Mazda MAZDA6 vs. Mazda 626
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda MAZDA6 and Mazda 626 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda MAZDA6 and the Mazda 626.
When comparing the Mazda MAZDA6's and the Mazda 626's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MAZDA6 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Mazda 626 has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Mazda MAZDA6's and the Mazda 626's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MAZDA6 is a better car than the Mazda 626.
Pricing: A used 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 ranges from $16,083 to $26,998 while a used 2002 Mazda 626 is priced between $1,800 to $6,797.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda MAZDA6’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Mazda 626 base engine makes 125 horsepower. The MAZDA6 is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 574 miles. The 626 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles. This gives the Mazda MAZDA6 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mazda 626. The MAZDA6 uses regular unleaded, and the 626 uses gasoline.
Safety Ratings: The Mazda MAZDA6 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24475
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22270 - 36995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
19305
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
21467
Price Range:
16083 - 26998
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
21702
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
17222 - 28093
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
94
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
64202
# Good or Great Deals:
22
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
4256
Price Range:
1800 - 6797
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
227201
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Mazda MAZDA6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mazda 626 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MAZDA6
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.8 - 9.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.16
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda 626
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5813800797736386
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 10.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.1513192396074565
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mazda MAZDA6 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
7 out of / 11Mazda 626 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda MAZDA6 Trim Levels
Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Signature, Sport, Touring
Mazda 626 Trim Levels
ES V6, LX, LX V6
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
125 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
127 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.044 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 35 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 574 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
368 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3437 lbs
Width:
82.3 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
192.7 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2864 lbs
Width:
69.3 inches
Height:
55.1 inches
Length:
187.4 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Onyx Clearcoat
Blue
Galaxy Blue
Gray
Moonlight Gray
Red
Not available
White
Glacier White
Beige
Parchment Gold Metallic
Brown
Chestnut / Driftwood Mica
Green
Evergreen Mica
Silver
Silver Frost
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Beige
Beige
Gray
Gray
