Mazda 626: A Great Family Sedan

By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor

Well, you're growing up and it's time to get rid of the two-door sport coupe you used to drive. Where can you find a compromise between size, comfort and performance? The Mazda 626 ES is a good start. While it's no barn burner, it has respectable performance numbers.

Considered a domestic by the EPA with over 75% domestic content, the Mazda 626 is built in Flat Rock, MI, right along side the Mazda MX-6 and the Ford Probe. Our test 626 ES was option free; at the ES level there really is no need for options. The 626 had the same 2.5L DOHC, 24 valve engine with 160 hp as the Ford Probe GT giving this sedan serious motivation. For 1996, Mazda has given the 626 a facelift with a new grill and bulge in the hood. These changes make the 626 look very similar to Mazda's popular Millenia luxury sedan. The exterior color was Burgundy Brilliance Metallic. "Nice color for a brief case, not for a car," was one comment I heard during my week of testing.

As you would expect, the 626 is loaded with standard features at the ES level. Standard equipment includes: anti-lock brakes, theft deterrent system, keyless entry, 8-way power driver's seat, heated exterior mirrors and a power sliding glass moonroof. Other features include: power windows, power locks, cruise control and an AM/FM stereo with cassette deck and 6 speakers. Also included as standard safety equipment are dual airbags, and side-impact protection.

No car can be perfect; this one has flaws just like any other. The door handles feel really cheap, and radio buttons are not well defined nor spaced apart. I also disliked the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls with the swing lever and multitude of buttons.

The 626 handles well and pushing this car to the limits is fun. The 5-speed manual transmission made expressway merging and back road passing a breeze. I could have done without the leather seats, because they were not heated and they did not provide enough grip for the seat of my pants. The rear seat was a convenient 60/40 split that is apparently becoming standard equipment in new cars.

Fuel mileage for the 626 is 21 city, 26 highway. I got just under 24 mpg during my week of testing. The bottom line on the 1996 Mazda 626 ES was $23,245 including destination and a Mazda package discount.

The Mazda 626 isn't perfect, but comfortable seating for five, a fun driving experience and a reasonable price are a combination that's usually hard to find.