Under the Hood

The Mazda6 features a front and rear independent suspension. Four-cylinder and V-6 options are normal in this segment, but the standard six-speed manual transmission (with the four-cylinder) plays up Mazda's performance roots. There are also two automatic transmission offerings: The four-cylinder engine can have an optional five-speed automatic transmission, and the V-6 comes with a standard six-speed automatic (it can't be had with a manual). Mechanical features include:

* 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 167 pounds-feet of torque * 272-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 with 269 pounds-feet of torque * Six-speed manual transmission * Optional five- and six-speed automatic transmissions * Optional push-button start * Optional keyless entry and start system

    See also:

    Engine Compartment Overview
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    Exterior
    The 2010 Mazda3's exterior styling builds on its predecessor's athletic proportions by emphasizing design features. One of them is the front grille, but Mazda may have gone a bit too far with it, ...

    Safety
    Standard safety features include side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats. Second-row seats have Latch child-safety seat anchors and top tethers ...