2023 Mazda 6 Review

Now, though, the Mazda 6 has been out-trumped by SUVs in the world of family motoring, which is quite a shame, considering the Mazda6 never lost any of its family-friendly practicality, nor the impressive driving enjoyment over a conventional SUV.

Let’s take a closer look at the latest 2023 Mazda 6 range and see how they stack up in the ever-competitive world of family-friendly vehicles here in Australia.

Mazda 6 Competition

Starting Price: $35,540

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Mazda 6 range kicks off from $35,540 for the entry-level G25 Sport sedan, while the G25 Sport wagon is priced at $36,840.

From here, prices move to $40,210 and $41,510, respectively for the G25 Touring sedan and wagon variants, while the G35 GT SP is priced at $48,440 for the sedan and $49,470 for the wagon variant.

Moving to the range-topping G35 Atenza brings the price up to $51,840 for the sedan, capping out at $53,140 for the G35 Atenza wagon.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by getting one of OnlineAuto’s car buying agents to assist you in finding the greatest value model for you.

Mazda 6 (GT SP) Specifications

What Features Does the Mazda 6 Have?

Mazda’s entry-level Mazda 6 G25 Sport comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys, and receives automatic LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Mazda 6 G25 Touring adds a set of LED daytime running lamps, keyless entry, leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay, auto-folding side mirrors and an upgraded 11-speaker Bose sound system.

Opting for the Mazda 6 G35 GT SP adds a set of 19-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, leather upholstery and heated front and rear seats, while the range-topping G35 Atenza picks up a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, black Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated seats, a surround-view monitor and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Range Features:

• 17-inch alloys 

• Automatic LED headlights 

• Cloth upholstery with leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Head-up display 

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Leather upholstery (Touring) 

• 11-speaker Bose sound system (Touring) 

• 19-inch alloys (GT SP) 

• Adaptive headlights (GT SP) 

• Heated front & rear seats (GT SP) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Atenza) 

• Black Nappa leather upholstery (Atenza) 

• Surround-view monitor (Atenza)

• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster (Atenza)

Is the Mazda 6 Comfortable to Drive?

It takes just a few minutes behind the wheel of the Mazda 6 to get the impression that Mazda has designed its family-friendly sedan and wagons to be comfortable around town and extremely engaging when you put the pedal down.

Power for base G25 variants comes supplied by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 140kW of power and 252Nm of torque, while the G35 produces a much more engaging 173kW of power and 420Nm of torque thanks to a turbocharger.

Whichever you opt for, power is thrown to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission that behaves well and offers smooth shifts on a mix of town and country driving.

As a package, the Mazda 6 retains all the user-friendly hallmarks that have made compact and midsize SUVs so popular with a much more engaging platform that handles far better than a comparable SUV.

This means that it’s a pleasure to drive around town, squeeze in and out of car parks, navigate traffic and make for an extremely urban-friendly driving experience.

Where it really begins to shine, though, is when you leave town and hit higher speeds on long-distance journeys, where it remains impressively composed for a front-wheel-drive platform.

Admittedly, the suspension is on the firmer side - to help keep body roll to a minimum - though having said that, the ride isn’t sharp, and makes for a very versatile family package that is also smile-inducing when you have the road to yourself.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Mazda’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder engines are rated at 7.0L per 100km in the base model, with fuel economy figures rising up to 7.6L/100km in the turbocharged G35 range.

This makes it reasonably fuel efficient, though signifies how the Mazda 6 could use some hybrid assistance in the near future to close the gap to cars like the Toyota Camry when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While family buyers seem to move to SUV body shapes as a defacto family car, the Mazda 6, particularly in wagon form makes for an almighty family car that puts a number of midsize SUVs to shame.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a refined cabin layout, with even the base model picking up an attractive design that showcases Mazda’s class-leading interior designs.

In terms of space and comfort in the first row, there’s excellent headroom for tall drivers, while the driving position can be adjusted to suit a variety of shapes and sizes.

The Mazda 6’s interior layout is restrained, making it easy to familiarise yourself, and when put under the family test, handles loose items with confidence thanks to a pair of storage trays in the centre console, with added storage inside the armrest itself.

Move to the rear and there’s more than enough space for tall adults to get comfortable on long journeys, meaning you won’t hear any complaints from young kids seated in the rear, who also pick up air vents, USB chargers and a folding armrest with cup holders.

The second row of the Mazda 6 also offers a pair of ISOFIX anchors, as well as three top tether mounts to help accommodate a range of child seats.

In terms of cargo, the Mazda 6 has boot space figures of 474L in the sedan, expanding to 506L in the Mazda 6 wagon, with the 60:40 split-fold seats enabling 1648L of boot space potential, making it a truly family-friendly option.

Is it Safe?

The Mazda 6 has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 95% for adult protection, 91% for child protection, 66% for pedestrian protection and 73% for safety assist.

As standard, the Mazda 6 is fitted with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance, driver attention alerts, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

Upgrading to the Mazda 6 Touring adds a set of front-mounted parking sensors, while the GT SP picks up Cruising and Traffic assistance, and the range-topping Atenza receives a surround-view monitor.

Our Verdict: Is The Mazda 6 Worth it?

If you’re in the market for a family car that looks great inside and drives like a dream, the Mazda 6 remains a rock-solid option for family buyers.

Combining Mazda’s stunning interior designs with a generous features list and an impressively sporting nature in the case of turbocharged variants, the Mazda 6 is a versatile, practical and engaging platform in both sedan and wagon form.

If you’re tossing up your best options with the world of family-friendly motoring, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. Two engines available: 2.5-litre four-cylinder (G25) plus turbocharged (G35) variant 

3. Boot space between 474L (sedan) and 506L (wagon) 

4. Fuel economy between 7.0 - 7.6L/100km 

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating