[hip]

'04 Mazda6 Sport Wagons/Sedan

Honda are you listening!? Bring back the Accord wagon or better yet a TSX version!

Exactly what is "zoom-zoom"? We don't mean to touch off some deep, philosophical debate, but every time we hear Mazda's catchy advertising jingle, it gets us wondering precisely how you define it. The Japanese automaker's products aren't the fastest in their individual segments, nor the most powerful. So maybe it's a bit like art: you just know it when you see it - or in this case, when it grabs you by the seat of your pants. Robert Davis, the head of product planning for Mazda's U.S. operations, likes to call it "the emotion of motion." There are plenty of great commuter cars in the mid-size segment, and the fact that the Mazda6 is on the small side sends many potential buyers scurrying to Honda and Toyota dealers. But those who don't live by the maxim, bigger is better, recognize that at the end of a busy day, the Mazda6 is the sort of car that encourages you to take the long way home, especially if you find a few tight curves along the route. And now, with the addition of the new Mazda6 Sport Package, you might not want to go home at all. This package is offered on the original 6 sedan, as well as the new Mazda6 Sport Wagon and five-door. The changes emphasize the cosmetic side, though there are some modest performance enhancements worth noting.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7096

 

[ChinchillaX]

wagons are making a comeback and Mazda is certainly listening by adding this to the 6 lineup. Honda is still in its own world. They don't have any cars that are really interesting especially in the sports car and wagon categories.

 

[kiteboy]

They don't have any cars that are really interesting especially in the sports car and wagon categories.

Sports car - S2000? In NA, the family-hauler role previously assigned to the wagon has long since been taken over by the minivan, and Honda does well with the Ody, even in its 6th MY. I agree wagons are making a bit of a comeback but most have been the tall-boy variety - Matrix/Vibe, PT Cruiser, etc.

Honda is very selective about which segments they compete in, and usually have done well when they finally enter. Unfortunately, that seems to be the truck-y market, with the Pilot, Element and SUT being recent introductions.

On the sporty side, Acura is has done well, with the TSX and TL very competitive in their respective categories. Hopefully the new RL will make a splash too, but it's against much tougher competition, in a segment where I think brand image is much more of a factor.