Zesty. Spicy. Energetic. Those aren’t words normally associated with a midsize family sedan. But for Mazda’s Mazda6, the takeaway is a 4-door car that knows how to make driving a special occasion. Top-notch driving dynamics were on full display during a week-long test drive. The sedan’s electric power assisted steering provides a responsive interface for the driver to navigate curves and passing maneuvers. And the new-for-2017 G-Vectoring Control, Mazda’s first application in North America, provides an additional thread to the car’s exceptional vehicle dynamics. Other changes for 2017 include rear USB charging ports, new steering wheel design, improved sound insulation, and available heated rear seats.

Mazda6 is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that releases 184 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 185 pounds-feet of torque at 3250 rpm. The engine mates to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Front seat occupants can stretch-out with more than 42 inches of legroom, while rear seat passengers are pampered by nearly 39 inches of legroom. Trunk stow space tallies 14.8 cubic feet. The test driven 111.4-inch wheelbase Mazda6 Grand Touring with automatic transmission carries a suggested retail price of $30,695 and collects estimated mpg of 27 city/35 highway.