The great-looking Mazda6 can no longer be called an alternative choice - it is a choice!
The latest Mazda6 has been made over to deliver better performance in an even better looking package. With over 400 changes made, we were curious to see the result. Motors took the five-door, 129bhp, 2.2-litre diesel version for a test and racked up a lot of pleasant kilometres without any fuss.
On the outside Mazda6 has pinched enough curves, bulges, creases and styling cues from its more desirable siblings to make it a very appealing choice for anyone contemplating a Mondeo or Avensis. My test car is in 'Sport' specification, so it has beautiful, big 18-inch alloys and, of course, the new freshened-up sportier exterior. Mazda6 has impressive road presence and certainly cuts a dash in the company car park. You can get estate and saloon versions also.
Inside the cabin is big and accommodating. Mazda has worked hard to improve the car's level of NVH (noise/vibration/harshness). There is a nice driver focus up front and plenty of kit as standard to keep an up-and-coming executive happy. The hatchback is very versatile and DIY enthusiast-friendly. The grades available start with Executive and rise up to Executive SE, Sport and Z-Sport. Sport and Z-Sport models get 'Hill Hold Assist' and rear vehicle monitoring or blind spot indicator system (built in to the side mirrors) as standard. The only downside in what is a car aimed at business users and the maturing family is the lack of standard fit Bluetooth (that's a biggie!), but it is due on all 2011 models. On the upside, my test car falls into tax band 'B', attracting just €156 road tax per annum. An 'Aux' input for your MP3/iPod is standard on all models bar entry-level, while the top spec 6 gets an eight speaker Bose sound system.
On the open road the Mazda6 handles well. Suspension and ride revisions work well and the end result is good. The base 2.2-litre turbo diesel is a strong puller with 340nm of torque (+30nm over the old model). This makes it easy to cruise effortlessly and economically. The new 6 uses roughly 7% less fuel to do the same job.
If you want more power there is a 2.2 with 180bhp (hatchback only). The 6 corners well and can be a lot of fun when pressing on, but I would like brakes with a bit more stopping power to complement the car's impressive go-forward ability. The turbos used are now smaller and more efficient. Both diesels get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the petrol 1.8 and 2-litre (automatic only) make do with a five-speed box and 16-inch wheels. The petrol versions are available as four-door only. Mazda6 is safe, too, with a five-star NCAP score and the usual electronic driver aids as standard.
There are a lot of good looking cars in this sector - Ford Mondeo, Citroen C5 and Insignia to name just three - but Mazda6 manages to hint at a couple of class acts like Mazda's MX-5 (€23,495) and stunning RX-8 coupe and this helps give it a style edge. Prices start from a competitive €25,485.
Michael Sheridan
