The Mazda 626 was a family car produced by Mazda for the export market. It is based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's family car.
The 626 was also sold as the Ford Telstar in Asia, Australasia and Southern Africa, but this has been replaced by the European-sourced Ford Mondeo.
Predecessors
The 1971 616 and 1972 618 had been modest successes in the United States, each lasting just a single year. By 1980, the American public was ready for a midsize piston-engined Mazda, and the 626 has been a top seller for the marque ever since.
1979
The first Mazda 626 in most markets appeared in 1979. It was a rear wheel drive compact, little changed from the Japan-market Mazda Capella it was based on. With a 75 hp 2.0 L SOHC straight-4 F/MA engine, it performed well, with both Consumer Guide and Car and Driver magazines comparing it with a BMW. One innivative feature was a split-folding rear seat, increasing cargo capacity and flexibility tremendously. This first 626 was a hit, doubling Mazda's US sales.
Engine:
- 1979-1982 2.0 L F/MA I4, 75 hp
1983
The front-wheel drive model appeared in 1983 with the GC platform. It was named Import Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine and Car of the Year by Wheels magazine's for 1983. The new 2.0 L FE engine was up to 83 hp, with an extra 10 hp available with a new fuel injected engine a few years later. A 626 Turbo was introduced in 1986 using the 116 hp (87 kW)/137 ft.lbf (186 Nm) FET engine.
Engines:
- 1983-1987 2.0 L FE I4, 83 hp/93 hp
- 1986-1987 2.0 L FET I4, 116 hp (87 kW) and 137 ft.lbf (186 Nm)
1988
The 626 was updated for 1988 on the GD platform, also used by the previous-year Capella. It was available as a sedan and hatchback, but the coupe model was replaced by the new Mazda MX-6. A station wagon was introduced for the first time. Though the MX-6 was built in Michigan at AutoAlliance International, the 626 was still a Japanese import.
Consumer response was strong, and Car and Driver magazine named the 626 and MX-6 to their Ten Best list for 1988.
Engines were new and more powerful. The base model now used Mazda's 2.2 L F2 producing just 6 hp shy of the old Turbo, and the new Turbo was up to 145 hp. Rear wheel steering was available, but not very successful.
Engine options:
1993
In 1993 the Mazda 626 saw big changes in body style and powerplants since the 626 moved to an entirely different platform. It was now based on the GE platform along with Mazda's more upmarket Cronos. The 626 was again Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for a second time in 1992.
Changes like new transmissions were designed to give the car more of a "sports car" feel, and production was moved to AutoAlliance. This, and the car's component sources, allowed the 626 to be certified as a domestic car. The wagon and hatchback models were dropped for the US market but retained elsewhere alongside the sedan.
Engine options:
- 1993-1997 2.0 L F I4, 118 hp
- 1993-1997 2.5 L KL V6, 164 hp
1998
1998 brought the fifth-generation 626, now on the GF platform. It was built by AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan.
From 1997 through 1999 the 626 was given an engine overhaul to give it better pedal feel. However, as most car reviews will attest, was a bland vehicle.
Engine options:
- 1998-2002 1.8 L F I4, 100 hp
- 1998-2002 2.0 L F I4, 125 hp
- 1998-2002 2.5 L KL V6, 170 hp
2002
The 626/Capella was replaced with the GG platform Mazda6 (called the Atenza in Japan) in 2002. The Mazda6 is now sold across the world in 3 different body styles, A sedan, a 5 door hatchback and a wagon. World sales have been good for the 6 despite a slower take off in North America.
