Well, first of all, it’s gorgeous. The 19-inch wheels, front grille, curvy wheel haunches and tinted taillights make the 2014 Mazda6 look upscale and sporty. The interior is equally appealing with a simple, elegant design that again feels upscale and premium compared to a lot of the competition.

The front seats may very well be the best of the bunch and the steering wheel feels great. The Mazda6 is the only car available here with adaptive cruise control, yet did not have navigation; navigation is a standalone item that needs to be purchased on top of any trim level. Between the front seats is a knob and dial control that mimics similar systems found in BMWs and Mercedes. The only downside inside the Mazda6 is a somewhat tight backseat.

Under the hood is an all-new 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 184 hp. The engine is plenty powerful, but the six-speed automatic transmission requires a heavy foot to downshift into a lower gear when more power is required. Otherwise, the transmission glides along and is one of the best units here. Steering feel is superb and, like a good Mazda, the 6 handles phenomenally for family sedan.

Some may want a larger vehicle, or a sportier one, but from a purely practical standpoint, a mid-size sedan has you covered. Need to haul more people or larger items? A local rent-a-car counter will gladly lend out a minivan or a pickup truck for a small fee; much smaller than the penalty of buying (and fueling) one of these large vehicles that are called upon on a handful of times.

Spacious, efficient and practical, mid-size sedans are designed for mass appeal and consumers are responding. After full-size pickup trucks, the four bestselling vehicles in America are mid-size sedans. This is why every mainstream manufacturer spends a lot of time and effort attempting to create an appealing car for the segment. And the work shows as it is hard to label any mid-size sedan on sale today as a ‘poor’; in fact, the majority are great. That said, is it possible for a new offering to stand apart from the crowd?

L.A Mazda would like to think so. Recently engrossed in a #GameChanger hashtag party, Mazda believes its new 2014 Mazda6 will revolutionize the mid-size segment. The automotive press has been gushing over this all-new vehicle since it arrived earlier this year, and AutoGuide is just another guilty party.

Original source: http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/07/2013-2014-mid-size-sedan-comparison-toyota-camry-vs-honda-accord-vs-mazda6-vs-hyundai-sonata-vs-nissan-altima-vs-vw-passat-vs-subaru-legacy-vs-kia-optima.html/5