Mazda 6 car review
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Ten Point Test
Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 81%
The European saloon car market is one of the most hotly fought in the world, with big hitters including the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord all fighting for buyers.
Can the all-new Mazda 6 cut it? We drove one for a week to find out.
1. Looks 8/10
The original Mazda 6 was one of the best looking saloon cars available when it went on sale, and the new one doesn’t disappoint. It has sharp lines and advanced headlights which lend it a sporty and modern demeanour. Its wide wheelarches and aggressive front grille also give it strong visual links with the Mazda RX-8 sports car, which is certainly no bad thing.
2. Looks inside 8/10
The spacious cabin of the Mazda 6 is well laid out and feels fresh and modern. The dials glow an attractive blue and red at night and are surrounded by a metal cowling, giving the car added character. It’s reasonably sporty too, thanks to its round air vents and the flashes of metal which adorn the dashboard.
3. Practicality 8/10
The Mazda 6 has a big boot (510 litres) and even more space with the rear seats quickly folded flat (1702 litres). The Mazda 6 Estate has even more rear room – 1751 litres to be precise. With a tow bar fitted, trailers weighing a maximum of 1,700kgs can be pulled safely. Roof bars, dog bars and a boot trunk system are all available.
4. Ride and Handling 9/10
The first Mazda 6 was one of the best handling cars in its class, and the newcomer is no exception. The steering immediately feels responsive and crisp and there is little slack in the handling, body roll is almost none existent and there is lots of grip, while the ride is still comfortable enough to make long distance driving a soothing experience. But, its excellent credentials in this area still can’t quite match those of the class leading Ford Mondeo.
5. Performance 7/10
The Mazda 6 is available with a 1.8-litre, 2-litre and 2.5-litre petrol and a 2-litre diesel engine. The 2-litre diesel is expected to be most popular in the UK, and it’s a punchy engine with a smooth delivery. It accelerates from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 10.5 seconds and has a top speed of 127mph. The fastest model in the range is the 2.5-litre petrol with 166bhp and 167lb/ft of pulling power, with a top speed of 137mpg.
6. Running Costs 8/10
The Mazda 6 is well priced and its engines are designed with economy in mind. Despite its price premium, the 2-litre diesel is the most economical (50mpg average consumption) and has the lowest emissions (149g/km) and will cost the least to tax, in band D. Petrol models cover between 36.7, 39.8 and 40.9mpg on average for the 1.8, 2 and 2.5-litre respectively.
7. Reliability 9/10
Mazda has an impressive reputation for building thoroughly engineered and reliable cars. The previous generation Mazda 6 proved very reliable, and there is no reason the new model shouldn’t be even better.
8. Safety 8/10
Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and dynamic stability control work to prevent skids. Active front head restraints move forward in a rear impact to minimise injury (including whiplash) and seatbelt pre-tensioners hold passengers in place. There are also front, side and curtain airbags.
9. Equipment 8/10
The entry level S model gets the full complement of safety kit, automatic lights, CD player, 16-inch alloy wheels and body coloured bumpers. TS models get cruise control, climate control, multifunction leather steering wheel and a trip computer. TS2 adds 17-inch alloys, 6-CD changer, electric folding door mirrors, Bluetooth communications, front fog lights and automatic wipers. Sport models get 18-inch alloy wheels, body kit, half leather trim, tyre pressure monitor and Bi-xenon headlights. The range-topping Sport Luxury gets electric front seats, sunroof, leather and heated seats, Bose sound and front and rear parking sensors.
10. X-Factor 8/10
The Mazda 6 is one of the best looking saloon cars on sale thanks to its sharp looks. It also has good build quality, reliability and a ‘premium feel’ and gives saloon car customers an interesting alternative to the rest of the pack – especially the soon-to-be-common Ford Mondeo.
Key facts
Model tested: Mazda 6 2-litre diesel Sport
On the road price: £20,670
Price range: £15,110
Date tested: July 2008
Road tester: Andy Goodwin