bears a close family resemblance to the more expensive Mazda Millenia--no bad

thing--while the rear has been given a couple of small detail changes. The overall

design is tidy, smooth and nicely proportioned, but it still shades toward the

anonymous, and the shape has the additional drawback of familiarity. It's been with us

since the 1993 model year.

On the other hand, a no-chances exterior design doesn't seem to hurt the Toyota Camry,

a mainstream middie that's more expensive and not as entertaining to drive.

There's also an ongoing perception that the 626 is a little pricey, something that was

true when it was launched. But Mazda has addressed this problem by holding back on

annual price hikes. At $15,495, a basic 626 DX sedan costs a tad more than a Honda

Accord DX ($15,100) but considerably less than a Camry DX ($16,758).

Stir V6 power into the mix, and Mazda's competitive position improves considerably.

A Camry LE V6 starts at $22,448, an Accord LX V6 at $22,500, both with automatic

transmissions as standard equipment.

Our 626 LX V6 test car stickered out at $19,895, almost squarely on the average price

for a new car these days in this country, and a whole bunch less than its prime

competitors from Toyota and Honda.

True, an automatic transmission would have bumped the price $800 closer to the Camry

and Accord. But you'd still drive home with a lot more money in your pocket. And

anyway, the combination of the V6 and 5-speed transmission is a natural in a car with

this kind of sporting spirit. It's also a combination that's simply not available in

Camry and Accord V6 models.

Power talk: Mazda's 2.5-liter dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 is one of the absolute

best in the business, overshadowed only slightly by Ford's new 2.5-liter Duratec V6.

At 160 horsepower, it doesn't have quite as much absolute output as the bigger Camry

and Accord V6 engines, but it doesn't have as much mass to drag around, either.

A V6-powered 626 weighs in at 2899 lbs., compared to 3241 lbs. for the Camry and 3219

for the Accord.

Less is invariably better when it comes to vehicle curb weights. It adds up to better

handling--less mass to shift back and forth in quick maneuvers--as well as better

straight ahead performance and shorter stopping distances.

Stamp on the gas pedal and the 626 hustles to 60 mph in a smidge over seven seconds,

emitting a refined snarl in the process.

Why all the emphasis on power?

Well, for one thing, besides enhancing the fun-to-drive quotient, power can

legitimately be viewed as a safety feature.

It's always nice to have a little extra when you pull out to pass on a country back

road and a 10-ton truck suddenly materializes in the oncoming lane. But in the case

of the 626, the car doesn't really show to good advantage without the V6.

The standard 114-hp 2.0-liter 4-cyl. engine is strictly ho-hum compared to the basic

4-cyl. powerplants in the Accord and Camry, as well as the Ford Contour, Nissan Altima

and a good many others.

It seems clear that tepid base-engine performance is one of the key elements holding the 626 back in the sales department.