Mazda Capella

Mazda Capella
Sixth-generation Mazda 626 sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	1970–2002
Body and chassis
Class	Compact (1970–1987) Mid-size (1987–2002)
Layout	FR layout (1970–1982) FF layout (1983–2005) 4WD layout (1991–2005)
Chronology
Successor	Mazda Atenza/Mazda6

The Mazda Capella, also known as the 626 in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, is a mid-size car that was manufactured by Mazda from 1970 until 2002. Sold in the Japanese domestic market under the Capella name, the vehicle was also commonly known in other major markets as the Mazda 626. Ford, Mazda's partner at the time, also used the Capella platform to create the Ford Telstar and Ford Probe. 4,345,279 of the 626 and Telstar models were sold worldwide.

Designed to compete against Japanese mid-size stalwarts such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Corona, and Nissan Bluebird, the Capella was succeeded by the Mazda6 (Atenza) in 2002.

The car was named after Capella, the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, the sixth-brightest in the night sky and the third-brightest in the northern celestial hemisphere, after Arcturus and Vega.