Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Design:
Give Mazda kudos for the MazdaSpeed 6’s subdued sleeper appearance, but I think the front end looks too heavy and out of proportion with that bulging hood attached. And I’m no fan of the clear lens taillights. Otherwise, this is a handsome car, with attractive wheels and tastefully decorated with a lip spoiler and subtle aero effects. Inside, our Grand Touring test sample came equipped with a black-and-ivory two-tone décor scheme that looked great. But that ivory-colored trim and leather is going to get real dirty, real quick. I also like the dark gray plastic trim on the dash and console. It’s a little too shiny, but looks unique, like ash wood trim.

As for control layout and design, the stereo and climate display is too far away from the radio and climate controls to make life easy. I find myself looking down to find the right knob or button and then looking up at the display to determine when to stop using the selected knob or button. This arrangement might be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s distracting. At least these oft-used features aren’t bundled with the optional navigation system, which pops out of the top of the soft-touch dashboard and is operated using a slick little remote control.

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Design:
With all of the midsize sedans on the market, the Mazda 6 is not my first choice. The tiered front end and swept headlights are somewhat appealing, but the busy taillight design looks like it’s trying too hard. Yet swap in a honeycomb grille, revised fascias with large dual exhaust pipes out back, some sporty rocker panels, and those multi-spoke 18-inch alloys, and you’ve got a looker. Even the subtle rear spoiler is attractive, while serving as just enough splash to detract attention from the ugly taillights.

Interior design also deserves some applause for its piano black radio face, dark gray trim, alloy gauge rings and door handles, and two-tone leather seats. I’d skip the cream-colored seat bolsters and door inserts because of dirt and grime, but other drivers may be less averse to cleaning.

What fails to make any sense to me are the plastic pillar covers that are unlike any other material used inside the MazdaSpeed 6, not to mention that they and the headliner are light gray while the interior is almost entirely black and cream.

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Design:
The MazdaSpeed 6 still looks good today but is starting to show its age. Newer designs are getting away from cladding where the MazdaSpeed 6 uses it to separate the performance version from the standard model. The highlight of the MazdaSpeed 6 is the interior. Designers did a great job with the materials and color scheme. The trim pieces have a very unusual look to them, kind of a dark brushed texture that is highlighted with aluminum trim throughout the cabin. The use of white leather and plastic with black inserts brightens the interior, adding to the spacious feel. The reddish-orange LED gauges are just another nice touch that finish out a well-designed interior package.

On the negative side, the navigation system is horrible in terms of entering information, and what’s with the removable remote? All I could surmise is that backseat passengers could use the remote to enter information while continuing the journey down the road, but that can’t be because you have to be stopped to program the darn thing. Not only does the remote make no sense, but also entering information is simply difficult. Two of us couldn’t find a backspace when we made mistakes. As a man, I can attest that the allure of using a remote for anything is tempting but if it doesn’t work or make sense, we move on.

Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s Design:
Design has always been a Mazda 6 strong suit, and the MazdaSpeed 6 version continues the tradition. Differences include a lowered stance, exclusive front fenders, hood and grille, a redesigned front bumper, and 18-inch wheels. In back, there’s an understated lip spoiler that adds just the right finishing touch. Look at it this way: driving the MazdaSpeed 6, people around you will notice – and admire you for being a cool car guy. The nice officer, sitting around the corner with speed gun in hand and a quota to make, will think it’s just another Mazda 6, and, unless you’re driving up trees, will focus instead on the flashy Cobalt SS one lane over.

Inside, the design is cool, but suffers a few flaws. The two-tone black-and-white leather package takes some getting used to, the graphite trim fails to register on the wow scale, and the compartment between the front seats is too small to be of much use, feels flimsy, and is set too far back to serve as an adequate armrest. If you buy the optional electroluminescent gauges, however, you may not even notice, as they glow red and are oh-so-neat, easy to read and graphically superb. Perhaps best of all is the location and quality of the environmental controls. Three large knobs at the bottom of the center stack and located right where they should be, they are usable at just a glance and nice to the touch. Cupholders are large and usable, front and rear.