The decision to discontinue the Mazda6 means that Toyota is pretty much the only player in the large sedan segment with the Camry. With SUVs and crossovers now gaining favor among buyers, Japanese competitors such as the Accord, Cefiro/Altima/Teana, Galant and Korean alternatives like the Sonata and Optima have all called it quits in the Philippines.

In 2002, Mazda, then under Ford Philippines, launched the Mazda6 with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. While not a big seller against the Toyota Camry, Nissan Cefiro, and Honda Accord, it gained a cult following for its class-leading handling. In 2005, it was updated with a stronger motor. Along with spec improvements, the Mazda6 2.3 enabled it to win the 2005 Car of the Year – Philippines (read our review).

The second-generation Mazda6 rolled into the market in 2008 sporting a larger normally-aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (read our review).

Coinciding with Mazda’s change in exclusive distributorship to Berjaya Auto Philippines (now known as Bermaz Auto Philippines), the third-generation Mazda6 was introduced at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show. It was the first model to carry the full suite of Skyactiv Technology as well as the first to gain the free preventive maintenance service package; both of which are still present in current Mazda models.

The third-generation Mazda6 also managed to bag the 2013-2014 Car of the Year – Philippines (read our review).

Part of Mazda’s Bundled Product Planning strategy, the Mazda6 remained fresh throughout its 13-year lifecycle. 

In 2014, it received the Bose sound system and in 2015, it was enhanced for the first time (read our review) along with the availability of a wagon variant (read our review).

By 2016, Mazda offered the Mazda6 with a diesel engine and in 2019, it was extensively updated and was equipped with a third engine option: a 2.5-liter Dynamic Pressure Turbo (read our review of the diesel and of the turbo). It also received G-Vectoring Control.

In 2023, Mazda discontinued the sedan body style of the Mazda6, but introduced a series of design and feature updates to the wagon. Just before bowing out, the Mazda6 was offered with the 20th Anniversary Edition kit which offered Artisan Red outside of the CX-90 for the first time.

The Mazda6 is survived by the Mazda6e (known as the EZ6)—a fully electric sedan co-developed by Changan.