Mazda6 range
Existing
Mazda owners may be surprised by the latest Mazda6, a family car with more than mere practicality to recommend it. Vanessa Hinkley checks it out
Mazda has always been a brand that shouts sensibility. If you discount the sporty MX-5 roadster, the rest of the line-up tends to be thought of as practical rather than passionate. Yet since the arrival of the Mazda6, thats been changing. This car has very little indeed in common with its predecessor, the 626 and thank goodness for that.
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Where the 626 was eminently forgettable, this is a car that will catch the eye, both in the driveway and on its way down the high street. Its unashamedly sporty, not only in its looks but in terms of ride and performance. If you dont like that, then you wont like this car. Fortunately, I did.
This car reminded me of the old Xedos 6 that
Mazda made a few years ago, but that car flattered to deceive. It looked sporty but didnt drive that way. The outside looked classy but the interior was lifted straight from the 626 all dull black plastic. This time, Mazda has done the job properly.
Take a
seat behind the wheel and theres a neatly sculpted aluminium-look centre console, a
smart big-button stereo and a classy sharp hooded fascia. Its different a refreshing change in a class of cars where everyone seems boringly intent on aping VW and
Audi. The steering wheel is a neat three-spoke item and feels good to hold, with fingertip controls for the stereo and the cruise control. The same could be said for the exterior.
The tail lights reminded me of those on the
Lexus IS200 - no bad thing - and the shape is neat, sleek and ineffably Oriental. Three body shapes are being offered; a four door saloon, a five-door hatchback and an estate version. I liked the sharky front end and the 17-inch wheels offered on the Sport model I tried give the car genuine presence. Its just a shame that they also punch up the severity of the ride so firmly.
Four engines are available three four-cylinder petrol powered units and two diesels. The petrol engines include a 1.8-litre that makes 119bhp, a 2.0-litre that generates 140bhp and a 2.
3-litre with sequential valve timing thats good for 165bhp. Corporate users may, however baulk at the emissions showings and find the 2.0-litre diesels better value. Mazda tell me that they identified several key requirements in the development of the Mazda6, one of which was to exceed the quietness and refinement of the best Japanese midsized vehicles.
In that respect, its hard to give an unqualified thumbs up, since this is one of those engines you can definitely hear at speed. Having said that, its a nice, sporty note that will please those who like their driving. If you really dont like engine noise, then the unit to go for is the flagship 2.3-litre four-cylinder, which does a passable imitation of a lazy V6.
The diesel engines come in either 121 or 136bhp guise and are very refined indeed. Whats important in the light of the legacy of the old 626 is that the Mazda6 is fun to drive. You will feel inclined to occasionally acquaint throttle pedal with carpet, to wind on extravagant licks of steering, to palm the gear selector about the gate with smug deftness. Its that sort of car.
I thought that the steering could use a little more feel but the set-up is certainly accurate enough and the chassis feels well up the task of handling all three engines.
Whichever version you choose, running costs are likely to be impressively low if the history of the old 626 is anything to go by. That car consistently excelled, both in German surveys and in the experience of British importers. Bear in mind too that the Mazda6 carries a three-year warranty. Equipment levels are strong across the range, the entry-level S specification being fitted with twin front, side, and front and rear roof airbags, should anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution prove insufficient.
Manual air conditioning, electric heated door mirrors, a Thatcham category 1 alarm and an inoffensive set of 16-inch alloys are also included in the price which starts at an eye-opening £13,900 for 1.8-litre power. The TS adds, amongst other features, a CD player, a trip computer, climate control, cruise control and a leather-rimmed steering wheel with stereo controls and the range opens at £15,400 in 2.0-litre guise.
The awkwardly titled TS2 ups the ante with stability and traction control systems plus emergency brake assist and a powerful BOSE audio system linked to a six-disc CD multichanger. Theres also a sunroof and the option of leather seats and sat-nav. The Mazda6 Sport is exclusively available with the 2.3-litre engine in five-door guise and sells for £18,400.
Featuring a rear spoiler, Xenon headlights, 17" alloy wheels and metallic paint.
With this car, Mazda has made a huge step forward. I would never have considered a medium range model from this marque before trying the Mazda6: now its a car that would be high up on my shopping list.
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