This pretty much implies that the back and front seats are comfortable and there is a good amount of legroom front and rear. I tried the back seat briefly and found that I could have the front seat set for someone my size and still sit comfortably in the back. Door size was good and allowed for easy entry and exit of both front and rear occupants. The added bonus for me was that the front seats were heated and even at -40, I eventually had to turn the two-position seat heater to low.

Powertrain Options
As the second-generation Mazda6, the car has grown slightly in all dimensions and is available in two trim levels, the standard GS version and the top-of-the-line GT. Each of these models is available with a new 2.5-litre four that puts out 170 horsepower, or an optional 272-horsepower 3.7-litre V6.

If you like to shift gears, only the four-cylinder version can be ordered with a slick shifting, six-speed manual. All of the V6s come with a six-speed automatic. For the four-cylinder owners who wish to be shiftless, the optional automatic is a five-speed.

The Mazda6 is available with a new 2.5-litre four or an optional 3.7-litre V6.

Handling
A bit tough to assess in the winter, but with the winter tires that Mazda Canada had fitted, I could get around corners better than I expected. I do have to admit that on start-up, body roll due to a very cold suspension was non-existent. Once everything warmed up, body roll in the quickest and sharpest of corners was still minimal, but road bumps and irregularities were heard but not felt. The car stayed on my chosen cornering line much better.

Exterior
All of this is wrapped in a package that is definitely Mazda and evokes hints of the RX-8. The front fenders are defined by a crease on each side of the hood that gives the appearance of a lower aggressive profile. A swept back windscreen that flows into the roof and then down to a short rear deck keep the design crisp. From the side view, tires that fill the wheel wells help accentuate the lowered look without sacrificing ground clearance.

Packages
Both the GS and GT have optional packages for items such as navigation systems, stereo and interior finish. Regardless of such fluff, take the Mazda6 out for a test and you will soon know why this car was a favourite at my house.