It’s no secret that sedan sales have been on a downhill slide for a long time now. The Mazda6 nameplate—first introduced to the US market for the 2002 model year—has never enjoyed the same sales success as the midsize models from its crosstown rivals at Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, despite being arguably better looking and and better handling, particularly in its latest generation. US sales of the Mazda6 plummeted to 16,204 in 2020. As sedan sales continue to decline, automakers have been culling even longstanding nameplates from their lineup, and today it is Mazda’s turn to adjust to a market shifting its priorities to crossovers and SUVs.
Alas, not all crossovers are safe from the axe. Mazda’s CX-3 was introduced for the 2015 model year and almost immediately drew criticism for its diminutive size and lackluster cargo capacity.Sales peaked in the US at 16,899 for the 2018 model year and fell sharply in 2020, with only 8,355 leaving dealer lots. The CX-3’s fate was sealed by the introduction of the much better looking, better packaged, and significantly more powerful CX-30, which unsurprisingly cannibalized the older model’s sales.
I would be lying if I said that the demise of the CX-3 moved me in any significant way, however the departure of the Mazda6 stings. The current generation 6 was a refreshing alternative to the power players in the midsize sedan segment, improved further by its mid cycle refresh and introduction of the upmarket Signature trim.
The biggest letdown of all, however, is that Mazda never gifted us with the beautiful longroof Mazda6 that it sells in markets abroad, and what little hope we ever had of getting it disappeared with today’s unceremonious announcement.
