6 appeal

MANILA, Philippines - When people ask me what midsize sedan I would recommend for them, I almost always reply, “Why would I bother telling you? You’d get a Toyota Camry anyway.”

I may be wrong, but judging from the sheer number of Camry sedans we see on the road, it seems three or even four out of every five new midsize luxury sedans are from Toyota.

Don’t get me wrong; the Toyota Camry is one superbly accomplished car – a veritable poor man’s Lexus (which it arguably is). It truly is a great buy.

But people flocking to it in droves are also missing out on some pretty cool drives. Take the Mazda6, for example. In pictures, it looks great. In the flesh, it looks simply sensational – almost like a four-door sports car.

And boy does it drive well! Mazdas have always been the BMW of Japan – sporty in looks and in driving dynamics (even as a four-door sedan). The P1,680,000 Mazda6 embraces the nimble, light-footed approach: a sleek body matched to an energetic 2.5-liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve motor with variable valve timing.

This powerplant generates 168 ps at 6000 rpm and 226 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. That’s way more than you need for Metro Manila driving.

Indeed, tipping into the throttle is enough to display the 6’s appetite for zoom-zoom. The combination of an athletic chassis, a high-performance engine, and a responsive 5-speed automatic with manumatic function result in exhilarating acceleration even in day-to-day driving. Keep the pedal to the metal and you’ll see 100 kph on your speedo in 8 seconds or so.

But it’s not just in a straight line where the Mazda6 shines. Approach an S-bend and marvel at the way the car hugs the road. And it’s not just wide tires-gripping-the-asphalt type of handling. This Mazda owes its agile character to its BMW-like tuning of its front double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension.

The engine speed-sensing electric power steering seems too light and lacking in feel at low speeds, but gives more feedback to what the front tires are doing and how much traction they have at higher speeds. Strong braking is via four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

Mazda also fitted the 6 with a state-of-the-art electronic traction and stability controls, similar to those found in high-end European luxury sedans.

All of which makes the spacious and well-designed cabin almost like a bonus. The interior might not be as luxurious as those found in the Camry and Accord, but it’s plenty comfy and cosseting nonetheless. It’s even got a power tilt-and-slide glass moonroof. And typical of Japanese cars, storage areas abound in the cabin.

The Mazda6 is truly a joy to behold. But the real joy starts when its driver turns on the ignition, shifts to Drive, and steps on the gas pedal.

THE GOOD

• Curvaceously sexy styling

• Smooth, strong engine

• Responsive handling

• High build quality

THE BAD

• Sporty cockpit could be more luxurious

• Pricey

THE VERDICT

• Its rivals may make you feel rich and dignified, but only the Mazda6 can make you feel ten years younger. Now that’s priceless.