View more pictures of the Mazda 6 Estate

The stylish Mazda 6 hatchback has given the large family car buyer a credible and handsome rival to the best in its class. It embodies Mazda's Zoom-Zoom ethos, but that was the first phase of the new car, and its assault on the Ford Mondeo has only just begun.

Mazda has added new engines and new bodystyles to the range, making it appeal to more buyers.

The range now includes a saloon version – which will only sell in small numbers in the UK – and a cavernous estate. And a punchy 2-litre diesel has also joined the range.

The new Estate is 30mm longer and 50mm taller (including roof rails) than the hatchback and Mazda has maximised this extra space further by the widest tailgate floor in its class behind the wheels, allowing bulkier items to be placed further back for easier loading.

Its boot is huge, growing from 519 to 1,751 litres, and Mazda claim the 6 Estate has one of the widest openings in its class, and the load floor is longer than the outgoing estate.

The Mazda 6 Estate features a clever tonneau cover, which rather than having to be pulled across like conventional systems, clips to the bootlid and lifts with it. It can detach to be stored in the boot when not in use.

Sporty nature

On the road, the Mazda 6 is as polished as its predecessor, offering a fairly firm but sporty ride, and communicative and responsive steering. The latter may be a little light for some buyers, but it's easy to place the car on the road.

And the two engines we tested – the new 2-litre diesel and a revised version of the 2-litre petrol first found in the recently-facelifted Mazda 5 – were both refined and powerful, although the diesel had the edge, thanks to its huge reserves of pulling power.

The diesel engine produces 138bhp and 243lb/ft of pulling power at just 2,000rpm. That means effortless overtaking potential by changing down a gear or two through the slick six-speed manual 'box. Headline figures are 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.

Mazda offers three petrol units in 1.8-litre (not available in the estate), 2-litre and 2.5-litre sizes. We've already driven the 2.5-litre in the Mazda 6 hatchback and were impressed by its gutsy nature.

View more pictures of the Mazda 6 Estate

New equipment level

Mazda continues with its simple naming conventions – S, TS, TS2 and Sport – but adds a fifth level; SL, or Sport Luxury for the estate and saloon versions.

That's an indication of how serious Mazda is about the estate version, which is expected to make up around 20 per cent of sales; up from 12 per cent.

And the entry-level S model isn't available on the slow-selling four-door saloon.

All models are well appointed, with the S model featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, electric mirrors, electric front and rear windows and air-con. The TS model adds heated mirrors, cruise control and dual-zone climate control.

Step up to the TS2 and you'll find larger 17-inch alloys, auto-dimming rear view mirror, folding mirrors, automatic headlights and wipers, 6-CD charger, front foglamps and Bluetooth handsfree system.

The Sport model adds half leather upholstery, 18-inch alloys with a tyre pressure monitoring system, bright bi-xenon headlights, a 'Sports Appearance' bodykit pack, keyless entry with a start button (petrol models only), heated front seats and a loud BOSE audio system.

The range-topping SL level is restricted to the saloon and estate only and adds full leather upholstery, front and rear park sensors, an electric sunroof and electric front seats – but does without the Sport model's bodykit.

Lower emissions, improved consumption

Mazda has employed a great degree of weight saving in the new 6. Without the use of lightweight materials, the new, bigger car would weigh around 90kgs more; but in fact its 50kgs lighter than the vehicle it replaces.

That means better fuel consumption and lower emissions. The 2-litre model can return an average of 39.2mpg or 36.2mpg for the automatic version. The diesel can cover an impressive 49.6mpg.

And the diesel emits an impressive 149g/km of CO2, placing it in tax band C, costing just £115 while the 2-litre petrol is slightly more polluting, with its 171g/km (185g/km for the auto).

Insurance is competitive too, ranging from group 8 to 13.

But the key to the Mazda 6 Estate's success is likely to be its purchase price – it's cheaper than most of its equivalently-equipped rivals.

And with an incredible 1.2 million Mazda 6's sold since 2002, the new car is set to add to that impressive tally.

View more pictures of the Mazda 6 Estate