So... I got to finally see the 2009 Mazda6 in person this morning. I know they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but damn. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the car looks bad. It doesn't. But it doesn't look like a Mazda. It looks exactly like a Camry. I'm dead serious, if it weren't for the Mazda badges on the front and rear you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Click the "View Pictures" button here.

Now click "View Pictures" here.

In real life they really look that similar too.

I'm just confused. The old 6 had a distinctive enough look to not be just another sedan, but Mazda went the other direction with this thing. In fact, that's probably the reasoning behind having a separate "World" version and a "North American" version. I guess they decided in order to make the car competitive in America they had to make it look almost exactly like the frontrunners. But in my eyes it loses its distinction. Again, I have no doubts that it is a better car than the 1st-gen, but now it's just another ho-hum Japanese sedan.

 

I'm not really a Mazda fanboi, but I do like the looks of the new 6, much nicer than a Camry IMHO. Camry's probably a more dependable car, but 6 looks better. Just saw one in a dealership last week.

 

all the cars in that segment look similar. Nissan's would look similar too.

 

I like the new 6, I think it's at least slightly more exciting than the Camry. But you have to figure, if Camrys are what's selling, why not target the unimaginative driver?

 

True. In the end, it's all about making money anyway.

I wouldn't mind test driving one to see how that new 4-banger compares to the old, especially with a 6-speed, but the only two on the lot were automatics, so I really wouldn't get a good feel. Guess I'll have to wait for a test drive.

 

The people that are buying these cars don't having styling at the top of their priority list.

 

I'd say the typical priority list goes something like this:

1) Friend/Consumer Reports said it was "nice"
2) 4 wheels
3) 4 doors
4) Radio
5) Air conditioning
6) Drives like a marshmallow
7) No steering feedback
8) Fuel economy
9) Power
10) Looks as plain as their dishwasher

Mazda may be in trouble with numbers 6 and 7.

 

What the frick!

It's the same car!

 

Looks similar but subtle differences make a Big difference. I wouldn't drive a freakin' Camry if my life depended on it!!

 

I'm Glad I got my G8 GT!

 

The Ford Mondeo is the best looking car in this category. Which is the same platform as the new 6. Too bad they don't sell it here...yet.

 

^^The Mondeo is a good car indeed.

 

they dont look the same to me at all. besides the whole 4 door 4 wheel thing.