Automotive

2019 Mazda 6: Not your ordinary mid-size sedan

Fast, furious, and full of features

Published

June 4, 2019

Mazda’s premium sedan has received another refresh. The Japanese company further improves on the aesthetics inside and out, and aims to make the vehicle more a part of the driver in terms of performance and functionalities.

There are currently two variants of the Mazda 6 sedan available in the Philippines — a 2.2-liter diesel engine and a 2.5-liter petrol engine. What we have here is the former with its 2.2-liter SKYACTIVE-D configuration.

Inspired by a masterpiece

A new model means a new look. The Mazda 6 goes for a more aggressive presence and it’s conveyed well through its new front grille and headlamps. If it looks familiar, it might be the fact that it was inspired by Mazda’s Vision Coupe. It won the “Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year” award last year so there’s no doubt the Mazda 6 is a looker.

With a commanding grille up front flanked by thin LED headlamps, the Mazda 6 channels the Vision Coupe

The front has that shark-nosed design which gives it an illusion of moving forward

The company knows how to play with lights through the accents on the exterior; look how the lines add shadows and detail to the overall appearance of the Mazda 6

The rear also saw a redesign with sleeker taillamps and a refreshed bumper

Rounding up the exterior are a batch of new 19-inch alloy wheels

Available color options are Jet Black, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, and Sonic Silver Metallic

Premium all around

One can easily see the company’s craftsmanship inside the vehicle. There are certain hints of class and detail everywhere you look. It was not only pleasing to the eyes, but it also felt premium — from the Nappa leather used in the seats to the suede running through its interior.

Buttons for audio and cruise control are comfortably placed on the leather-wrapped steering wheel

This touch of suede blended with Sen wood really adds a premium feel to the vehicle’s interior

Just below the dash are controls for its Dual-Zone Climate Control

The rear seats split in 60:40 fashion and passengers have access to two USB ports for charging

Popping the trunk reveals a large space for your baggage; simply fold the rear seats for more storage space and to fit longer items

Not only is the Mazda 6 a looker inside and out, but it’s also got creature comforts to make long rides more enjoyable. For starters, the two front seats are both ventilated while the driver’s seat has lumbar support. The interior is also equipped with a total of 11 Bose speakers for an immersive listening experience while Bluetooth connectivity comes standard.

These aren’t your ordinary front seats — they are ventilated just for your comfort

From controlling music to making calls, and even accessing its own navigation system, an 8-inch infotainment display is the main hub. It’s touch-enabled but only when the car is not moving.

In between the two front seats is this center control knob for navigation through the menu. The knob itself performs well and is very tactile. The system’s UI, however, is a different story.

It has Dynamic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning, i-STOP that automatically turns off the engine when the car is idle, a 360-degree view camera, and proximity/parking sensors

A seven-inch TFT display shows important information while driving

But if you want to avoid taking your eyes off the road, a heads-up display (HUD) is projected right at the windshield

A quiet performer

As mentioned earlier, the two variants available locally come in either the SKYACTIVE-D or SKYACTIV-G for its petrol counterpart. For the specs buffs out there, our 2.2-liter diesel engine outputs 190PS of power and 450Nm of torque. Power is then mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda says these numbers not only translate to more power but also results in a more fuel-efficient performance.

Being what it is, we were already expecting it to make the usual rumbling noise of a diesel engine as soon as we pushed the ignition button. To our surprise, while it has that whirring sound, it isn’t as loud as one would normally expect. The sound of the engine actually disappears when you’re outside and a few feet away from the vehicle.

It’s the same story when you’re inside the car and driving. Mazda dampened the interior so effectively that it almost sounds like you’re cruising on a gasoline vehicle.

In terms of power, the four-cylinder DOHC engine doesn’t easily tap out. It’s got a responsive jolt of power on tap and a medium to light handling so it feels agile while being in control whether you’re in the city or winding through the mountains.

With a starting price of PhP 1,930,000 for the 2.5L gasoline variant and PhP 2,250,000 for the diesel model, the 2019 Mazda 6 sedan comes with a sleek and aggressive stance, an interior wrapped in premium materials, features that make driving more enjoyable, and an engine that is subtle but packs a punch. It’s not your run-off-the-mill mid-size sedan in a way that it almost acts like a family SUV if not for its more compact body.

The new Mazda 6 would be a great everyday car with its efficient fuel consumption, and is also equipped enough to go for those long drives over the weekend with the gang.

Related Topics:2019 Mazda6 Diesel Mazda Mazda6

Automotive

Latest Honda BR-V now available in the Philippines

With Honda SENSING

Published

November 22, 2022

GadgetMatch

As 2022 winds down, Honda has released the latest iteration of its best-selling Honda BR-V in the Philippines.

