2012 Mazda 6 i Sport
Base Price: $21,035 As-Tested Price: $21,665 Drivetrain: 2.5-liter I4; FWD, six-speed manual Output: 170 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 167 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm Curb Weight: 3,272 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 24/24.2 mpg Options: Sirius satellite radio ($430); pearl paint ($200) It's interesting in how the Sport model here is basically the entry-level trim package. I guess "sport" means different things to different people and manufacturers. One might think that a Sport model would get the more powerful engine. But maybe in Mazda's zoom-zoom world, even the least powerful base models are still sporty, so the name would still be appropriate. And Mazda would be right. Even this base car with the 170-hp four-banger with a six-speed manual transmission is fun to drive. Mazda engineers know how to tune a suspension and dial in the kind of responsiveness that driving enthusiasts enjoy. Quick turn-in response and the kind of steering feel that lets you know where the front wheels are at a...