Mazda 626

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. 4,345,279 626 and Ford Telstar models were sold worldwide.

The 626 was also sold as the Ford Telstar in Asia, Australasia and Southern Africa, but this has been replaced by the European-sourced Ford Mondeo.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 80hp (60kW) 2.0L SOHC straight-4 F/MA engine, it performed well, with both Consumer Guide and Car and Driver magazines comparing it with a BMW. One innovative feature was a split-folding rear seat, increasing cargo capacity and flexibility tremendously. This first 626 was a hit, doubling Mazda's US sales.

The 626, like the Capella, used MacPherson struts in front with a four-link solid axle with coil springs in back. A five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission were offered, but the recirculating ball steering was something of a throwback in the class. The twin-carb engine was down to 75hp (56kW) in 1980, and a wide grille was introduced for 1981.

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 for 1983. The new 2.0L FE engine was up to 83hp (62kW). The rear suspension was now independent, and though the wheelbase remained the same as the previous model, it was an entirely different car.

A 626 GT' (also called the Turbo) was introduced in 1986 using the 120hp (89kW) and 150ft·lbf (203N·m) FET engine. The rest of the line got a new front clip with dual (rather than quad) headlights and an entirely new interior, and fuel injection on the base engine meant 93hp (69kW). A new four-speed automatic was introduced for 1987, the last year of this series.