2012 Mazda 6 I Touring Review - Do You Really Need The V6?

[@AndresSalazarAutos]

One slight correction, this Mazda6 uses the old MZR engine from Mazda (shared with Ford, though called Duratec with Ford). When Mazda split from Ford (even before I believe) Mazda stopped development and improvements over the MZR engines and moved on to the Skyactiv architecture. So no, the CX-5 did not share this Mazda6's engine and also the AT is a 5 speed.

[@kevinW826]

Very true. Last month I decided to sell my 2015 Mazda 3 hatchback and get a 2011 Mazda CX-7 with the MZR 2.5 5 speed Aisin auto. I needed the height of the suv and the comfort as I am done driving a low car. My sister in law and her husband have a 2015 cx9, the ford V6 engine and transmission. I didn’t want the 2.3 turbo and the awd. It’s the bare basic model and I’m happy with it.

[@EveeBarletta666]

Mazda X Toyota 🔥

[@SafeerJ]

I came to the comments for this haha

[@matthewfuller1129]

Do you need the V6? No. But do you want it? Probably.

[@bubblelex5051]

Well do you want to pass traffic with ease or struggle? You need the v6.

[@armanamir72]

I have a 2011 CX-7 2.5L and it has 300k miles and it still runs like new we never dealt with any major issues with the engine or transmission almost everything under the hood is original from factory👌

[@eleanormassaro5195]

I always heard it was the turbo engine that had issues on the CX-7

[@kevinW826]

@@eleanormassaro5195 that is true. I just got a 2011 Mazda CX-7 2.5 fwd. I’m very happy with it.

[@GanDtech]

The rear exhaust tips on the V6 make it look so much better

[@supermash1]

True. I have a mazda 6 2013 and just got an oil change today. The car ahead of me was a 2012 or 2013 mazda 6 v6 with the twin polygon shaped exhaust pipes. I was a bit jealous (as mine is only a 4 banger) because it definitely looks better. However I think it has enough power with 4 cylinders (and torque) so I wouldn't want the v6 because of the fuel costs. It's a good car, wish they didn't discontinue it. Mine only has 107,000 kilometers which is about 66,000 miles. Runs very well and drives very nicely.

[@paulcerny2992]

Good reliable car ,no problems, runs great.

[@meyo1860]

I have this exact car/trim level with 170,000 miles. Aside from replacing 4 wheel bearings at 150,000 miles, this car has been flawless and the plastics have not worn down. Lots of backseat room with a huge trunk that doesn’t have goosenecks hinges. The front seats are meh, the car struggles to get 23mpg combined and the front rotors warp easily. I’ve been waiting for this car to quit so I could buy something with more power, modern tech and better fuel economy, but now that car and gas prices have shot to the moon, I’m planning on keeping this car for another 5-10 years at least.

[@dave11686]

The Mazda6 is so underrated.

[@youwho02]

I have a 2012 Mazda 6 V6 Grand Touring and it is indeed a fantastic reliable car. It is my favorite car to drive with all its Zoom zoom! 189,000 miles so far.

[@matthewravenhouk7323]

My 2011 with this engine just rolled over 260,000 miles, and runs like a clock. One other detail that some might find surprising, is that these things are off road/ rally beasts. I've plowed mine through 18 inches of snow, mud, ice, you name it, and it's never let me down. They're great.

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

8:13 Just a point of clarification, the two companies had a partnership for decades, and while Ford's stake in Mazda peaked in the 1990s (owning about a third), Mazda was never "mostly owned" by Ford. And yes they did rebadge different models from each other's lineups, but both companies also developed platforms to share as well. In fact, this car is based on a modified version of the CD3 platform that the first gen 6 was built on. Mazda actually took the lead on the CD3's development.

[@schmacintyre6099]

I have a 2012 Mazda 6 that now has 254500 miles on it. She has been a fantastic vehicle. My only gripe is she eats headlights. No matter what brand, brightness level, price..etc, I only get about 1 year out of the headlights. Replacing these lights are such a pain in the butt. Other than a couple of recalls, replacing the neutral safety switch and a lot of brakes, rotors and tires, I absolutely love my Mazda 6❤

[@ricardocowan6353]

I have 202k on mine. It's not my daily driver so hopefully I can get as many miles as yours. I bought mine brand new and besides a battery terminal cable issue it's been a damn good car. Seeing yours has lasted this long makes me feel good about it. Thx

[@wigletron2846]

Switch out to HIDs with an auxiliary harness directly connected to the battery. I had the same issue and that fixed it for me.

[@ProjectMore69]

2010 M6S here with original headlights.

[@whatsindansgarage2542]

I think with their sales Mazda can STILL produce Mazda6 without going bankrupt and I don't think it is good for their reputation to discontinue the 6 in long run consider there is a good number of enthusiasts in their club. Their SUVs can be fun but there is no comparison between a sedan and a SUV.

[@paulcerny2992]

Love my 2012 Mazda6 ,very reliable.

[@Shadrach92]

The back seat is where I make myself known as well.

