Mazda6 rides into the sunset after more than two decades in PH market

What is arguably one of the most beautiful vehicles in the Mazda Philippines stable, the Mazda6, has been discontinued after a good 24-year run, as reflected on the Japanese automaker’s official website, which no longer shows the model.

The nameplate first went into production in 2002, replacing the 626, and was also introduced in the Philippine market in the same year. The final and third generation came more than a decade ago, in late 2012 to be exact, and was launched in the Philippines in 2013–having a nearly 13-year run in the local market.

Its discontinuation does not come as a surprise, as production had already ended in the brand’s home market of Japan in 2024. Mazda Philippines also discontinued the sedan body style for the Mazda6 in 2023 due to declining sales, especially in the midsize sedan segment, as buyers go for larger SUVs and taller crossovers instead.

That already left the Toyota Camry as the only model available in the midsize sedan segment, while this development leaves no other model in the midsize wagon segment, at least for mainstream brands. Premium brands such as Audi and BMW still sell their performance wagons, though through indent order only and at higher retail prices which are out of reach to most. 

This also makes the Subaru WRX Wagon the only model to be readily available in a wagon body style in our market, albeit in the compact segment.

Before its discontinuation, the Mazda6 was offered solely in a wagon body style, and powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine that made 190 horsepower and 252Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. 

It was also available with a special 20th Anniversary Edition (in photo), offered in Artisan Red Premium or Rhodium White Pearl paint jobs, matched to a Tan and Black interior.

_{Photo by Julian Panlilio}