Mazda is one of the most popular brands sold in Australia.
The Mazda 6 the choice for many buyers in the mid sized market.
Figures to July 2013 show it was the second highest seller in the segment, (4,933) behind Toyota's Camry. (12,196) (VFACTS)
Until recently Mazda had no diesel passenger cars on sale here.
Thankfully the company recognised the need for one, thanks to growing demand from consumers for high torque, extremely fuel efficient diesel powered vehicles.
So, enter the Mazda 6 diesel
Coincidentally the car on test here has a similar engine to last week's XF Jaguar. Both are 2.2 litre diesels, The Jaguar has 450 nm of torque, the Mazda 420. The Jaguar develops 140 kw, the Mazda 129. Both have similar average fuel consumption...around 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres, and both have the now familiar "idle stop" fuel saving feature..
The Mazda to it's credit,outshines the Jag in noise levels. the engine is quieter that the British luxury brand.
Straight line performance is also almost on par.
You won't find the Mazda lagging when given full throttle, it leaps ahead with real gusto.
The Mazda 6 even looks a little like the Jaguar in profile, a sleek handsome shape that is very eye catching.
But that's where the similarity ends.
The ride quality on the Mazda 6 is disappointing...it's much too firm for a mid range semi luxury family car. You feel every bump and crack in the road. I was expecting a slightly more plush, less sporty system. That said, the taut suspension does enable swift cornering, with no noticeable body roll.
I say it's disappointing because the rest of the car is terrific.
The interior looks classy, like it belongs in a much more expensive model.
Quality materials well put together,are evident everywhere.
The dashboard layout surrounding the large central information touch screen is just right.
It has an excellent reversing camera, sat nav, and controls for the superior 11 speaker Bose sound system.
Like BMW, Audi and Mercedes, there is a console mounted "mouse " that allows you to choose the information you'd like to appear on the screen.
I like the trim combination on this car very much. Ivory coloured perforated leather seats, contrast well with the darker dash panel and door cards, with a minimal amount of fake wood.
The seats themselves are well shaped and supportive, and multi adjustable electronically.
Visibility is good all round, and there's enough head and leg room front and rear to suit even the tallest occupants.
Interior lighting is excellent. Overhead lamps light up the cabin like a Christmas tree.
Steering feel is good, no vagueness here, and the wheel itself adjusts for reach and rake.
There's also a hill hold feature that allows you to get off the brake and on the gas without having the car roll backwards.
The boot is exceptionally large and contains a full sized spare tyre, a rarity on many of today's cars.
One feature that needs updating is the keyless entry/start system.Other Mazda models have a door handle button to lock and open the car. It's very convenient and saves fishing in bags and pockets for the key fob every time you go for a drive.
The 6 needs the fob buttons pressed for these functions, then the car starts with a dashboard button. the key in your pocket.
It's a small point but I found it irritating, after using the aforementioned system.
The bonnet is extremely heavy.It takes some considerable effort to raise it.
It's a real struggle to hold it up with one hand, while the other battles to fit the support rod. Some owners might have to have someone else lend a helping hand for this usually simple operation. A couple of gas struts are desperately needed here Mazda.
The Mazda 6 has all the bells and whistles you'd expect and some nice surprises regarding equipment levels, especially considering the price, around 40K.
A softer, more comfortable, compliant suspension would be the icing on the cake.
Peter Sellen
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