How much does the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 cost?

Prices have softened 3.21% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 172 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for you to compare.

If you find a listing below $18,720.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating.

The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Performance, and Safety.

You get a sedan that is aimed squarely at drivers who care about how a car feels from behind the wheel, with stylish design, premium interior materials, and a driving experience that stands out in the midsize class. It is also one of the older members of its segment, and its technology is described as outdated, so you are trading modern gadgetry for a more engaging and upscale-feeling drive.

The main trade-offs are all-wheel drive not available and outdated technology.

For you, that makes the Mazda6 a strong fit if you want a family sedan that emphasizes style, quality, and driving enjoyment over the latest features.

26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Mazda6 is described as a car that has been around long enough to be familiar, but still feels special thanks to its quality, driving character, and well-sorted execution. Its expert evaluation also points to smooth, accurate, and predictable active safety behavior, which supports confidence in day-to-day use.

The performance notes also suggest a durable, easy-to-live-with setup: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a six-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive. Mazda also emphasizes value through generous standard equipment rather than long warranty or free-maintenance programs.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that you are buying an older design with dated technology, so condition and maintenance history matter more than chasing the newest features.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mazda MAZDA6?

At 66.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or one priced near the low end of the market. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment and trim-specific features still function as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport and Touring use a 186-horsepower Skyactiv 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the rest get a turbocharged 250-hp version of that powerplant. The Signature trim adds a more luxurious cabin with premium Nappa leather, genuine Sen wood trim, LED interior lighting, and an exclusive grille and wheel design.
• Powertrain: Most versions use a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. A six-speed automatic sends power to the front wheels, and all-wheel drive is not available.
• Safety package: Every 2021 Mazda6 includes i-Activesense with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Grand Touring Reserve adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer, and an Active Driving Display, while Signature adds driver-attention alert, traffic-sign recognition, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.
• Infotainment: The Mazda6 uses an 8-inch Mazda Connect screen, offers Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, internet radio, text-messaging support, and E911 automatic emergency notification, and supports touchscreen use only when stopped. Grand Touring trim and higher add wireless Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto remains wired.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged engine is rated at 26 mpg in combined driving, and testing returned 26.1 mpg.

Which 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 is offered in 6 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Carbon Edition, and Signature.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Mazda6’s core strengths without the higher trim pricing. You still get the standard safety suite and the car’s appealing driving character, so it makes sense if you want the Mazda6 experience at the lowest cost.
• Touring: This trim keeps the same basic formula but adds a more upscale feel while staying close to the value end of the lineup. It is a sensible choice if you want a little more comfort and equipment without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Grand Touring: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it unlocks wireless Apple CarPlay, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, and more premium convenience features while staying below the luxury-focused upper trims.
• Grand Touring Reserve: This trim adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer, and an Active Driving Display, making it a strong pick if you want more advanced convenience and visibility features.
• Carbon Edition: This trim is based on the Grand Touring Reserve and adds exclusive Polymetal Gray paint, red leather with contrast stitching, and black metallic wheels, so it is the style-forward choice if you want a more distinctive look.
• Signature: This is the most luxurious version, with premium Nappa leather, Sen wood trim, a head-up display, embedded navigation, and the most complete safety-tech package. It suits you best if you want the most upscale Mazda6 experience.

The safety package starts with i-Activesense on every trim, while the upper trims add more advanced features as you move up the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mazda MAZDA6?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find opportunities.

• Deal availability: 26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 172 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.21% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 66.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,720.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6's resale value?

The current average of $20,133 sits slightly below last year's $20,799.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the car for a while. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim appeal rather than broad market momentum.

Because the Mazda6 is relatively rare and has strong enthusiast appeal, a well-kept example can still attract interest. Higher trims with desirable equipment may be easier to position later, especially if they are clean and well documented.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 safe?

The Mazda6 earns the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and the NHTSA's five-star rating in nearly every assessment.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Mazda bundles its active safety features under the i-Activesense banner, and every 2021 Mazda6 includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Grand Touring Reserve adds adaptive headlights, a wiper de-icer, and an Active Driving Display, while Signature adds driver-attention alert, traffic-sign recognition, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.

One caveat is that i-Activesense does not include a lane-centering function, which some competitors offer. That is not a dealbreaker for everyone, but it is worth knowing if you want the most advanced highway-assist setup.

Should I buy a 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 66.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.21% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model keeps the Mazda6’s stylish design, premium interior feel, and engaging driving character while adding the Carbon Edition for buyers who want a more distinctive look.

The bottom line: If you want the Mazda6’s best mix of style, driving enjoyment, and value, the 2021 is the year to target. If you are especially price-sensitive, you can still shop aggressively for a clean, well-kept example, but you should prioritize condition and trim content because the car’s age and dated technology are part of the trade-off.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.