Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom” slogan is known for one thing and one thing only: It is the only Japanese manufacturer to be known for its cars with sharp performance, handling, and style. That is also true with the redesigned Mazda 6. Try putting this slogan on a Honda Accord, a Toyota Camry, or even a Nissan Altima. Not much of a nice ring to it, is there? Spruced up just last year, the Mazda 6’s exterior has a more European appeal in terms of increased aerodynamics and efficiency. With its Triple-H body construction and side impact steel beams on all four doors, it is no wonder that the 2010 Mazda 6 deserved 5 stars for all-around crash ratings by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Mazda was also smart enough to have added underbody shields and deflectors for maximum airflow; you will end up with a family-friendly four-door sedan with the soul of a sports car, thanks to the front and rear fender flares derived from the sporty Mazda RX-8, and great fuel efficiency with the lowest coefficient drag in its class. What else is there to know about the 6 outshining the Camry, Accord, and Altima? One thing is performance. Mazda had claimed that the new 2010 Mazda 6 had the leading horsepower in its class with its two engines: The 4-cylinder engine delivers 170 horsepower from its 2.5-liter inline-4 directly from its little hatchback brother, the Mazda 3. That is 12 horsepower more than the 158 horsepower Camry SE with an engine displacement of just 0.1 liter less than the Mazda. The 6-cylinder, on the other hand, provides a beefy 272 horsepower from its 3.7-liter V6, making the Mazda 6 the quickest accelerating midsize sedan in a straight-line in just 6.3 seconds while the Camry catches up a bit behind just a second slower and the Accord struggling behind at just ½ a second behind the Camry, even with the Accord’s 3.5-liter 271 horsepower V6 and Honda’s VCM technology (and also because the Accord is the heaviest of the bunch). Even though the Mazda 6 has an 18 ½ — gallon tank taking 87 octane, the gas mileage is still commendable for a 3000-pound car—21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway for the 4-cylinder and 18/26 for the 6-cylinder. Handling gives the Mazda 6 another high mark due to a double wishbone front suspension and an E-type multilink rear suspension with both front and rear stabilizer bars. With Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11