2017 Mazda Mazda6 — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2017 Mazda Mazda6

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $20,121–$27,023
Fuel Economy 22 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $2,386/yr
The 2017 Mazda Mazda6 scores 7.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #347 of 1310 sedans, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $2,386/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2017 Mazda Mazda6

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$20,121–$27,023

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2017 Mazda Mazda6

The 2017 Mazda Mazda6 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.5/10, while Technology at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.5/10. The Mazda6 nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.2/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.7/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $20,121–$27,023, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Mazda Mazda6 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on technology if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2017 Mazda Mazda6 ranks #347 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 74% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $20,121 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 27%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2017 Mazda Mazda6

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$11,930 ($2,386/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Mazda6 Year Should You Buy?

Across the Mazda6 model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2023 8.4/10$25,630 Read review →
2021 8.0/10$23,177 Read review →
2020 8.1/10$22,413 Read review →
2019 7.9/10$21,649 Read review →
2018 7.9/10$20,885 Read review →
2017 (this review) 7.8/10$20,121
2016 7.9/10$19,357 Read review →
2015 7.7/10$18,593 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2017 Mazda Mazda6

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2017 Mazda Mazda6 (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Exterior lighting / Turn signal
18/10/2016 · 16V753000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured August 12, 2016, to September 28, 2016 and equipped with optional accessory fog lights. Due to an incorrect combination switch being installed, the…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2017 Mazda Mazda6 that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2017 Mazda Mazda6

Is the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

We rate the 2017 Mazda Mazda6's reliability 8.5/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 worth buying?

It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #347 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 74% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 cost?

The 2017 Mazda Mazda6 starts at $20,121 and ranges up to $27,023 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Mazda6 years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Mazda6 years we've rated are 2015 (7.7/10), 2017 (7.8/10), 2019 (7.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 have?

The documented issues for the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Exterior lighting (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Mazda Mazda6

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More Mazda Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.