Hey, I own a '17. Has been a good car so far, and I will not say it's been unreliable. Note that I don't have cylinder de-activation. I would never have bought it had it had that. I do keep up with the Mazda6 and Mazda3 forums, and CD continues to be rough for a number of owners... not all. It's moot though because we're discussing a turbo Mazda6 which does not have CD.
My sense is that the Mazda engineers are a talented bunch and the cars are reliable if not durable. They are built to a budget. Most cars are, but Mazda's are "light" with sheet metal gauge, light with galvanizing, light with paint thickness, light with carpet quality. Mazda's WILL go the distance... but it's my sense that to not look ratty soon they need a bit more care.
Believe it or not, what are more "rough and tumble", are my '99Camry and my '99 Corolla... I know, I know... from a different era...
My sense is that the Mazda engineers are a talented bunch and the cars are reliable if not durable. They are built to a budget. Most cars are, but Mazda's are "light" with sheet metal gauge, light with galvanizing, light with paint thickness, light with carpet quality. Mazda's WILL go the distance... but it's my sense that to not look ratty soon they need a bit more care.
Believe it or not, what are more "rough and tumble", are my '99Camry and my '99 Corolla... I know, I know... from a different era...