Mazda’s Mondeo rival the 6 received a comprehensive makeover last year, with better styling, new engines and a host of other refinements.
I spent an afternoon driving it at the time and declared myself pleased, but would my affection fade over the course of a week with the car? Not a bit, I’m pleased to report.
The Mazda proved a stylish and capable workhorse, whether it was pressed into service carrying a load of furniture or ferrying a friend to Edinburgh for her jaunt to New Zealand.
The Mazda6 range starts at £17,805 for the 1.8S. At £23,680 the 2.2 Diesel Sport I drove represents the top of the range.
Those who want their ‘sport’-badged cars sportier might be tempted to save £1000 and get the 2.5L petrol model. They’ll find it’s false economy, however.
With 170bhp, the petrol actually has 10bhp less than the diesel (although the diesel’s 100kg extra weight probably levels out the difference) and the petrol model only beats the diesel to 62mph by 0.3 seconds, getting there in 8.4 as opposed to 8.7 seconds.
The diesel returns 52mpg compared to the petrol’s 35, so it won’t take too many miles before you make up the additional cover price in fuel savings.
I’ve driven the 2.5L petrol unit and it’s a fine, if thirsty, engine. The diesel’s just as good, however, and in certain respects it’s better. There’s so much torque available low down the rev range that it’s easy to make swift progress without ever having to push the engine hard.
At 70mph in sixth it’s still only at a little over tickover, making it a fine motorway cruiser.TautOne of the big tasks Mazda did when they overhauled the 6 last year was to improve its suspension. Now it’s absorbent enough for those who do lengthy commutes but also taut enough to satisfy those who live at the end of an entertaining piece of country lane and earn the ‘sport’ badge it wears.
There’s a roomy cabin with the usual Mazda interior solid, good quality but not overly showy and plenty of space for two or three passengers in the back.
Boot capacity is 510 litres down slightly on class leader the Mondeo’s 528, but still pretty capacious.
For those who need extra room, there’s an estate version, but it only offers an extra nine litres of space and I’m far from convinced it’s worth the extra £1300.
Always known for reliability, the last few years have seen Mazda up their game when it comes to driving dynamics. They’ve done that with the 6, and they’ve improved its already fine looks to create one of the most handsome cars in its class.
The 6 is now a very fine all rounder.
Price: £23,680. 0-62mph: 8.7sec. Top speed: 135mph. Fuel economy: 52.3mpg. CO2 emissions: 142g/km.