The Mazda 6 was a fast-driving alternative to niche sedans like the Camry or Accord. When it launched in 2014 with its extensively redesigned body and updated SkyActiv technology, Mazda offered a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. edmonds The responsive gas engine, precise steering feel and agile handling were praised, but it came at the cost of a wooden, overly harsh ride.
The Mazda 6 received some technological updates for the 2021 model year, marking the first time that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across the entire lineup. It was still a worthy alternative to the Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, or Honda Accord car and driver It is ranked second among the best midsize family sedans for 2021, just behind the first-place Accord. This is high praise for a vehicle competing in a field of new rivals backed by more modern platforms, new engines and abundant technological features.
By that time, the third-generation Mazda 6 platform was already seven years old, so it’s interesting to know how it retained its value despite its stellar reputation. 2021 was also the final model year of the Mazda 6 in the United States. kbb data The suggested resale value of a 2021 Mazda 6 in 2026 is around $14,850. From this, we can verify the actual five-year depreciation by comparing it with the car’s sub-$25,500 base price, and it turns out that the Mazda 6 has lost 41% of its value since rolling out of the dealership.
The numbers align with Mazda’s average depreciation curve
according to carage dataBrand new Mazda cars and crossovers will depreciate an average of 40% after 5 years. This is in line with the five-year depreciation of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda 3 hatchback. The 2021 Mazda CX-30 leads the pack, with KBB revising its depreciation forecast to 14% over the past 3 years from 23% not long ago. This is impressive, considering that the CX-30 is essentially the fourth-generation Mazda3 in a crossover body, especially considering that the equivalent Mazda3 loses value faster than its crossover derivative.
As mentioned above, the 2021 Mazda 6 has a resale value of around $14,850, which puts the trade-in value at $12,800 according to KBB. edmonds There is a differing opinion, but they based the depreciation on the more premium Mazda 6 Carbon Edition (which started at $32,950 in 2021), and they estimated the trade-in value at $18,303 (outstanding condition), down from $17,000 for average or poor condition examples. Based on Edmunds data, the depreciation rate for the 2021 Mazda6 Carbon Edition ranges from 44.5%, which is slightly higher than the 40% average for Mazda cars. But it’s no surprise that higher-trim models that cost more don’t necessarily hold their value better than lower-priced base models.