[@generallygeneral6956]

my 2009 4 cylinder mazda 6 is about to hit 180k and still is a good daily. got it from my dad at 160k and haven't had any crazy issues

[@Isle0fRed]

Zack, love the work you are doing. As a UK viewer, I hope one day you can visit our country to do some reviews on some of the cars driven in our country.

[@blautens]

We had a 2009 with a V6 and 2010 with the 4 - but it's hard to compare a loaded version with more of a base version. But neither let us down and both were quite fine to drive, although the V6 liked to boogie. Either way, still consistent in my 40 year experience with Mazdas - the BMW of Japanese cars.

[@0to60_]

I have the last year of that model and I love it

[@calebmoran5580]

Great video! I used to own a 1st gen with the v6 and the 5 speed manual transmission!

[@meyo1860]

Are you sure your 2.5 engine is paired with a 6spd auto? I’m 99.9% confident it’s a 5spd auto (unless they do things differently in Canada).

[@allenparks8706]

4cyl has a 5spd AT or 6spd MT and the 6cyl is 6spd AT only

[@marioboom7491]

That is correct, 2.5 engine is paired with 5 speed auto or 6 speed manual tranny

[@sebascc007]

This gen Mazda 6 styling is meh, but the european/international model has a diferent back and front bumper, looks so much better than the us model

[@sali-ali]

Also they're very cheap, currently I see them for about $2500 in Europe, I do plan getting one with a diesel engine.

[@nao_tomori]

im kinda bias, since my '04 6S is a v6, but i couldnt imagine owning the 4 cylinder version. i probably wouldve bought a Mazda3 hatch of similar vintage if i wanted a 4 cylinder car. granted, the v6 is rough to work on, but it redeems itself in driving experience and sound

[@kidskyflythefonz4961]

Boy you're telling me, it's such a pain in the ass but it's so much fun and highkey worth it

[@nao_tomori]

@@kidskyflythefonz4961 its a solid engine, but anything can be reliable if its maintained properly. you just get used to jobs taking a little longer, being a little more annoying, and needing more creative ways to use tools

[@kidskyflythefonz4961]

@@nao_tomori oh I know my 07 V6 gave me the biggest headaches but when I was cruising, racing, and taking curves, just felt so good 😊😊

[@nao_tomori]

@@kidskyflythefonz4961 yeah same. its a pain in the ass to work on, but a joy to live with. the first generation 6S has a liftback and folding rear seats, so its extremely practical in addition to being attractive and fun to drive. ive camped out of the back of that car then attacked some back roads on the way home. shes a fun lil do-everything car

[@juusbox]

the 4cyl is pretty quick when its paired to the manual

[@SaneSociety1]

Enjoying my 2012 Mazda 3, but would prefer something slightly bigger with more back leg room.

[@ASpaceMan991]

I keep getting recommended by ya and you have been popping up on reviews! I remember your oooold stuff, re subby!

[@ASpaceMan991]

also I hit over 286k on my engine.

[@ASpaceMan991]

forgot to mention, I have the spoiler, sun roof, mirror blinker edition.

[@davinp]

The Mazda2 was sold as the Toyota Yaris

[@ordlay23]

do you have a list of cars that have passed the BFB test?

[@LeoBakhSh]

Is the V6 in these model years made by Ford?

[@edgaryzen4925]

Whoa! What happened to the intro?? The cartoon Mazda3 with 80's tune??!! Bring it back!!! Edit: never mind, it right after the sponsor. You had me fool, Zack!

[@keepitretrox]

Is it worth 4000 for 91,000 miles

[@ProjectMore69]

dumb question, depends on a lot of factors such as its condition.

[@alexst-pierremetalhead2338]

I have a 2010 2.5 manual fun car to drive

[@nathanwright8616]

3:00 what was wrong with cx7 transmissions?

[@ShootingCars]

Not sure specifics, but I've talked to some Mazda Techs that worked on them at the time and they said any time they saw a Cx7 they knew it needed a transmission.

[@nathanwright8616]

oh. that’s pretty good to know

[@kevinW826]

The 2.5 had the Aisin 5 speed auto Toyota transmission and the 2.3 turbo had the 6 speed auto from ford I think. The fwd cx9 from 2008-15 had the same Aisin Toyota transmission, but if you went with the awd, it got the ford built transmission.

[@nathanwright8616]

oh thx

[@chasefisher8264]

@@kevinW826 Do you know if the 2012 Mazda 6 2.5L 6 speed automatics are good?

[@SafeerJ]

These had serious subframe corrosion issues but an otherwise great car.

[@intrepid_wandering]

The new ones look 100 times better IMO. And they drive like a flipping BMW.

[@vg4472]

Did not know it had a Ford engine learned something new.

[@canaboost]

That info is a little grey. If you read the wiki on the engine it reads that it is more of a Mazda engine that does then started to use and modify even to this day.

[@gedjones5977]

Maybe standard diameter bottle would be better than the “Greedy guy” extra large model you’ve acquired.