The 2008 Mazda6 comes in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. (The wagon has been discontinued for 2008. So has the high-performance, all-wheel-drive Mazdaspeed6.)
Two engines are available: Mazda 6i models come with a 156-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine; 6s models are powered by a 212-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. With either engine buyers can choose Sport VE (for Value Edition), Touring, or Grand Touring trim. All are well equipped.
Additionally, there's the base-level 6i Sport, offered only as a sedan ($18,990), but still equipped with air conditioning; cruise control; six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio; tilt and telescope steering wheel; power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry; a 12-volt power outlet; automatic headlight shut off; variable intermittent windshield wipers; rear window defogger; and 215/50 all-season radials on 17-inch alloy wheels. A five-speed manual transmission is standard; a five-speed automatic ($900) is optional.
The 6i Sport VE sedan ($19,750) and hatchback ($20,750) add a body-color grille; side sill extensions; eight-way power driver's seat; in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer; and leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle. New for 2008 is a standard security system. Again, automatic is optional.
Touring and Grand Touring models are now offered only with automatic transmission. Additionally, 6i Touring sedan ($22,240) and hatchback ($23,240) upgrade to leather upholstery; heated front seats and outside mirrors; and a 200-watt, seven-speaker Bose audio.
The 6i Grand Touring sedan ($24,090) and hatchback ($24,840) add HID headlights, fog lights, electroluminescent gauges, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Homelink garage door opener, and a power glass sunroof with sunshade.
The V6-powered lineup begins with the 6s Sport VE sedan ($22,210) and hatchback ($23,210). Except for the engine, and two 12-volt power outlets instead of one, equipment is identical to the four-cylinder Sport VE's. Again, a five-speed manual is standard, but the optional automatic is a six-speed ($950). Touring and Grand Touring versions add the same equipment listed above for about the same differential in price, except that 6s Grand Touring models ride on 215/45 all-season radials on 18-inch alloy wheels. Prices top out with the 6s Grand Touring hatchback ($27,750).
A six-disc CD/MP3 changer is optional ($500) on the base 6i Sport sedan. Optional on VE and Touring is the sunroof ($700). Grand Touring buyers can add navigation ($2,000). Sirius Satellite Radio ($430) and a cassette player ($200) are optional on all models. A remote engine starter ($350) is available only with automatic transmission. About a dozen accessories are also available, including several cargo-organizing options ($40-50), wheel locks ($50), and an auto-dimming mirror/compass with ($275) or without ($200) Homelink.
Safety features that come standard on all models include ABS, EBD, traction control, and a full complement of air bags: advanced dual-stage front, side-impact, and side-curtain. New for 2008 is a tire-pressure monitor.