The midsize Mazda6 made a comeback in 2008 after its 2006 model. Featuring small tweaks to its overall features; the Mazda6 to this day is obtainable as a 5 door compact, however, the Sports Wagon is no longer offered. The Mazda6’s hot sports edition, the Mazdaspeed6, was discontinued in 2008.

The auto experts at carexpertgroup.com scoured the Internet for all the richest reviews on the good old Mazda6 to compile this full review. Next, to write an extra informative review, we incorporated their firsthand thoughts of the Mazda6. So, in this blog you will get to know about the 2008 Mazdaspeed6’s performance, specs that it offers, a bit about its comfort, its overall quality, and much more.

Buckle up!

In this blog, you will find

• Overview – Still a fun-to-drive sedan?                                                                     
• 2008 Mazda6 – Style & Appearance                                                                         
• 2008 Mazda6 – Performance                                                                                        
• 2008 Mazda6 – Quality & Comfort                                                                          
• 2008 Mazda6 – Safety Features                                                                                
• 2008 Mazda6 – Features Offered                                                                         
• Wrapping it up!                                                                                                               
• What We Like                                                                                                                 
• What We Didn’t Like                                                                                                  
• Quick Specs                                                                                                     

Overview – Still a fun-to-drive sedan?

In regards to room and convenience, the 2008 Mazda6 falls a bit short of its rivals, but still, it remains to be one of the best fun-to-drive budget-friendly sedans.

Its base 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 156-hp horsepower, whereas its upgraded 3.0-liter V-6 produces 212 hp. The baseline 2008 Mazda6 variant comes equipped with a 5-speed stick shift as well as a 4-speed automatic transmission (offered as an alternative) plus the V-6 engines may be paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission too!

The Mazda6 is over 100 pounds’ light (in weight) than other mid-size automobiles, so don’t get put off by its mediocre horsepower statistics. Featuring its excellent and polished 4-cylinder engine plus manual gearbox, the 2008 Mazdaspeed6 feels snappy, whereas its V-6 seems very torquey and fast at just almost any pace, it doesn’t matter if it’s the auto or manual stick shift. The V-6’s choppy pedal adjustment prevents this sedan from being as enjoyable as it ought to be. So, its 4-cylinder engine’s fuel efficiency is 21 miles per gallon in urban areas and 29 miles per gallon on the highway – which makes it the perfect pick if you love the manual transmission.

Among the Mazda6’s top-selling features is its handling. Its handling is quite swift and precise, as well as it is extremely stable around the corners, offering a close to zero body tilt. Overall, it offers a smooth and responsive driving experience but it sure gives a stiff response if you drive it over potholes or railroads.

2008 Mazda6 – Style & Appearance

The 2008 Mazda6 is starting to appear a bit old, however, its design has propped up amazingly over the years, considering it’s a 2008 vehicle.

The latest edition of the 2008 Mazda6 debuted a good 13 years ago, thus, there is nothing revolutionary about the 2008 Mazda. Yet, the Mazda6’s ability to deliver efficiently while staying fairly new after a very long tenure is a nod to its aesthetic quality. Because of this sedan’s “subtle body structure” plus “notable grille design,” a lot of folks believe that the elegant Mazda6 appears in sharp contrast among the other midsize family sedan competition. According to Mazda Fanatics, Mazda’s other purchasable body version, a 5 door city car, strives to bring convenience without meddling with the vehicle’s appealing look, it is a remarkable masterpiece achieved by concealing the hatchback hence, the car looks like a regular sedan. The appearance of the Mazdaspeed6 has been described as “sporty, stylish and adorable” by many gearheads.

The Mazda6 hatchback offers a fairly sedan-like appearance and for many folks, the fastback look is much more appealing than its typical 4 door sedan look.

The interior of the Mazdaspeed 6, which was rated as one of the finest 13 years ago, has now become obsolete, yet it somehow continues to appear aesthetically appealing. In 2021, its climatic and sound settings seem to be overly weak in the driver’s field of view, plus its buttons and keys are needlessly strange (featuring buttons that seem to look like knobs), even though the screen is mounted higher, it’s unobstructed speed-o-meter gauges, as well as simple-to-rotate knobs that can adjust the music and temperature controls, are the personal favorites of ours.

We also loved its minimal and futuristic appearance (of that time) blended with appealing components. Its nickel finish around the broad center stack featuring all the control knobs looked somewhat nice and decent. Its other notable design elements include a bigger speedometer plus tachometer, as well as indicators that were backlit in a continuously flickering, easy-to-read dark red glow.

2008 Mazda6 – Performance

Well, it has been 13 years, and by now we all know that the handling and agility of the 2008 Mazda6 have been its defining feature; high engine performance along with a V-6 is indeed an extra advantage, even for the 4-cylinder fuel-efficient variant.

Mazda has earned a rep throughout these recent times for its sharp steering as well as a joyful experience of driving that well surpasses the retail value of its automobiles. Most critics are comprehensively satisfied with the overall driving feel and power of Mazda6.

Mazda’s 2008 variants are powered by a 2.3-liter, 156-horsepower 4-cylinder unit that many folks describe as a solid runner, although just when it is running at higher RPM.

Furthermore, the main reason to pick the 4-cylinder instead of its optional V-6 is the fuel efficiency and the reduced cost. According to the Mazda speed six reviews, the S variant’ got updated to a 3 liter V6 that produces 212 horsepower as well as 197 lb-ft of torque. The 2008 Mazda6 seems to go to 60 miles per hour in approximately eight seconds straight, and that’s decent, although a tad bit slower than its rival speedsters.

