With the midsize sedan segment flush with competitors, it takes a lot (a whole lot) to grab attention. The 2014 Mazda6’s complete makeover makes this four-door an attention worthy contender. With an interior that doesn’t overdo, the driver isn’t exposed to a maddening array of dashboard clutter or randomly placed buttons and knobs. Mazda6’s cabin provides comfort with a sensible approach, including bolstered front seats, more than 42 inches of front legroom, and more than 38 inches of rear legroom. The sedan’s 5.8-inch touch screen is a key interface point for all-new infotainment/connectivity options. The 111.4-inch wheelbase Mazda6 is offered in three trims: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring.

While the 2014 Mazda6 deletes the prior model year’s 3.7-liter, 6-cylinder producing 272 horsepower/269 pounds-feet of peak torque from the engine line-up, the car (eventually) will have two 4-cylinder engines in the U.S. portfolio. (A 2.2-liter clean diesel will be a soon-to- market option.) The test-driven car’s SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine easily handled the drudgery of stop-and-go commutes as well as more spirited driving tasks. This 2.5-liter produces 184 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 185 pounds-feet of torque at 3250 rpm. Standard safety fare includes front, side, and full side-curtain airbags, traction control, and hill launch assist. The 2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring with 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 6-speed automatic transmission collects estimated mpg of 28 city/40 highway and carries an MSRP of $29,695.