Regular readers feeling a sense of deja vu---don't worry. It's not you. Five and a half months ago, I reviewed the 2020 Mazda 6 Signature in exactly this color combination and with exactly this equipment.
I had to go back and check. The only differences are the price tag (a small yearly increase in base price), the license plate and the fact that the window sticker reads "2021" and not "2020".
And that's just fine, because I LOVE this car.
2021 is a carryover year for the Mazda 6. Apart from making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on the Sport model, there are no changes. And that's a wise move, as the Mazda 6 is one of the best choices you can make for a family sedan if you also enjoy handling and performance.
Under the hood, it's Mazda's 2.5-liter turbocharged SKYACTIV-G engine. 227 horsepower, 310 pounds per foot of torque, zero to 60 in 6.4 seconds. The EPA fuel economy average is 23 city and 31 highway. That's partly because the only transmission is a six-speed automatic with sport mode. More gears would help bump up those numbers.
As we discussed last time, G-Vectoring Control Plus, 19-inch wheels, an independent front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars and four-wheel disc brakes make the 2021 Mazda 6 Signature a sweet handler. On my favorite Sierra foothill backroads, the Mazda DNA shines through.
There's been a $450 base price increase for 2021, so the Mazda 6 Signature starts at $35,750. The window sticker is at the end of this review so you can see for yourself, but among the standard equipment highlights at that price are a Nappa leather interior, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, a power moonroof, dual-zone climate control, navigation and radar cruise control with stop and go.
As before, the only extra-cost options on our tester were $100 for a carpeted cargo mat and $495 for the rich-looking Machine Gray Metallic paint. With $945 delivery, processing and handling fee, the as-tested price of the 2021 Mazda 6 Signature is $37,290.
All cars must change sometime. But the 2021 Mazda 6 Signature is so good that simply maintaining status quo for now results in a great car at a reasonable price. More of a good thing.