It will be available in the following variants and retail prices:

1.5 S MT: PhP 1,090,000
1.5 S CVT: PhP 1,150,000
1.5 V CVT: PhP 1,295,000
1.5 VX CVT Honda SENSING: PhP 1,390,000

The Lunar Silver Metallic and Meteoroid Grey Metallic color options will be available across all variants. Taffeta White, Crystal Black Pearl, and Premium Opal White Silver Pearl, meanwhile, may be chosen depending on the variant.

Features will include newly-designed LED taillights, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), power-adjustable door mirrors, power folding mirrors, and integrated LED side turn signal lights, again depending on the chosen model.

In the cockpit area of the all-new Honda BR-V is a new 7-inch touchscreen display audio. The infotainment system supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB.

Complementing this connectivity is a sound system composed of up 6 speakers if you’re getting the VX or V CVT Honda SENSING.

Fuel economy-wise, the BR-V has also been tested to go for up to about 24 kilometers per liter for the top-of-the-line models.

Honda SENSING

With advanced features and a premium look, the 7-seater SUV will once again offer Honda SENSING to give drivers peace of mind and safety on the road.

One push start system will be available for 3 variants, while keyless entry will also be having keyless entry.

Speaking of safety, here are more features from Honda SENSING:

Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN) System: Alerts the driver when the car in front has moved ahead from a standstill
Collision Mitigation Brake system (CMBS): Pedestrians are detected in front to reduce the risk of a potential collision, reducing vehicle speed
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS): Keeps vehicle at the center of the road and in the best driving position
Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW): Avoids collisions by providing both audible and visual warnings whenever car swerves without signal lights; LDW also notifies when the car goes off course
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Helps maintain a stable speed at a driver-determined distance, relative to the vehicle in front
Auto-High Beam (AHB): This system allows the driver to automatically turn on high beams when there are no other vehicles ahead; it will also turn off when there is counterpart traffic

The all-new Honda BR-V is now available at any of the 37 Honda Cars dealerships nationwide.

Automotive

Sony plans to pack a PlayStation 5 into a Honda

Car might not arrive until 2025

Published

November 22, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Though it’s relatively easier now, it’s still not a walk in the park to grab a new PlayStation 5. If you still find yourself without the new console, there might be a new, unlikely way to get one. Sony has opened the possibility of a built-in PS5 inside a Honda car.

Earlier this year, Sony announced a partnership with Honda to create an electric vehicle company. Naturally, an electric vehicle isn’t as easy to make as a smartphone or a console. Still, the two companies’ joint venture is going swimmingly.

According to a recent interview with the Financial Times, Sony Honda Mobility plans to integrate entertainment with mobility, creating a competitive niche to go against Tesla. In the interview, company president Izumi Kawanishi explained that adding a PlayStation 5 to a Honda car is now “technologically possible.”

However, even if it’s technologically possible, will Sony Honda Mobility do it? Kawanishi explains that the company still has to make the car completely autonomous, thereby eliminating the need for driver input and freeing riders to play in the car.

Though current electric vehicle companies sometimes tout autonomous driving, cars today still need a driver to look after the car on the road. That said, it will take a while for the company to create the car they are envisioning. A car might not materialize until 2025, at the earliest. By that time, the PlayStation 5 might not be as powerful as it is now. Maybe a PlayStation 5 Pro in a Honda car soon?

Apps

Ford elevates automobile experience through FordPass

Start, stop, lock, and unlock using your mobile device!

Published

November 21, 2022

MJ Jucutan

Ford is inching closer to becoming a technology company with its array of innovative features packed in its automobiles.

During the 25th anniversary celebration of Ford in the Philippines, the company marked the advent of FordPass in the country. It’s a mobile application that allows access to vehicle-specific content and support, making it a smart all-in-one platform for connectivity and security.

Vehicles equipped with FordPass Connect — or a cellular model containing an eSim that enables the vehicle to connect to the internet — can utilize remote control functions. For instance, Ford vehicle owners can remotely start, stop, lock, and unlock their automobiles, as well as check the fuel level through their smartphones.

There’s also a vehicle locator feature that allows Ford owners to find their vehicles in crowded parking areas. The feature is extremely useful for those who always forget where they parked their cars.

How to install FordPass?

To install FordPass, simply download the app via the App Store and Google Play Store. Select the FordPass icon on the homescreen, select “Philippines” and create your account.

After you enter your details, you can request a code for a one-time pin (OTP) to be sent via SMS. Registration will be complete when you received an SMS confirmation.

FordPass is available on mobile devices running Android 7.0 and above, and iOS 14.0 and above.

How to add a Ford Vehicle on FordPass?

If you have the next-generation Ford Ranger and next-generation Ford Everest (all models), you can add your vehicle to your FordPass app.

Click the drop-down on top of the screen and select ‘Add Vehicle’. It will prompt you to enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) and you’ll have to wait for confirmation. Once done, you can enter a nickname for your Ford Vehicle. Then, activate it.

FordPass is accessible to Ford owners starting December 2, 2022.