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Technology & Internet • Automotive

Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 is a mid-size car produced by Mazda from 2002 to 2024.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Mazda 6 is a mid-size car produced by Mazda from 2002 to 2024. It was sold in some markets as the Mazda Atenza, and it replaced Mazda’s Capella/626 line. The model was offered mainly as a four-door sedan, with wagon body variants in some markets and generations.

Overview

The Mazda 6 is Mazda’s mid-size family car introduced in 2002 as the successor to the Capella/626. It became one of Mazda’s best-known global passenger cars and was marketed under different names in certain regions.

Market naming and body styles

The car was sold as the Mazda Atenza in Japan and China until 2019. While the sedan was the main body style, wagon versions were also available in some markets and generations.

Engineering and powertrains

Across its life, the Mazda 6 used front-engine, front-wheel-drive layouts and a range of petrol and diesel engines depending on market. Later generations featured SKYACTIV technology and, in some trims, turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.

Discontinuation

Production of the Mazda 6 ended in December 2024. Mazda had previously signalled the model’s discontinuation in some markets, reflecting a broader industry shift away from midsize sedans.

Key facts

  • The Mazda 6 was produced from February 2002 until December 2024.
  • It is a mid-size model in Mazda’s passenger-car lineup.
  • In Japan and China, the model was known as the Mazda Atenza until 2019.
  • The model was offered in sedan and, in some markets, wagon body styles.
  • Later versions used Mazda’s SKYACTIV engineering and were available with four-cylinder petrol engines, including a turbocharged option in some markets.
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Canadian context

The Mazda 6 was sold in Canada as a mainstream mid-size sedan and was part of the competitive family-car segment familiar to Canadian buyers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Mazda 6?
The Mazda 6 is a mid-size passenger car produced by Mazda from 2002 to 2024.
Was the Mazda 6 called something else?
Yes. In Japan and China, it was sold as the Mazda Atenza until 2019.
What body styles were available?
The main body style was a four-door sedan, and some markets also offered a wagon.
What replaced the Mazda 6?
It replaced Mazda’s Capella/626 line.
When did production end?
Production ended in December 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda6
    Supports: Production dates, model naming, class, and predecessor information.
  2. Japanese Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9E%E3%83%84%E3%83%80%E3%83%BBMAZDA6
    Supports: Japanese-market naming and classification.
  3. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mazda-6
    Supports: Later-generation engine configurations and body style information.
  4. MotorTrend — https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda/mazda6
    Supports: Discontinuation context and later-generation model details.