There's something about this segment that convinces manufacturers it's best to play it safe on styling and the 626 is no exception. It's a handsome vehicle, stylish, but not showy, with a subtle wedge shape and clear hints of the elegant Mazda Millenia. That's most apparent from the frontal view, adorned with a new grille and tasteful brightwork. Elsewhere, Mazda has chosen to tone down the use of chrome.Take out a tape measure and you'll discover that overall body length is up 2.4 inches, while the wheelbase has been stretched 2.3 inches. Its a smart move in an era when bigger is better, and gives the 626 a more solid, luxurious appearance. It seems that some of the extra length has been used for purely cosmetic purposes, but Mazda did boost interior room and trunk space. There's a reason why cars like Camry and Accord dominate the market. They're dependable, solid and provide an assuring sense of stability. (They also have many more dealerships and much larger advertising budgets.) Mazda has clearly taken aim at these benchmarks, and you can get a measure of its success when you learn that the body has 43 percent more torsional rigidity than the previous 626 generation. Along with other improvements made by Mazda engineers, that translates into improved ride and handling, as well as lower levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Our 626 came with a respectable complement of standard equipment, including a power moonroof, dual power mirrors, leather trimmed interior and a 6-way power driver's seat. Safety and security features added dual airbags, remote keyless entry and an anti-theft engine immobilizer to the list.
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