Mazda had for a long time found itself in a complicated position among consumers, as the Japanese brand was seen as an affordable and cheerful company that made simple cars that were not underwhelming or overly exciting. The brand has never been associated with luxury either, until recent times with the release of the new Mazda CX-90 that rides on the company's new platform.

With the recent release of the redesigned Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, the midsize sedan market looks to be back in full force. There is one make and model that is noticeably absent, the Mazda 6. Citing a decline in consumer interest in sedans with a shift to crossovers, Mazda discontinued the 6 in 2021.

With Mazda's new Kodo design and powertrain options seen on the CX-90, it's hard not to envision the return of the Mazda 6 with all the new goodies that current brand models have. With the power of imagination let us take a look at what the possibilities of the upcoming Mazda 6 are.

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The Mazda 6 Marks Two Decades

While the Mazda 6 has been discontinued in North America, it continues to enjoy popularity in the Oceania regions of Australia and New Zealand. In the Oceania region, the sedan is marking its 20th anniversary, and current models on sale feature special anniversary badging. The Mazda 6 remains in its third generation, with no indication of a redesign in the foreseeable future.

Although the Mazda 6 is not available in the North American market, the car still flourishes in Asia where it is badged as the Atenza. The Mazda 6 20th-anniversary edition features unique additions to the sedan such as a gloss silver grille, 19-inch wheels, a new interior color palette, and special badges inside and out.

It is quite impressive on Mazda's part to be able to retain a decade old third generation design against a competition that has evolved to offer more luxury and sophistication as compared to the Mazda 6, it goes to show the popularity of the model and the potential resurgence of the market segment of mid-size sedans.

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Could The Return Of The Mazda Embrace Electrified or Hybrid Powertrain?

The rumor mill in 2022 ran wild with speculations of the return of the Mazda 6 in rear-wheel drive configuration powered by a six-cylinder engine. Some details of the rumors have become reality with the release of the CX-90 crossover, Mazda's replacement for the CX-9. The Japanese manufacturer debuted the CX-90 with the most powerful engine in the company's history, a 3.3L Inline straight-six e-Skyactiv Turbo Hybrid longitudinally mounted engine producing 280 or 340 horsepower.

With the release of the CX-90, Mazda also showcased a Plug-In Hybrid option that could potentially be a candidate to power the next Mazda 6 sedan. A plug-in hybrid paired with a new Mazda 6 should make the sedan more competitive against Toyota's Camry which also has a hybrid powertrain option. This however is all speculation that cannot be verified as Mazda has not made any announcement of reintroducing the Mazda 6 back into the American market.

Mazda New SkyActive Engine Specification

During the launch of the Mazda CX-50 in China, Mazda displayed a couple of other vehicles with sedan silhouettes alongside the CX-50 crossover eluding the powertrain of those future vehicles might be Battery Electric Vehicle(BEV) or Plug-In Battery Electric Vehicle (PHEV). Considering sedans remain popular in the Chinese market, it is fair to speculate that Mazda might design a fourth-generation Mazda 6 sedan that could make its way to the U.S.

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Moving Up Market: Will A New Mazda 6 Rival Luxury Models

The recently launched Mazda CX-90 marks a significant milestone for Mazda, thrusting the brand into the discussions surrounding luxury vehicles. This shift can be attributed to the CX-90's stunning design and the powerful engine options it boasts. Mazda's strategic efforts to elevate its position within the automotive industry are evident, and it's becoming increasingly apparent that if the company were to reintroduce the Mazda 6 sedan, it would likely set its sights on competing with even established luxury models.

As the CX-90 has set the stage for the brand's growth, it will be prudent for Mazda to reintroduce its midsize sedan back into the U.S. market to leverage the positive sentiment that surrounds the brand at the moment. The making of a fourth-generation Mazda 6 is long overdue as the current third generation is on its last breath in regions that continue to offer it. The upsides to bringing back the Mazda 6 nameplate to the States are many including the:

• Offering more value for money to attract customers who seek a premium driving experience without the steep price tag.
• Opportunity to showcase the performance of the new 3.3 liter Mild-Hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive system.
• Potentially use the Mazda 6 sedan as the brand's foray into the fully electric market.

Taking into consideration the efforts that Mazda has put into the flagship CX-90 as well as the CX-50 crossovers, it is undoubtedly that the brand can produce a fourth-generation Mazda 6 that will get an equally amazing reception as the aforementioned models have.

Despite the growing popularity of SUVs and crossovers, there is still a substantial market demand for sedans, especially in the mid-size segment. By introducing a fourth-generation Mazda 6, Mazda can tap into this segment and offer consumers a well-rounded sedan option with its signature style and technology.

It is understandable that Mazda wants to focus on the SUV and Crossover market that continues to grow exponentially in America, It will however be a tragic oversight for the automaker to abandon the midsize sedan segment that has started to regain its popularity in the region. If other manufacturers are keen on keeping their line-up fresh, surely Mazda can reintroduce the 6 sedans to be bigger and better as they have with the CX-90.