The Most Reliable Mazda is the Only One Good for Over 200,000 Miles
No matter what they’re shopping for, everyone wants a car that can stand the test of time. Comfort, features, and value are also high on most priority lists. While there are many vehicles that can last up to 200,000 miles, just one Mazda model makes the top 10 list. With nearly 1% of Mazda6 cars sold cracking the 200,000-mile mark, it is one of the most reliable Mazda models around. Unfortunately, they’re only available as used cars these days.
The Mazda6 is rated as one of the most reliable cars
The midsize Mazda6 makes the iSeeCars list for longest-lasting cars, slotting in 10th behind a host of Toyota and Honda products. With a potential lifespan of 203,154 miles, it is the longest-lasting Mazda model. It just so happens to be one of the most comfortable cars in the segment as well. However, the Mazda6 is only available on used car lots these days. That said, its reputation for reliability means that even a used example can be a great value.
Why you can’t buy a new Mazda6
Whether you called it the Carpocalypse or Carmageddon, the Mazda6 fell victim to a strong push toward SUVs in America. As the Mazda6 got better, buyers bought fewer models. Instead, many opted for the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 SUVs, no matter how Mazda tried to improve the Mazda6 formula.
It all came to an end with the 2021 Mazda6. Years of flagging sales eventually led to the death of a luxurious and legitimately fun midsize sedan. And with its status as the most reliable Mazda model, it is a true shame that this car couldn’t make the cut.
The most reliable Mazda can be a used car bargain with lots of standard features
In its most recent guise, the Mazda6 came packed with a host of premium features. Even base models received a host of advanced driver assistance features for additional safety. Unlike its competitors at the time, the 6 came with standard blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The most reliable Mazda also showed up to the party with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking on every example. Not even the lauded Toyota Camry could make that claim until 2022.
While the final Mazda6 was available with a turbocharged engine, the longest-lasting models came with a non-turbo four-cylinder engine. This setup produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque in the final Mazda6 models. It’s this conservative output that helps keep the midsize Mazda reliable, as efficiency is targeted over maximum performance. That said, the final Mazda6 offered more compelling handling than similar rivals of the time. Even better, it offered heated and ventilated seats and wood grain trim; features that you can’t find in similar models outside the updated Hyundai Sonata.
Best years of the Mazda6
Looking back through complaints and recall data, it becomes clear that the 2021 and 2013 Mazda6 models are two of the best for reliability. In fact, neither the 2020 nor 2021 Mazda6 show any recalls, and just one complaint mars the 2020 version. Meanwhile, the 2013 Mazda6 saw just 15 total complaints and four recalls. However, two of those relate to the Takata airbag problem that has plagued millions of vehicles sold throughout the past 15 years.