As a result, the Mazda 6 has cemented itself a top spot in the world of medium-sized sedans, offering family-friendly practicality in an entertaining package thanks to its agile handling and sports car-like steering.
The Midsize Master of Family-Friendly Fun
Mazda has taken a fresh approach to the design of the Mazda 6, offering buyers a family-friendly package that is far more entertaining to drive than your standard family sedan.
Mazda’s unique approach places an emphasis on how fun and engaging its midsize sedan is to drive, and the end result is an impressive and engaging package that remains comfortable and subdued on an average commute, while offering some sports car-like thrills on an open road.
The base model comes powered by a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder pushing out 140kW of power and 252Nm of torque, while GT SP and Atenza variants gain a turbocharger that brings power to 170kW and 420Nm of power.
That means that the base model comes with a heap of power for your average midsize sedan, while the range-toppers offer a seriously impressive power output that is set to impress all drivers that get behind the wheel.
Within minutes, you’ll notice the agile handling and the informative feedback through the steering wheel at speed, which makes the Mazda 6 feel like a true performer with a heap more potential than most of its rivals.
On the road, the Mazda 6 remains comfortable on a daily drive, even on some of the rougher road surfaces here in Australia, while the sturdy suspension works away at minimising body roll to keep it flat through corners and the G-Vectoring system brakes the inside wheel to make the package more agile in corners.
The end result is a midsize sedan with impressive performance credentials for a vehicle that isn’t necessarily designed as a sports car, but it retains an impressive range of abilities regardless.
It isn’t all about sports car thrills, though, with the Mazda 6 remaining silky-smooth on a daily drive thanks, with impressive fuel economy standing at 7.0L/100km for the base and 7.6L/100km for the turbocharged lineup.
Sleek, Well-Appointed and Feature-Rich Styling
The updated Mazda 6 lineup makes a positive first impression thanks to the sleek, swooping lines that weave from the bonnet to the rear pillar, and looks great in both sedan and wagon variants.
The base models gain 17-inch alloys while the GT SP & Atenza gain 19-inch rims that add its the road presence, while the body receives an updated front grille and chrome accents from top to bottom.
As per usual with Mazda, the quality, fit and finish and textiles used throughout the interior are a particular highlight of the Mazda 6 package, and culminate in a cabin that looks far more expensive than its price tag might suggest.
Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a clean interior design that features the 8.0-inch infotainment screen atop the sleek dashboard, and while the base models receive cloth upholstery, you still get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.
Stepping up the range to the Touring variant adds black leather upholstery and powered front seats, while the GT SP and Atenza gain premium finishes and features like burgundy leather, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats and even brown or white Nappa leather upholstery inside the cabin with genuine wood inserts for the door and dashboard.
There’s a heap of space in the front of the cabin for tall drivers, which is complemented by a fully-adjustable driving position and a heap of practical storage areas for loose items.
The second row of the cabin gives rear passengers a heap of legroom, although headroom can be tight for tall rear passengers in the sedan, making the wagon variant perhaps the best option for a growing family.
In terms of practicality in the rear, there’s a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts for child seats, while the Mazda 6 has a boot rated at 474L in the sedan and 506L in the wagon variant.
Our Verdict
While the Mazda 6 might not be the outright winner for the midsize sedan market, it offers buyers one of the most dynamic and entertaining packages within the segment, which means it’ll make you smile far more than its rivals on a spirited journey.
One area in which the Mazda 6 excels is the quality of its interior design, as well as the updated entertainment and safety equipment lists that now present a more attractive value for money proposition than ever before.
For all its sporty underpinnings, the Mazda 6 remains impressively user-friendly and comfortable on a daily drive, and is a versatile all-rounder for the sedan segment very much deserving of your time, and a spot on your shortlist.
Five Things You Need to Know
- Five-year, unlimited KM warranty
- 12-month/10,000km service intervals
- Five-star ANCAP safety rating
- Two engines available; 2.5-litre petrol & 2.5-litre turbo petrol
- 474 boot space; 506L in wagon variant
Pros
- Smooth engine and transmission combination
- Agile and entertaining handling
- Segment-leading interior design & craftmanship
- Generous equipment lists for entry-level variant
- Updated safety and entertainment feature lists
Cons
- Limited headroom in the second row for tall passengers in sedan form
- Infotainment system is beginning to show signs of age
- Short service intervals
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