Introduced in May 2002 in Japan as Atenza and launched globally under the Mazda6 name, this midsize car marked Mazda’s move into a more upscale, driver-focused era. It was developed as a worldwide model and quickly became one of the company’s most important modern nameplates, offered in sedan and wagon body styles and later expanded in some markets to include a five-door hatchback early in its life cycle. The car was positioned above Mazda’s compact offerings and was intended to combine everyday practicality with sharper handling than many mainstream family sedans.
The model went through several major generations, each keeping the same basic mission while evolving in size, refinement, and design. The second generation arrived in the late 2000s with a larger, more mature character, while the third generation, introduced in the early 2010s, embraced Mazda’s newer design language and engineering approach. Over the years it earned a strong reputation for balanced chassis tuning, clean styling, and broad global appeal, and it was sold in many markets under the Atenza badge in Japan.
Production continued for more than two decades, but the nameplate was finally retired in Japan in January 2024, and Mazda later noted that Mazda6 production had been ceased. As a result, the model’s history is best understood as one continuous run from its 2002 debut through its 2024 discontinuation.