The primary difference between plain and fancy 626s is apparent from the first turn of the ignition key. The DX and LX are powered by a 118-hp 4-cylinder engine, while LX-V6 and ES get a 164-hp V6. Choosing one powerplant over the other is a matter of economy: The base engine is miserly; the V6 uses more fuel and, naturally, adds more to the price tag.
There's nothing wrong with the smaller engine. It provides acceptable performance with either a 5-speed manual or a
4-speed automatic transmission, and it's reasonably refined.
But the V6 is a treat for anyone who enjoys driving and thus comes highly recommended. It is smooth and quiet, and it gives the 626 a sporty feel the standard 4-cylinder simply can't match.
The top V6 model also gets standard 4-wheel disc brakes and anti-lock brakes. We're pleased to report that the brakes on our test ES endured lots of hard use without any problems.
Regardless of model, the 626 has a sophisticated and well-developed suspension, capable of soaking up bumps while delivering a smooth ride. Road noise and harshness are filtered out instead of transmitted to the interior.
There is some body roll during cornering, but this is more noticeable from outside the car. Some of our test drivers would have preferred a little less power assist to the steering, but all gave it high marks for precision.