Mazda’s largest sedan, their 6, doesn’t look or feel particularly aged despite it being 5 years since it first made an appearance on the automotive scene and one of the first to wear the marque’s now-widespread Kodo design language.
It did receive its first facelift, though minor, in late 2014 to bring it up to snuff with the latest showroom attention grabbers at that time as well as to bring its dashboard and other elements of the interior into line with the rest of their cars.
Unbeknownst to many, including us, Mazda were prepping a more substantial makeover behind the scenes and have revealed today that it’ll be shown at the 2017 Los Angeles Motor Show at the end of November.
Luckily, Mazda has chosen to not keep the world totally in the dark about what changes are in store for the newest 6, releasing a pair of images that quite usefully showcase the updated exterior and interior. Starting with its new fascia, it’s one that sees some significant influence from their second-generation CX-5, with particular resemblance surrounding the grille and bumpers. The car being showcased with the luscious new Soul Red Crystal paint further links it visually to the CX-5.
There’s also some alterations made to the light signature projected from the front LED illumination cluster, highlighted by new daytime running lights. Elsewhere, there’s a set of 10-spoke 19-inch wheels that, from the obscured angle seen here, puts one in mind of the rollers fitted to their CX-9 SUV.
Under that bonnet, the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine returns, but now equipped with intelligent cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy. That’ll be the entry-level motor, though, as Mazda have thankfully brought over the turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol from the CX-9 with output (likely) untouched at 170kW and 420Nm. It isn’t so much that the atmospheric engine wasn’t up to the task but rather that the consensus has always been the 6’s nimble dynamics could really do with more power and torque.
Inside, the interior has been redesigned to reflect a concept Mazda is calling “Mature Elegance”, creating a more refined cabin that exudes a more premium experience with authentic pale wood trim inserts crossed with high grain leather - very CX-9, basically.
The Mazda6 for 2018 will also be receiving a more comprehensive suite of driver-assist features as part of the now-standard i-ACTIVESENSE pack, adding active cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and city AEB. On the range-topping Atenza, they’ve even thrown in their latest 360-degree camera system.
Apart from getting a first peek at the refreshed Mazda6, the L.A Motor Show will also play host to the Vision Coupe Concept, appearing for the first time since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last month - incidentally, a car that could form the design basis for an all-new Mazda6 down the road.
For more on Mazda cars, check out our Showroom.
