2009 Mazda6: A Disappointment

Over the past several months, Mazda has been showcasing their new mid-size trio with both auto show appearances and photos on the Internet. Called the Atenza in other parts of the world, the new redesign which has been receiving a great deal of positive praise and anticipation of its arrival here in the states.

However, the car that has been traveling the auto show circuit is not the same vehicle the United States will be receiving when it goes on sale here later this year. In spy photos recently published online, Mazda fans will be saddened to see that they will have to settle for a water-down version of the aggressively-styled Atenza.

When comparing a photo of the Euro- and Japan-spec Atenza to North America’s 6, you can see that we won’t be receiving the stylish front bumper, the futuristic-looking headlamps or the floating Mazda badge. Instead, the Americas will get what looks like a bloated Mazda3 with cheap-looking gray foglight housings and overly-emphasized wheel arches.

Looking at the rear end of the vehicle, it looks about as good as the front. Bizarre taillights, a trunk-mounted license plate location, and a pair of oddly-shaped exhaust tips take away from the simple, yet functional design of the Atenza.

Mazda enthusiasts were excited for the redesign, but now are heart-broken as to what we have ended up with.

Full story: 2009 Mazda6

Wow, you’re right. It’s really sad how much it’s been dubbed down from the Euro version. Here’s a shot of the much better Euro car: http://www.automoblog.net/wp-c.....mazda6.jpg

Ah geez! WHY DO THEY DO THIS? WHY? That Bob Graziano is a real fuckin idiot, I bet he’s a ford hack, to destroy what could potentially threaten future Ford models. WHat afucking shame, the headlights shrunk making the fender flares look WAY TOO BIG; it does look like a BLOATED 3… terrible, they should have LEFT THE PROPORTIONS ALONE!

Oh crap… why did they do that? The picture Chris showed is really way off different from the one in this post.

I’m very turned off with the looks of the new 6!
I’m an avid Mazda 6 owner and considered opting out for the 2009. It’s too cute (a girl car!) no disrespect ladies if you look this sexy I’d date you. My Mazda 6 made me want to drive it all the time this one has lines that are very soft and mild. In the sedan market every auto maker went for the muscle and you went for the beauty. Like I said it’s ok but you should have took a shot at upper middle sedan market. With the year off I thought you would go for it like Lexus did. Make a sexy, muscle car! More horsepower, aggressive looks, and gibe up some of the beauty marks and combine the beauty and the beast !,that’s what the baby boomers want. Not another Sunday driver but an everyday driver with heart of the lion. (zoom-zoom)

I was really disappointed in this latest decision by Mazda. It seems that they are so intent on blending in with the Accords and Nissan Altima’s of the world that they will turn their back on the demographic that made the car a success in North America. The reason for their slow rise from the initial introduction of the vehicle is because they did not put the fit and finish that they did into the CX9, which we also own.

I am going to look into how to import a vehicle directly from Japan myself if this is possible. I will get back to this forum to share my findings should it be a viable option. It seems that the cost would be worth it if I could get my hands on a dissel version of the hatchback or even the sedan which I thought was much more appealing than he stretched out bloated version that Mazda Canada tried to call ” an instant classic”, what a laugh.

In the event that I cannot import one I will jump ship, spend a few more bucks and get and Infiniti G sedan with a 6 speed manual gear box..

J, you can indeed import one from Japan, but you have to be very careful, since the EPA is very strict on imports. That’s why they have so many more cars overseas than in the States, because it’s very expensive (around $2 million) to make sure safety is up to EPA standards. It’s a very bureaucratic process.

I’ve looked into importing a Fiat Coupe and a Mitsu FTO from Britain and Japan, respectively. It would be very expensive.

However, if the car is certified by the manufacturer to be similar enough to another vehicle already in the states, then you should be in the clear.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming article about this, and best of luck with your search. Please keep us up-to-date.

I’ll put you in contact with a rep from the EPA which should speed up your research - just Contact Me and I’ll talk with you about it.

Thanks Chris,
I have recently changed the place of import to New Zealand as they sell the left hand drive model, Japan uses a right hand drive. Will definitely check into whether the cars meet the EPA standards as per your suggestion.

If I succeed in finding an inexpensive way to get one here, maybe it will become a collectors item (lol). When I am getting closer to making the decision I will get in contact with you. I am in teh process of setting up a business so this is car import would not be happening until things slow down.

Once again Chris thanks for the feedback.

no way…the north american version has a 3.7L with 272 HP..EU version max is 2.5….and the back exhoust looks very nice…resembles the lexus LS…