Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Quality:
Mazda’s been working to make the 6’s interior look more upscale, and the effort shows – especially on this tricked-out, two-tone MazdaSpeed Grand Touring model. Complaints remain, though. The driver’s airbag cover looks cheap in contrast with the smooth leather-wrapped rim. The headliner needs to be swapped out for a woven mesh cloth material. The lower dash plastics still look low budget. And our test car had a few creaks in it with just 1,200 miles on the odometer. I did notice, however, that most of the buttons, knobs, and stalks exhibit the damping and heft common to a luxury car, which goes a long way toward making owners proud of a new set of wheels. Due to rain and time constraints, I didn’t get a chance to examine the exterior build quality.

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Quality:
Though there are a few negative points worth mentioning, our 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 test car appeared to be well-built with plenty of attention paid to the details. Inside and outside, gap tolerances were tight and consistent, except for a slight variation around the dash, the outer edges of the instrument panel, and a left headlight that was not entirely flush. I also located a loose plastic panel on the lower section of the driver’s seat.

Materials used throughout the cabin are impressive, including the padded dash cap, the padded door panels with leather inserts (all with matching grains), and the durable plastics used on the lower dash and less visible areas. Even the area around the sunroof, where headliners are typically flimsy, is solidly-secured and neatly finished.

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Quality:
Mazda has done a nice job with the fit and finish on the MazdaSpeed 6. Exterior panel gaps are all tight and consistent. The seams between the front and rear fascias and the fenders featured flawless transitions. All the plastic pieces, like the honeycomb grille, were tightly fastened and the lower cladding was well adhered. Inside, the fit was poor for the flip-up navigation screen and the A-pillar covers. Gaps between the screen and the dashboard were inconsistent from side to side, and the A-pillar covers need better fasteners to hold them more firmly in place. The quality of the navigation system’s software also needs some attention. Homes in my area of Orange County have been around for some 15 years but the maps inside this Mazda show the area as a barren hillside. Another writer couldn’t find a well-established resort in Dana Point, Calif., because the system is so outdated. It is surprising that Mazda let this slide through the system.

Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Quality:
Want quality? Try a 2.3-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 274 horsepower, 280 lb.-ft of torque and is mated to a buttery smooth six-speed manual transmission. Try all-wheel-drive, electronic stability control, big brakes, a stiff suspension and a host of other features that put rubber to road in a very special way. The MazdaSpeed 6 also has quality in coolness, served up nicely in a beautifully enhanced exterior design, interior graphics and red luminescent lighting. It’s almost enough to make us forget about seats that move slightly when you sit down, a center compartment that feels removable, a useless cupholder lid, and two-tone leather seating that “takes a little getting used to.”