2004 Mazda 6 S Sportwagon review from North America

No 4-wheel drive available at this time.

I just had to let you know that this is the best value on the market. After driving a gas-guzzling pick-up, it was nice to get back to a vehicle that is more economical.

I have enjoyed several "station wagons" in the past: Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Subaru. The versatility of the vehicle is great. Anyone who is looking at a SUV should consider a sleek wagon instead. Some people regard the wagon as a "grocery getter", but to be honest, I think they look much better than their four-door counterparts. The Mazda6 Sportwagon is no exception.

When searching for my new vehicle, I considered the following "wagons"; Audi Avant, Volkswagen Passat, Subaru Outback, and Volvo V70. The Mazda 6 is the most handsome wagon of the bunch. Although the trim is not as refined as the luxurious Audi and Volvo, you would be hard pressed to tell what vehicle you were in without the logo on the steering wheel. My Mazda came equipped with most options; leather, sunroof, Bose sound system, and airbags for all passengers. Comparing prices to the competitors, the same vehicle would be $2,000 to $10,000 more. I commend Mazda for making this the best overall wagon available in the states. Move over BMW and Audi... the Mazda6 has you beat with their competitive pricing, superb handling, and most important, reliability.

General advice for anyone looking for a new vehicle, Do your research! Edmunds.com displays the Retail and Invoice price for all vehicles (along with their options/packages). I found the information most helpful. Also, I would start the negotiation at the invoice price and NEVER go above 2% of the invoice. Once you have settled on your price, make sure you subtract any dealer or customer rebates/incentives. My wagon was $4,500 off the MSRP when I was done with the negotiations.