2006 Mazda 6

Mazda offers more body styles for the "6" than are available from any other midsize car, each engineered for the driving enthusiast. Delivering the sportiest driving experience in the category, the Mazda 6 is available as a conventional four-door sedan, a "five-door" hatchback, and as a station wagon. There are two series: the four-cylinder "i" version and the V-6-powered "s." Within each series are base, Sport, and Grand Sport trim levels. And new for 2006, a top-of-the-line Mazdaspeed 6 sedan has joined the lineup, with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive.

With its pointed nose, angular headlights, and standard 16-inch wheels, the Mazda 6 strikes a more aggressive pose than its midsize brethren. And that's just the base car. Variants other than the base-trim, four-cylinder sedan come with standard 17-inch wheels; 18-inch wheels are optional. With the Sport trim level comes deeper front and rear bumpers, side sill extensions, a body-colored grille, and a rear spoiler (even on the wagon, where it sits at the top of the tailgate).

These appearance items are also available for the more luxury-oriented Grand Sport, and even for the base-trim cars. As expected, the Mazdaspeed 6 is decked out even more conspicuously in high-profile plumage. Overall, the Mazda 6 range adopts the aggressive look of a hot-rodded import tuner car, helping distinguish it from the virtuous but staid competition.