As I slide behind the wheel of the 2017 Mazda 6 Sport, that familiar feeling returns—the perfectly weighted steering, the driver-focused cockpit, the sense of being connected to something engineered with genuine passion. Having evaluated dozens of midsize sedans over my fifteen years in automotive journalism, I've developed a particular soft spot for Mazda's approach. They remind me of that basketball coach's philosophy I recently came across: "I appreciate the effort that the players brought out today na maski kulang kulang, extra minutes sila naglaro, walang pahinga, they still gave their utmost effort maski na medyo offensively, things weren't falling our way." That's exactly how Mazda operates in the sedan segment—they might not have the massive budgets of Toyota or Honda, but they consistently deliver maximum effort where it counts.
Let's talk numbers first. The 2017 Mazda 6 Sport starts around $16,000-$19,000 on the used market with approximately 60,000-80,000 miles, which positions it squarely against competitors like the 2017 Honda Accord LX and Toyota Camry LE. Under that sculpted hood lies a 2.5-liter four-cylinder pumping out 184 horsepower—not class-leading by today's standards where turbocharged engines dominate, but here's where Mazda's magic comes in. The Skyactiv technology isn't just marketing fluff; I've consistently achieved 33 mpg combined in real-world testing, just shy of the EPA's 34 mpg highway estimate. Where this car truly shines is in its chassis tuning. The double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension create this beautiful balance between comfort and responsiveness that I've rarely found in this price bracket.
Now, I'll be perfectly honest—if you're prioritizing raw interior space or the latest tech features, the Mazda 6 might disappoint you. The infotainment system feels dated compared to what you'd find in newer models, with its smaller 7-inch screen and occasionally laggy response. There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto here unless a previous owner installed the upgrade, which costs about $400 at dealerships. The back seat is adequate but not generous; at 6'2", I find my head nearly brushing the headliner when sitting behind my own driving position. These compromises reflect Mazda's focused approach—they poured their resources into driving dynamics rather than chasing every possible feature checkbox.
What continues to impress me about the 2017 Mazda 6 Sport is how its design has aged. While many sedans from that era already look dated, the Mazda's KODO "Soul of Motion" language still turns heads. That sweeping profile, the pronounced front grille, the subtle creases along the body—it's arguably more attractive than some 2023 models costing twice as much. I recently parked beside a newer Hyundai Sonata and found myself preferring the Mazda's cleaner, more sophisticated aesthetic. Maintenance costs tend to run about 12% lower than German competitors, with brake jobs averaging $328 and oil changes around $75 at independent shops. Just watch for the common issues—premature brake wear seems to affect about 25% of these models, and the factory tires tend to need replacement around 35,000 miles.
Driving the Mazda 6 Sport back-to-back with its competitors reveals why it remains special. The electrically assisted power steering provides genuine feedback, something that's become increasingly rare in modern cars. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts with intelligence and smoothness, unlike the sometimes-clunky CVTs in comparable Accords and Camrys. There's a mechanical honesty to how this car communicates with the driver that I find refreshing in an era of over-assisted everything. It reminds me why I fell in love with driving in the first place—that connection between human and machine that's been largely engineered out of many contemporary vehicles.
Considering today's market with inflated used car prices and shifting consumer preferences toward SUVs, the 2017 Mazda 6 Sport presents a compelling case for driving enthusiasts on a budget. It's not perfect—the cabin can get noisy on coarse pavement, and the initial acceleration won't thrill stoplight racers. But what you're getting is arguably the best-driving mainstream sedan of its generation, wrapped in timeless styling with reasonable running costs. For about $8,000 less than a comparable new base model, you're acquiring 85% of the driving pleasure at 60% of the price. In my professional opinion, that's a tradeoff worth making for anyone who still believes driving should be engaging rather than merely functional. The 2017 Mazda 6 Sport might not be the newest or flashiest option, but much like those determined basketball players giving their all despite limitations, it delivers where it truly matters.