According to Car Expert Group, its standard 4-cylinder is passably perky having a stick shift but it’s slow and sluggish when you switch over to the automatic variant. Although the V6 is significantly stronger, yet optimum performance requires high RPM functioning. The standard Mazda 6 Sports trim grade, is just offered in a sedan shape as well as it primarily has a 4-cylinder petrol engine. Some other trim models surely come with both engine options.

2008 Mazda6 – Quality & Comfort

The 2008 Mazda6 features plenty of front passenger space, but a small amount of rear legroom, plus flexible luggage capacity. As per our car experts, its front seats provide sufficient legroom as well as ideal ground clearance for tall people, although its seats will need bigger cushions. Throughout the rear side of the Mazda6 midsize sedan, its passenger backseat is spacious enough for two grownup individuals and sometimes it can easily accommodate 3 individuals.  The interior of the 2008 Mazda6 is decent, although not first-class, while the trunk space is sufficient too.

The 2008 Mazdaspeed 6 has outstanding cargo capacity as well as interior comfort for a midsized automobile. Car Expert Group was delighted to see that all variants feature large and well-carved cargo compartments, also this sedan’s trunk will not be able to handle heavy things, but the hatchbacks can do so pretty easily. This sedan offers a 15.2-cubic-foot cargo room, whereas the hatchback offers a spectacular 22-cubic-foot cargo room that extends to 59 cubes if you fold up the rear seats. According to our experts, there is excellent interior space, including rear under-floor space in the hatchback variant.

People are growing increasingly concerned with interior components as well as manufacturing quality, but if there is an issue with the 2008 Mazda6, it’s the legroom. Its simple and blended interior components end up making the Mazda6 feel a little bit less advanced and sophisticated than a few of its rivals. The majority of components are appealing, however, they are still a pinch below in reliability especially in comparison to what gets offered in the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Nevertheless, for some folks, the interior quality might appear to be pretty decent for the cost.

Although it’s entertaining to whip your 2008 Mazda sedan through the curves, aggressive driving reveals the Mazda6’s second flaw: road noise. Its raging, scratchy sounds coming from the bonnet and exhaust greatly divert attention from driving experience, if you ask us, this is a severe drawback.

2008 Mazda6 – Safety Features

The absence of traction control is indeed a drawback, however, apart from that, the 2008 Mazda6 is a reasonably safe car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) separately crash-tested the Mazda6 and found it to be remarkably safe and robust.

Mazda received the NHTSA’s top rating for frontal collision safety in 2008, earning a maximum of 5 stars, plus a 4 out of 5-star rating for flank hits. This sedan also received the manufacturer’s highest rating, “excellent,” during frontal impact testing. When we talk about its standard safety qualities, the Mazda6 provides the regular rundown;

• Anti-Lock Brake Pads
• Curtain Airbags
• Front-Seatbelt Pretensioners
• Multiple Front Airbags
• Side-Impact Airbags
• Tire-Pressure Tracking
• Traction Management

All the features mentioned above are standard throughout the Mazda 6 variants. Although, quite shockingly, digital stability assistance is not offered with the 2008 Mazda6 models. It however includes LATCH connections for attaching children’s safety seats.

The Mazda6 doesn’t have additional safety measures for the 2008 model. When seated on the driving seat of a 2008 Mazda6, our experts report that sight to the back is restricted by the included flap on hatchbacks, posing a possible safety risk. Apart from this particular setup, viewing is excellent from all angles.

2008 Mazda6 – Features Offered

The 2008 Mazda6 comes equipped with a slew of interesting goodies and features, particularly when you continue climbing up their trim levels.

The 2008 Mazda6 does not miss whenever it refers to viable technology, although the customization options aren’t extensive, your 2008 Mazda may still be tweaked.

The basic components of the 2008 Mazda6 differ by model class, as one might assume. According to Car and Driver, most grades of 2008 Mazda6 have:

• A 6 Speaker AM/FM Radio
• CD Player
• Cruise Control
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• Steering-Wheel-Mounted Audio controls

The Mazdaspeed6 Sport VE additionally provides:

• An 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
• Leather-wrapped steering featuring a shift knob

According to our experts, the Mazda6 Touring variant also comes equipped with:

• A seven-speaker AM/FM/satellite radio/CD
• Bose sound system with a 200-watt amplifier
• Heated front seats
• Leather-trimmed seats

Whereas the Mazda6 Grand Touring, which is the top-end variant, comes equipped with:

• A power sunroof
• Electroluminescent gauges
• Fully automated climate control

Additional components on the Mazda6 are mainly confined to those found on higher model versions. These higher models include features like the availability of a sunroof and a speedy navigation system. But, to get your hands on these features, you’ll need to go for the Mazda6 Sport Value model or the Mazda6 Grand Touring model.

Also, keep in mind that the navigation system offered in the grand touring model is voice-activated which is of course a hyped-up feature in cars today, but considering that this feature was introduced in this car a good 13 years ago might cause some thoughts of it not being up to the mark. Well, it is!

Other optional features that you can get by just adding some bucks to your budget are the 6 Disc CD Changer, automatic dimming option in the rearview mirror with compass, and much more!

Wrapping it up!

By the time you reach here, you might be having confusing thoughts about Mazdaspeed6 and its other variants right? Well, to clear it up, we are going to give you the pros and cons of the car so you will know our opinion and thoughts as well!

Given below are all the specs that are offered in this car.

Quick Specs