2000 Mazda 626

Exclusive Carweb.com Mazda Review
by Glenn Gould

2000 Mazda 626 Picture:

We had just made a switch from the 2000 Ford Excursion to the 2000 Mazda 626. The BIG Ford was off to fill another auto writer's driveway.

Although considerably smaller than the Excursion, what isn't, the 626 is not a small car. It is rated as a midsize vehicle and is Mazda's best selling sedan.

Although not a totally new car, according to Mazda, the 626 was revised and improved for 2000.

Externally Mazda sharpened the 626's front and rear styling. This freshening included a new grill, front bumper, tail and head lamp assemblies. To my eye the crisper styling worked well. Our Chestnut colored 626 was a real head turner.

Mazda is especially proud of the 2000 626's mechanical improvements.

Our test car was the top-of-the-line ES-V6. As you might guess it had a V-6 motor. You can also get the ES with a 2.0 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine. The V-6 is a 2.5 liter unit with 170 horsepower (165 hp NLEV standard). Don't you just love governmental meddling.

Interestingly, recent studies indicate that it is the coal burning power plants to the west of the NLEV zone that produces a large amount of the East Coast pollution.

OK, so much for the soapbox oratory, back to the Mazda. The 2000 626 is more interesting anyway. The V-6 had a lot of punch and made it easy to merge with fast paced highway traffic. It also made for stress-free two lane road passing. The engine was smooth and offered an interesting engine note as the rpms rose. Although the 626 is FWD, we did not notice any torque-steering with a heavy throttle.

Our ES-V6 had the optional 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission. A 4-speed manual is standard on the ES-V6.

The 626 has always been considered a driver's car. Mazda's aim was to make the 2000 626 even more responsive than before.

The 2000 model's power rack-and-pinion steering was calibrated more like the Miata roadster's system. Other refinements are larger front and rear stabilizer bars and a more ridged body structure. All 626s ride on 15-inch wheels for 2000, except our ES-V6 which had all-new 16-inch alloy wheels. An energetic run over a rough back road brought no squeaks or rattles from our test ES-V6. Even though the suspension was firmer and the body more rigid than last year, the ride was better. This contradiction was possible because Mazda reduced the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in the new car. The 626's fine twisty road manners means you can bypass the highway and take the county road instead.

Going is great, but one must stop once in a while, too. Hit the brakes and the 2000 626 really slows down in a hurry. It takes 20 percent less pedal effort that last year, yet the brakes feel firmer. Their feel and response reminded me of the Audi TT's brakes.

Our ES-V6's leather upholstered and trimmed interior had a rich feel. Thankfully, Mazda went with only a minimal amount of fake wood trim in the 626. A glance around the front cockpit showed Mazda had provided two power outlets and a pair of cup holders. The rear passengers were not forgotten either. The rear seat center fold-down arm rest had built in cup holders and storage. Mazda retained the 626's unique and exclusive, oscillating "swing vents." Besides being entertaining, they work. The ES-V6's quiet ride should enhance one's enjoyment of its standard Bose sound system.

The 2000 626 boasts a trunk with a 14.2 cubic foot trunk capacity. That is larger than those offered by the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima.

The base price of the 2000 Mazda 626 ES-V6 was $22,445 with a $450 destination charge.

Take a new 626 for a spin when they show up in your dealers show room. Make sure to find a road with a lot of twists and turns.

CHEERS
1. Fresh look
2. Power
3. Nice ride

JEERS
1. Fake wood


More pictures:

2000 Mazda 626 Engine

2000 Mazda 626 Exterior

2000 Mazda 626 Exterior

2000 Mazda 626 Exterior

2000 Mazda 626 Exterior

2000 Mazda 626 Interior

2000 Mazda 626 Trunk

2000 Mazda 626 Wheel