On March 7, 2025, Mazda Motor announced the global discontinuation of the Mazda 6, marking the end of an era for one of the brand’s most iconic sedans. This news left many longtime Mazda fans, especially devoted Mazda 6 enthusiasts, feeling nostalgic.
In reality, production had already been winding down. In Japan, the Mazda 6 will officially cease production by December 2024. The North American market saw its discontinuation back in 2021, while in China, the model was phased out as early as 2023. As parts inventories deplete, new units will gradually disappear from overseas markets as well.
New overseas cars will also slowly stop as the parts inventory runs out.
Spanning 23 years and three generations, the Mazda 6 was once a strong contender in the mid-size sedan segment. However, with shifting consumer preferences and the rise of SUVs, its market competitiveness steadily declined.
There were previous reports that Mazda was considering a new-generation Mazda 6 with rear-wheel drive, but with the industry’s shift toward electrification, this vision may remain unfulfilled.
The Legacy of the First Generation
My first time behind the wheel of a Mazda 6 was in 2004, driving the groundbreaking first-generation model. It was not only the most successful iteration but, in my opinion, the only one that truly captured Mazda’s essence.
The second-generation Mazda 6 introduced a 2.5L engine but lost some of the agility and driving dynamics that made the original so special. By then, new competitors had emerged, offering better chassis performance and power, making the second-generation Mazda 6 feel less competitive.
For many enthusiasts, the real Mazda 6 will always be the first generation.
As for the final generation, which remained on sale until its discontinuation, opinions were always divided. While some praised its stylish design, others criticized its compact cabin space, which sacrificed practicality for aesthetics.
Despite its shortcomings, the latest Mazda 6 significantly improved in areas like noise insulation and comfort compared to its predecessors. However, given that the design was already a decade old, it struggled to keep up with modern standards.
Mazda 6 in the Broader Market
The third-generation Mazda 6 never quite reclaimed the success of its predecessor. Over the past decade, the mid-size sedan market has been dominated by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, while other competitors like the Nissan Teana struggled to maintain relevance, relying on aggressive price cuts to stay afloat.
In this landscape, the Mazda 6 felt more like a follower than a leader, receiving mixed reviews throughout its production run.
A Farewell to an Era
A friend of mine, a longtime Mazda 6 owner, recently shared his thoughts after hearing the discontinuation news:
"Seeing this today, I realized the Mazda 6 is truly gone. From 2002 to 2024, spanning 22 years and three generations. Its predecessor, the Mazda 626, ran from 1970 to 2002. That’s a 54-year history coming to an end—it’s truly the farewell of an era."
"My family’s Mazda 6 has been with us for 10 years, covering 140,000 kilometers. It has delivered the reliability I expected from a Japanese car—no major failures, no unexpected headaches. The only significant issue was last year when the front suspension bushings aged and cracked, requiring the control arms to be replaced. Unfortunately, during the repair, improper handling of the brake hydraulic lines led to a fluid leak."
"Over the years, we replaced the battery a few times, changed the tires twice, replaced spark plugs and brake pads twice, and changed the transmission fluid and fuel filter once. It's been worry-free ownership overall."
"Just last month, I took it on a long 3,000-kilometer journey. The car still drives smoothly, with impressive fuel efficiency—averaging 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers, thanks to mostly highway driving. However, at speeds above 120 km/h, the cabin noise becomes a bit unbearable, reminding me that modern cars have come a long way in sound insulation."
"I hope to keep it for another four or five years, pushing it past 200,000 kilometers. By then, electric vehicles and smart driving technology will likely be much more mature, and charging infrastructure will be significantly improved."
"Goodbye, Mazda 6."
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