2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T – Re-Driven – Final Drive in Unity With Soulful Sedan

2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: A genuine rider in unison with steed premium volume family sedan will be taking a hiatus after this year.

THE FAMILY SEDAN WITH SOUL:  In the quest for a near luxury family sedan, honed with driving enthusiasm in mind, and priced for those demonstrating good fiscal sense, there is but the Mazda 6 or as some say Mazda6. In fact many have observed that the introduction of the 2.5L turbocharged Signature trim knocked on the door of entry Audis, BMW’s, and Benzes.

UNDER-APPRECIATED, HOPEFULLY TO RETURN: Literally within days after Roadblazing.com had an encore stab at a 2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5 Turbo, Mazda U.S.A. announced the current model year’s production would be it’s last for Americans. Clearly, even among takers of automotive “Jinba Ittai,” the culprit is the current overwhelming preference for unity with crossover steeds such as the brand’s popular CX-9, CX-5 and CX-30. Stirred with driving passion by the emotional Soul Red hue of the supplied test 2021 Mazda 6 Signature, musings persist that this machine “Deserves to Be Back” (in the guise of an anticipated rear / all-wheel drive longitudinally powered version).

2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5 T Driving Hits:

  • 227 to 250 horsepower = +39 bump (62 hp with minimum 91 AKI octane unleaded gasoline)
  • 320 pound-feet = +129 pound-feet torque = 71% > standard atmospheric aspirated 2.5L Skyactiv G engine
    2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: turbocharged twin-cam 2.5L engine churns out 250 hp / 320 lb-ft torque on super unleaded, still returning 26 combined MPG
  • 6-speed automatic torque converter planetary transaxle, while low on gear ring count to the competition, betters most on quick down-shifts for throttle braking capability
  • More energetic acceleration above 85 miles per hour @ 3500 rpm to redline vs. non-turbo Mazda6 Touring 2.5L
  • 27 combined miles per gallon, 508 miles highway range in near luxury front drive family sedan.
  • ABS torque vectoring and G-Vectoring standard
  • Fully independent suspension delivers compliant springing with taut damping
  • Falken Ziex tires fitted to 19″ smoked alloy wheels make for a refined ride
    2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Compliant sprung fully independent suspension w/ taut damping allows 19″ Falken Ziex tires on alloy wheels to deliver a smooth but responsive ride.
  • Assembly with tight tolerances and premium materials knocks on door of entry luxury sedans

2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T Driving Misses:

  • Falken tires trade out on outright dry grip
  • G-Vectoring does cut back on power in fast corners
  • Lacks an all-wheel drive option
  • -15% Combined fuel economy vs. naturally aspirated Mazda6 Touring 2.5L
  • Some flinty powerplant noises at idle

What It Has Got:

  • Pricing: from $25,470 (incl. destination) for a 6-speed manual 2021 Mazda 6 2.5L Sport
    • As tested top 2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T trim priced at $37,390
  • Sensuous, gently flowing sinewy Mazda 6 sedan Kodo styling profile
2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Cloaked in passionate Soul Crystal Red, the sensuous yet muscular profile basks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan lakefront.
  • Large wheel arches accommodates up to 19″ wheels
  • Accommodates 5 adults generously & 16 cubic feet of stuff in the trunk
2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: 2nd Row seating

 

2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Nicely carpeted trunk for extra sound insulation
  • Exquisite build, materials and control details levels
  • Comprehensive standard feature set
    • Keyless entry, push button ignition; 2-zone automatic climate control;
    • LED headlights & taillights, delay windshield wipers
    • Auto dimming rear view mirror, Reverse power tilting side mirrors
    • 7.0″ TFT variable triple dial gauge cluster; 8.0″ MazdaConnect media display w/ remote dial Command controller
      2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Android Auto (and Apple Car Play) smart phone projection included
    • Android Auto, AppleCar Play and MirrorLink phone projection
  • Excellent safety features & ratings
    • IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus
  • Driver assist tech (standard)
    • Pedestrian & vehicle collision avoidance braking, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning, lane keep assist, fully adaptive cruise control
  • 3 year / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper, 4 year / 50,000 miles powertrain warranties
  •  

