The Upshot

It must be said, the disappearance of manually-shifted midsize sedans is a bummer. Generally fun to drive – especially in zoom-zoomy Mazda form! – and more capable than you might think, the sedan-with-a-stick is not to be missed.

And so, we have put together this 2016 manual Mazda 6 review for those looking outside the SUV-i-verse.

Jump to full review…

the full review

Here we’ll dive into the specs, features, and stories from the road to go with a bit of analysis on why we’re such fans of the third-gen manual Mazda 6.

Background

Japanese automaker Mazda introduced the third-generation 6 sedan for the 2014 model year. With sweeping lines courtesy of the company’s “Kodo” design language and the handling prowess Mazda bakes into all their cars, the new 6 was a winner.

It would also end up being the last 6 sold here in the States, which is a shame as it is an all-around solid car. When I bought it, used, in 2018, I was looking for a sedan that I could cart the family around whilst rowing my own gears.

In this Era of the SUV, that combination was hard to come by. When I found this particular manual Mazda 6 at the local dealership, the salesperson kept telling me the car had a manual transmission in the sort of tone that implies it’s a bad thing.

I wasted no time in plunking down the dough to secure one of the last great manually-shifted sport sedans available on this side of the pond – in my humble opinion. So, let’s take a look at what makes this 2016 Mazda 6 so special.

2016 Mazda 6 Specs

• Trim Level: Sport
• Engine: 2.5L Inline-4
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Output: 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque
• Driven Wheels: Front
• EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy: 25/37 mpg in city/highway driving
• Observed Fuel Economy: 31 mpg combined
• Seats: 5

Powertrain and Driving

SKYACTIV Power

Under the hood is a 2.5L inline-4 from Mazda’s SKYACTIV family of engines, the G to be specific. This SKYACTIV-G motor is something of a technological marvel.

Running a relatively high compression ratio – 13.0:1 – enables strong levels of power and efficiency, which normally means you’re on the hook for high-octane fuel to resist detonation.

However, Mazda’s merry band of engineers figured out how to run this bad boy on regular with such smart features as a long-tube exhaust manifold and domed pistons with a small cavity atop them à la diesel design.

This results in 184 horsepower and 185 torques with a combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg (in automatic form). For reference, a period Camry with the same sized motor makes 170 torques and achieves just 28 mpg combined.

Not only is this a neat bit of engineering, but it also comes from an automaker that owns just 2% of the market share. Toyota, with their dowdy Camry, lays claim to 12%. An impressive use of R&D resources you might say.

Now, this sort of power output is not going to set your hair on fire or win any stoplight drags. However, it is ample for getting around town and executing highway passing maneuvers with ease.

Of course, Mazda didn’t build its reputation on fire-breathing powertrains, they did so with finely-tuned finesse mobiles and the 2016 manual 6 is the very definition of this.

6-Speed Stick

As you can see in the gallery and our review video, there is a “Manual Preservation Gearbox Society” sticker on the rear passenger glass of this Mazda 6.

Like Car and Driver’s Save the Manuals campaign, this badge of honor denotes my undying love of the stick shift. Without a doubt, I am in the minority, but when you know, you know.

On that note, know that the Mazda 6 manual transmission is of the smoothie variety. Easy clutch action, crisp shift gate throws, and nary a ground gear. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

Nimbly Bimbly

Between the ease of low-speed maneuvering, high-speed stability, and the sensation that the steering wheel is connected directly to the road in the twisties, the 2016 Mazda 6 is effortlessly nimble.

As it’s not particularly quick, I generally take ‘er easy while cruising. But when I find myself entering the esses, or just hitting a bendy on-ramp, I can’t help but push the 6. And I daresay it likes it!

You can find the limit with ease and dial the car back without much drama. Certainly, understeer is the name of the game, but that comes with the territory on a front-wheel drive car.

In awarding the third-gen Mazda 6 a 10 Best award in 2014 and 2015, Car and Driver described the whole package as “punching above its weight class.” Exactly.

Rims

One thing I’d correct from a looks and handling perspective is mounting the size 19s that came on Touring and Grand Touring models in high-end tires.

In my perfect world, the 17 inchers on my Sport model would retain the snow tires currently mounted and I would have a set of the 19s strapped into summer rubber. Ride comfort would surely suffer but boy do they look dope.

The Cabin

A Cloth and Mouse Fur Affair

Insisting on the manual transmission means my 2016 Mazda 6 is, shall we say, light on amenities. Being an entry-level Sport model will do that and I’m good with it.

The upholstery features patterned cloth centers with a mousy fur-type outer wrap. It’s nothing special, and the seats are manually adjustable, but the material wears well and the seats themselves provide cross-country comfort.

With a little extra time, I would figure out how to swap in a set of Mazdaspeed front buckets from the first-gen 6 or one of the Mazdaspeed 3 generations for a bit of punched-up OEM goodness.

Family Friendly

There is a common refrain around ‘Murica that an SUV is required for families. This is bunk. I have three little humans and they all fit comfortably in the back when they were tiny with dual LATCH anchors and a three-point center seatbelt.

Now that they’ve aged into the double digits, I can even place one up front for more comfort…and a longer distance between punches.

