One of the main motivators for buying a premium or luxury car is its well-crafted cabin made of advanced materials, matched with excellent craftsmanship. This is why one would opt for the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch instead of the usual aluminum version.
Over the past few years, mainstream automakers have pushed the boundaries of what an interior should be. The difference in quality and refinement between mainstream and luxury cars has often diminished, especially when compared to the base models of most luxury brands.
As an example, the discontinued Japanese sedan for today’s article. This mid-size sedan was the flagship of this Japanese brand. It was universally appreciated for its premium interiors. Even if it’s sold in 2026, I’d argue that it not only looks good, but it will still set the tone for what a mainstream car interior should be. Without any further delay, let’s learn about this sedan and find out why its interior offers a better driving experience.
Mainstream brands that challenged luxury
Just as important as the exterior design is how the interior feels. When automakers started realizing this, their interiors started looking as special and comfortable as your living room. There are mainstream brands that offer interiors so premium that you’ll wonder if it’s worth paying more for a car with flashy branding.
Internal success of Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), which includes Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, began making a name for itself for its interior designs in the 2020s. Mid to high-end models from Hyundai and Kia, in particular, feature an interior that is based on creative material choices and geometric shapes. This is even more true when you look at the interiors of recent Kia models. Its cleverly structured dash and doors offer a variety of colors and materials, appealing to the occupants.
Climb up the ladder to these Hyundai and Kia models, and you’ll appreciate even more premium material options like Nappa leather and real wood trim. Standout models from the two brands in terms of their elevated cabin experience include the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy and the SX Prestige variant of the Kia Telluride. Both of these models offer cabins that feel like a moving lounge, while also using a handful of real materials.
Mazda’s reputation for premium interiors
Then, in the mid-2010s, Hiroshima-based Mazda was completely let go by Ford. The Kodo Design was introduced, and the Japanese automaker announced that they would be on their way to becoming a more upscale brand. The implementation was largely successful. Even in 2026, the brand is widely known for its vehicles that have set the standard in offering premium interiors.
Mazda’s premium aspirations began to take hold when it unveiled the Signature model. Anyway, Mazda interiors are already above their weight class, yet vehicles at this trim level offer a lot of plushness. Often, the interior of Mazda’s signature models was compared to that seen in entry-level or even mid-tier German luxury cars. Genuine Sen wood, Nappa leather and suede materials define the interiors of Mazda’s signature models, offering an elevated cabin experience that goes beyond the mainstream standard.
good things come in sixes
Now, the discontinued Japanese sedan that offered an interior that rivaled many German luxury cars is the only Mazda 6 in Signature trim.
A six-star cabin experience
Forget five stars. The Mazda6 offers a signature six-star cabin experience, especially next to Toyota, Honda and Korean rivals at the time. Touch the door panels and dash, and let your fingers sink into soft-touch surfaces. Leather and/or leatherette is also used on the upper door panels and parts of the dash, complemented by lashings of suede on the mid dash and doors. Sen wood is then used as an additional trim to set the mood in the Mazda 6’s crafted interior.
Next to the entry-level versions of the A4 and 3 Series, the Mazda 6 Signature felt like a real challenge. In those vehicles, real wood trims are optional extras, while more premium leather hides are premium add-ons. However, in terms of build quality, I’d give the advantage to the A4 and 3 Series, as these models have the signature German luxury car tank-like solidity that defines their interiors.
In my opinion, even the technical features are well balanced. There’s eight-inch Mazda Connect infotainment with wireless (in later model years) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch digital gauge cluster, a good Bose sound system, and a windshield-projected head-up display. While not cutting edge by 2026 standards, the tech features didn’t overwhelm the interior as much as today’s tech features and screens do. Finally, the tactile physical controls felt nice and crisp, something that will begin to disappear once the interior layout of the new generation CX-5 is applied to other models.
How much is a used Mazda 6?
The Mazda 6 was discontinued in the United States in 2021, meaning your only chance to get one is through the used market. Although the Mazda 6 remains in the form of the 6E, it is an electric midsize sedan co-developed with Changan. Anyway, when shopping for a Mazda 6, it means you’ll have a vehicle that’s at least five years old. When new, the 2021 Mazda 6 Signature sold for $35,900. Pricing for the base 2021 A4 starts at $39,100, while the base 2021 3 Series starts at $41,250. And yet, many of the truly premium interior materials are hidden behind optional packages.
Now, according to iSeeCarsThe 2021 mazda 6 Its average resale value is $20,606 or only 39.3 percent depreciation. Not surprisingly the Mazda6, being a Japanese mainstream sedan, sees better resale value retention than German entry-level luxury offerings. The average resale price of a 2021 Audi A4 is $20,687 or 49.3 percent depreciation, while the average resale price of a 2021 BMW 3 Series is $22,250 or 46.8 percent depreciation. Although it doesn’t have any premium badges, the Mazda 6 in Signature trim in its entry-level form can give the A4 and 3 Series a run for their money, while also depreciating at a much slower rate. Indulgences don’t need to come with a lot of financial guilt.
What’s it like to own a Mazda 6?
Did you know that many of us at TopSpeed have a Mazda 6? This includes me, as I have the 20th Anniversary Edition wagon (as shown). Well, we know a lot about these cars when it comes to the joys and quirks of owning them.
2018 facelift introduces refined sportiness
The 2021 Mazda 6 means the midsize sedan will be getting its second facelift. It wasn’t just an aesthetic change, as the Mazda 6 had improvements under the skin too. The sportiness of the Mazda 6 is already well documented at this point, but in the pursuit of a more premium driving experience, more sound deadening and front acoustic windows have been introduced. These are combined with improved suspension, increased chassis rigidity and recalibrated steering.
The changes resulted in a Mazda6 that offers more neutral handling, being slightly less agile than the 2016 facelifted model, but still sporty to drive. The suspension system received longer travel, larger shocks and rebound springs at the front wheels to keep the vehicle on the road. Powered back-to-back with pre-2018 updates, its ride quality has a sense of delicacy and supreme refinement. Finally, the steering also got a stiffer mount to make it feel more rigid in your hands.
a very reliable sedan
The Mazda 6 lineup is known for its reliability thanks to its strong 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine. The structure of this engine is robust which allows easy maintenance and repair. The 2.5-litre turbo version is just as strong, although its added complexity requires more diligent care. He was interested in engines manufactured from 2016 to 2019. pcv valves failedDue to which excessive oil is consumed. This has since been resolved and is still an easy fix. Still, as long as you follow proper maintenance procedures, this engine can easily last over 200,000 miles.
One of the main attractions of this engine is that it delivers power like a large-displacement, naturally aspirated engine. It has none of the extreme power delivery that typically plagues turbo engines of its era. Additionally, the engine is pressurized, which contributes to its strong reliability. However, something worth noting is that for those who choose the non-turbo version, it comes with i-ELOOP capacitor-based regenerative braking. I currently have another Mazda6, and although it improves fuel economy, it is an expensive consumable part. Then again, the last Mazda6 I owned reached the seven-year mark with no capacitors needing replacement.
- base trim engine
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2.5L Inline-4 Gas
- base trim transmission
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6-speed automatic
- base trim drivetrain
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Front-wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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187 hp
- base trim torque
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186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Make
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Mazda
- Sample
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mazda 6 sedan
- Section
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midsize sedan
Sources: Mazda, CarEdge, iCars, KBB
