I had the opportunity to test drive the 2016 Mazda6 i Grand Touring with DriveShop, and what a "trip" it has been!
My First Impressions
When I first laid eyes on the Mazda6 i Grand Touring, my first thought was, “so.... THIS is a Mazda?” The answer? Yes, yes it is. The vehicle makes me think of a luxury sports car, but it's actually a midsize sedan (Nice!).
What’s On the Inside?
It comes loaded with so many features, that I did not get to use them all. I am a dashboard girl and when I get into a new car, I am looking at the seating, the speedometer and other overall amenities.
For me, I want to feel like I am piloting something special and the Mazda6 i Grand Touring did not disappoint. Some of my favorite features of the interior space was the Rearview Camera, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, Push Button Start, Dual Zone Auto Climate Control, Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column, Multi-Function Commander Control, 7.0 Color Touch-Screen Display, the Leatherette-Trimmed Sports Seats, the HUD (Head's Up Display) and the Trunk Space. You will find that the Mazda6 I Grand Touring has something that everyone will find interesting and fit their needs. If I had more time, I am sure that I would have gotten to try them all.
What’s on the Outside is Important Too!
As I said previously, I was super impressed with the exterior, because it was a beautifully styled vehicle. You will notice the 19-inch alloy wheels and the All-Season Tires and how they complement the style of the Mazda6 I Grand Touring.
My Overall Thoughts
As soon as I got the keys, I had to take it for a spin and immediately and I loved what I experienced. I adjusted my seats and synced my phone so that I could take advantage of the Bluetooth® feature and got out my sunglasses. The car comes with the usual SiriusXM radio so I set my favorite stations and there was no need to listen to the music that was on my phone. The next day, I took my sister (and her children) to the airport and I knew this was a great opportunity to find out about the luggage space. I was actually surprised at the trunk space, and while it did not fit all of her luggage (she's an over-packer), we still made it to the airport right on time.
I also made it a point to get it on the freeway and toll roads to see how it handles. I just had to see if it had some “get up and go”. Guess what? It does! I was expecting what I usually experience when I drive a 4-cylinder vehicle, but with the 184-hp, 2.5L SKYACTIVE-G DOHC 16 valve 4-cylinder engine with VVT, I definitely noticed a difference. I was expecting the ride to be lower to the ground, but believe it or not, I never felt like I was driving on the ground. I drive an SUV, by the way.
What I Didn’t Like
There was one aspect of the vehicle that I did not like and that was the color of the seats. My two children (ages 13 & 8) are somewhat messy, and I do not know about you, but having a darker color would be nice to hide the multitude of sins that can occur with my kids at times (Haha! No seriously).
Other than that, it is a great vehicle with some awesome features.
For more information, be sure to check the 2016 Mazda6 i Grand Touring out for yourself on the Mazda website, or visit your local Mazda dealer. You won't be disappointed.
Until Next Time!