Mazda finally caved in to customer demand and will now offer the 2018 Mazda6 with a turbo. The 2.5-liter turbocharged SkyActiv unit is the same that's found in the CX-9 SUV. It has finally been confirmed that the Mazda6 will have the same output as the CX-9, 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and we assume that it will also run on regular gas with 223 hp as it does in the CX-9. FuelEconomy.gov has confirmed how efficient this new drivetrain will be in the Mazda6.

According to official figures, the 2018 Mazda6 with the turbocharged engine will get 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined. Not surprisingly, these numbers are lower than the Mazda6 with the normally aspirated engine with the six-speed automatic (26/35/29 mpg). These numbers aren't far off the normally aspirated car with the manual transmission (24/33/27 mpg), although the turbocharged car will only be available with the automatic. The Mazda6 turbo's mpg figures are very close to 2.0-liter turbo cars in this segment. For example, the 2.0-liter Honda Accord Sport with 22/32/26 mpg beats the Mazda by 1 mpg on the highway, but has a 1-mpg disadvantage in the city.

However, the Accord EX-L 2.0T matches the Mazda6 in the city and beats in on the highway 23/34/27 mpg. Compared to the Chevy Malibu 2.0T (22/32/26 mpg), the Mazda wins by 1 mpg in the city, but is beat by 1 mpg on the highway. It is a similar story with the 2.0-liter Ford Fusion and the V6 Toyota Camry. The Mazda6 finally has a more potent engine to help it compete with other cars in the midsize category and has adequate fuel efficiency to match.