LOOKS

While the midsize sedan category isn’t exactly known for dazzling exterior looks, the Mazda6 does pretty well in this department.

The exterior is attractive, sleek -- and even a bit muscular. Not dazzling, but not boring, and one of the better looks in this segment.

With a revamped interior for 2016, the Mazda6 gets high marks. It offers comfortable leatherette trimmed seats, and a redesigned center console area that is noncluttered and attractive.

Legroom in the rear seats is about average for the segment, and up front legroom is very comfortable. Headroom is ample even for tall folks like myself.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

The 2016 Mazda6 features a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine. It offers 184 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. These numbers overall are not bad for the segment, but folks seeking more horsepower may consider other midsize offerings that offer engine upgrades.

The engine is a tad bit whiny, but still pretty strong. It would have been nice to see an engine upgrade offered for more power, but there is only the one option.

My test vehicle had an automatic transmission, but a manual transmission is also offered on the base model. The Mazda6 is a front-wheel drive vehicle, with AWD not offered in the United States.

My overall driving impressions of the Mazda6 were positive. It’s not blazingly fast, but compares well in the segment and you’ll get moving quickly enough. There is also a sport mode you can engage.
Also, the Mazda SkyActiv design means this is a lean machine and handles very well on the road. When navigating the roads it responds quickly to the driver’s actions and works well on windy roads.

TECHNOLOGY

I was pleased with the overall tech offerings in the Mazda6.

The touchscreen display has been upgraded in size to 7 inches, and the display is well-organized by category so everyone knows how to use it from the get-go.

The best part about the touchscreen in the Mazda is you don’t really have to touch it at all, as there is a control knob in the center console that you can use to navigate the tech interface. Voice commands can also be used to allow you to keep your eyes on the road.

The rearview camera (standard on all but the base model) was a helpful feature for backing up safely, and connecting your phone to the system via Bluetooth is a very simple process. This allows for streaming of audio through your phone to the vehicle’s sound system (6 speakers standard, or an option to upgrade to an 11-speaker system).

Navigation is offered as an option on the Mazda6, but I didn’t have it on my test vehicle so I can’t report how well the system works.

SAFETY

The Mazda6 earned high marks in government crash tests, and standard safety features on the Mazda6 include airbags and antilock brakes.

Optional features include rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring. Another option is a front collision avoidance system, which uses lasers to sense an impending crash and slows the car automatically to prevent the crash.

You can also set the Mazda6 to automatically lock itself as soon as you walk away from it, a helpful feature for those who might forget to lock their cars.

MPG
The 2016 Mazda6 does very well in the mpg category. It boasts official numbers of 26 city/38 highway/31 combined. During my time in the vehicle I averaged a tick under 30 mpg on average (29.7 to be exact).

This tops most of the vehicles in the midsize sedan category (Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord) as far as mpg performance. The only competitor that matches the Mazda6’s mpg is Nissan’s Altima sedan.

PRICE
The Touring model of the 2016 Mazda6 starts at $24,995. Mine was $29,315 after extra features were added (Bose stereo system, heated seats, heated side mirrors, power moonroof, rain-sensing wipers).
Base model of the Mazda6 starts just north of $21,000 (there are three trim levels -- sport, touring  and grand touring).

This is a very affordable vehicle, which will be one of the key factors drawing people to it.

BOTTOM LINE

With an attractive exterior, strong mpg and an affordable price, the 2016 Mazda6 has thrown down the gauntlet early in its efforts to take away market share from the giants within its class of vehicles. Unlodging buyers from their devotion to names like Fusion, Camry and Accord isn’t easy, but if people give the Mazda6 a test drive there is plenty for them to like and a few minds could get changed.

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Matt Myftiu can be foundon Twitter @MattMyftiu.