2018 Mazda 6 TFL Expert Buyer’s Guide – Now You’re Playing with Turbo Power

2018 Mazda 6 TFL Expert Buyer's Guide
2018 Mazda 6 Sport. [Photo: Mazda]

Sport: From $22,840

For 2018, Mazda added dual-zone automatic climate control and Smart City Brake Support to the Sport trim. There are new 17-inch alloy wheels (pictured above), and new LED headlamps and taillamps. The Sport’s headlights are also auto-leveling, and there are LED daytime running lights.

Standard equipment includes the 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Sport is the only model that offers a six-speed manual transmission. However, you can get an automatic for an extra $1,050. The Sport features dual exhaust outlets, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist, and cruise control. Cylinder deactivation is only available on the automatic model. Automatic Sport models also get a Sport Mode button, whereas the manual does not.

The Sport trim comes with 6-way manually adjustable seats. However, it does have push button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, a trip computer, and a rearview camera. Mazda also features its 8.0-inch MazdaConnect infotainment system across the range, with USB and Bluetooth audio support. On the Sport, there are six speakers – you have to upgrade to the Grand Touring or higher to get the 11-speaker Bose system. There’s no navigation as standard, although you can rectify that with an SD card for $399.95.

For $625, you can add the i-ActivSense package, but only to automatic Sport models. That adds Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, automatic on/off headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. The model does come standard with eight airbags, an engine immobilizer, a tire pressure monitoring system, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.