Performance
The Mazda 6 is offered with a choice of two engines, each in two different states of tune. The 2.0-litre petrol comes with either 143bhp or 163bhp, both with a six-speed manual transmission (the lower-powered engine is also available with a six-speed automatic). Neither engine has much torque so they’ll have to be worked hard. The 2.2-litre diesel makes more sense; it’s available with 148bhp or 173bhp but the lesser of the two states of tune is quick enough, and frugal with it.
Ride & Handling
The 6's suspension is focused on precision, and certainly feels like it. Body control is well contained, but there could be a trade-off for this on UK roads, because the ride feels a little firm. The 6's electric power steering is perhaps the weakest point of the package; it's light and frustratingly vague around the straight-ahead.
Refinement
Both the petrol and diesel engines are refined companions when you get up to motorway speeds (wind noise from around the door mirrors will drown them out). However, Mazda has 'engineered in' an appealing noise when the engines are pushed hard; in our experience, that just means you hear too much from them when you’re trying to get a move on. Road noise is less of an issue - and is better still on 17-inch wheels instead of Sport spec's 19-inchers.
Behind The Wheel
The Mazda 6 has a comfortable driver’s seat and the dashboard is relatively uncluttered, with ventilation controls down low and the infotainment system up high. It’s just a shame that the new infotainment system still manages to look like an aftermarket fitment; Mazda needs to integrate it fully into the dash design, and remove a few of the stranger buttons while it’s at it; who uses a 12/24h button for the clock more than once?
Space & Practicality
The 6 has masses of room in the front and rear; it’s easy for a six-footer to sit behind a passenger of equal height, and three adults can sit alongside each other in the back. They won’t complain about leg- or headroom, either. The boot is a useful 489 litres, but the saloon body hampers its versatility. A hatchback version isn’t offered, either; Mazda believes that the Tourer model will fulfil customers’ needs for greater practicality.
Equipment
The 6 range starts with SE spec, which brings daytime running lights, electric door mirrors, keyless start, air-conditioning and a colour touch-screen as standard. Two further variants of this spec are available: SE-L, which adds rain-sensing wipers, climate control and front and rear parking sensors, and SE-L Nav, which brings TomTom sat-nav. Sport trim level gets 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a reversing camera, leather trim and keyless entry.
Buying & Owning
For such a large car, the Mazda 6 delivers great fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures. Even the petrol engine manages 129g/km. However, the star is the 148bhp diesel, which delivers 108g/km, enough to drop it one tax band beneath the cleanest Ford Mondeo. Stop-start is standard on all cars with manual gearboxes.
Quality & Reliability
The Mazda 6’s cabin is nicely finished, with a pleasing choice of high-grade materials. The switches are all familiar Mazda items, but they feel like they’re made to last. Mazda has done well in our most recent Reliability Survey and ahead of the likes of Peugeot and Citroen in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Safety & Security
Front, side and curtain airbags come as standard, and further safety features include radar-controlled cruise control, brake support - which warns the driver if they are too close to the car in front, and brakes if it detects an imminent accident - and Smart City Brake Support, which works between 2.5mph and 19mph to bring the car to a complete halt if it detects an imminent front-end collision.
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