As you can see in the review video, rear legroom for a portly adult such as myself – who measures an even six feet tall – is ample, though you would perhaps limit the number of said adults to two.

Do your Suburban and Highlander have more room for occupants to spread out? Yes. Are they fun to drive? Not even a little bit. I rest my case.

Ready for Adventure

Back to my rant on the silliness of SUVS. Let it be known that with the rear bench folded down and the front passenger seat folded back, you can fit a surfboard measuring 9 feet 6 inches long in the car. I do it all the time!

With that seat raised and children belted in, the trunk is more than capable of carting sleds, ski gear, and the like. Not to mention an incredible amount of toilet paper from a trip to Costco – which is considered an adventure by some.

Once, I drove the car, with my dad and an entire disassembled baby crib from St. Louis to San Diego. It fit with ease. We drove with vigor and it was good.

A Cold Dark Winter

During the long cold winters of New Hampshire, do I wish for heated seats? You bet I do. And I am a fan of sunroofs for the ventilation, but also the light. It can get a bit dark in the all-black cabin.

These amenities can be found on the higher-level trim lines, but good luck scoring that all-important 6-speed!

Infotainment

What’s a Touchscreen?

Considering you can drive a new car with an infotainment touchscreen that would have been a cutting-edge TV when I was a young lad, the wee “display” sprouting from the center stack in this 2016 Mazda 6 Sport may seem downright archaic.

But here’s the thing. It’s easy to use and it’s not distracting. I can stream Spotify off my phone and make hands-free calls via the steering wheel Bluetooth button.

I am well aware of all the latest entertainment bells and whistles available in modern cars, but the simplicity of my analog Mazda 6 is bliss.

Weak Stereo

Something I would spend money on upgrading is the Mazda 6 factory stereo. Though higher-spec models were offered with a burlier Bose system, my Sport model came with just four speakers.

One in each door, they are of the rinky-dink carboard-cone variety. I know because I removed them to be replaced with a decent set of Cerwin Vegas. An amp, sub, and more speakers would be wonderful.

2016 Mazda 6 Safety

Agency Ratings

For all its dynamic prowess, it might be easy to overlook the 2016 Mazda 6 safety rating. But there’s no need as both NHTSA and IIHS awarded the car their highest marks – 5 stars and Top Safety Pick+, respectively.

Digging into these crash ratings, you’ll find that the halogen headlights on my Sport model are rated “Marginal”, while the adaptive LED variety come in as “Acceptable”.

Anyone that’s paying attention while driving at night knows that LED headlights are far superior to old-school halogens, particularly when they are steering responsive.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

Though my 2016 Mazda 6 Sport does come with six airbags – dual front, dual front-side, and full-length side curtains – it does not have a single advanced driver-aid.

That being said, Mazda did offer quite the robust suite of such aids on fancier trim levels, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

Personally, I think these systems are a waste.

I’ve watched drivers of brand-new cars that come standard with a host of electronic nannies beeping and vibrating to warn them about broad-siding me on the highway during a lane change. And they go for it anyway.

Parking Brake

An interesting miss on this Mazda 6 is the use of an electronic parking brake. It engages and disengages by pressing and pulling a small switch on the center console.

This has the benefit of freeing up space versus a traditional hand brake lever, but you can forget about ripping e-brake donuts in the snow with this design.

Perhaps more importantly, if the battery dies and you have the parking brake engaged, there is no way to release it. Which means, you cannot roll the car in neutral and dump the clutch to fire it up. Naturally, I learned this the hard way.

Aftermarket Baubles

WeatherTech

I haven’t added much from the aftermarket to this 2016 Mazda 6 Sport, aside from the aforementioned Cerwin Vega speakers. But recently, I added a full set of these WeatherTech all-season floor mats.

They’re not cheap but boy do they fit like the proverbial glove and capture all the water and dirt you can throw at them. Plus, they’re made in America. I would strongly recommend them for any car.

Alternatives

When it comes to mainstream midsize sedans from the 2010s with a stick shift, options are limited. One definite alternative to the Mazda is the Honda Accord.

Like the 6, it can be had with a 6-speed manual that is renowned for its snick-snick action. During the purchase process, I searched for one with no luck.

I did, however, find a VW Passat with a manual. A slight step in cabin size for the Passat is accompanied by a step down in overall build quality. And I was unimpressed with the driving dynamics.

Ford produced their handsome Fusion with a stick but like the Honda, I couldn’t find one. The Subaru Legacy is an option, but that styling is, um, not great. 

Of course, if you’re in the market for a new ride, be sure to check out our list of the best family vehicles for dads.

Final Notes on this 2016 Manual Mazda 6 Review

It’s hard to overstate how solid the third-gen manual Mazda 6 is for everything from daily drive commuting to shuttling kids about town and blasting around twisty back roads on your way home.

Though it flies under the radar, the lines on this car are killer and with the 19” wheels, I would argue there’s not a better-looking mainstream sedan out there. Of course, I’m biased. I drive it every day and enjoy it every time. So, I’m happy to recommend this car to anyone in the market for a fun-to-drive midsize sedan