What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

  • It’s not an SUV (apparently a no-no for most contemporary Americans)
  • Front seats short in cushion depth and low in torso bolstering
  • Row 2 entry snags heads of taller adults
  • Front center armrest distant from console shift lever
  • Infotainment display is last generation Mazda
  • Infotainment display buggy
  • Infotainment display loses touch control capability
  • Dim climate control display & sunwashed steering wheel spoke switches
  • Android Auto phone projection requires “parking brake” activation to initially initialize
  • Traffic Jam Assist autonomous steering only works to 40 mph
  • Volume brand warranty duration, scheduled maintenance not included

Standout Feature(s) on 2021 MAZDA 6 SIGNATURE 2.5T :

  • Unique wire mesh grille, lower front fascia chrome accents, trunk lid spoiler
  • Heads Up Display w/ traffic sign recognition
    2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Navigation, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, and road sign recognition all in the Heads Up Display
  • Native infotainment navigation map w/ TravelLink subscription
  • Additional autonomous driver assistance
    • Traffic jam assist enhanced lane control steering assist, slow speed pedestrian & rear traffic collision avoidance braking; rear side traffic braking 
    • 360° surround view cameras, Adaptive front LED headlights
2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Advanced driver assistance includes fully adaptive cruise control, pedestrian & collision avoidance braking, blind spot monitor and blind spot collision avoidance braking

 

2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: Bird’s eye surround camera integrates rear cross traffic warning monitor
  • Semi-aniline Nappa leather seating, heated & ventilated power front, w/ driver’s 2 position memory, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats,
  • Aluminum trim & bezels, microsuede middle dash accents, 10.25″ TFT variable gauge cluster, unique 2-zone automatic climate control panel
    2021 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5T: precisely finished seams in panels and exquisite materials such as Ultrasuede wood mid-dashboard accents & aluminum bezels
  • Rain sensing windshield wipers; Adaptive steer LED headlamps; Power Moonroof; Reverse power tilting side mirrors.
  • Comfort access & push button ignition

Roadblazing.com Says: Volume brand, bordeline prestige sedan is Going, Going, Going….

SEE ROADBLAZING.COM’s COMPLETE BOTTOM LINE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY OF THE 2018 MAZDA6 SIGNATURE 2.5T BELOW

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WHAT: 2018 Mazda6 Signature 2.5T flagship mid-size family sport sedan. Update of mid-cycle refresh of GJ1 3rd generation.

 

Standard Power: transverse 2.5L DOHC 16V DI variable nozzle turbocharged gas I-4 = 250 hp/ 310 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm+ 6-speed torque converter planetary automatic transaxle.

Note: Using 87 RON octane unleaded = net horsepower drops to 227.

WHAT (A) STYLING (DIFFERENCE): Update brings subtle tweaks what was already arguably the most sensual fastback profiled volume mid-size sedan = KODO +1;

Pentagonal grille goes from horizontal slats to dim mirror-finish hexagonal lattice; Chrome band extends under LED headlamps housings which now incorporate fog lights and bolder white DRLs;

Rear trunk lid chrome band bisects wrap around LED tail lamps; Entire bumper cover matches body color with a mini simulated diffuser at the bottom center; Dual chrome exhaust tips are now beveled and more flared;

 

WHY: The most driving focused of volume mid-size sedans needed forced induction to compete;

An automotive enthusiast since an orange toy VW Beetle ended up in his playpen and following him everywhere, George Straton has been chief editor at ChicagoNow.com/Drive-He-Said automotive lifestyle blog since 2010. In 2017 George established Roadblazing.com, dedicated to accurate automotive reviews, news and road trip stories. George is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Phoenix Automotive Press Association. George also happens to be an attorney and Loyola University of Chicago Ramblers fan. Present ride: 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo AWD Hatchback.

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