The Mazda 6 vary launched in Australia 20 years in the past, and the current-generation mannequin has been round for greater than half of that point.
Having debuted late in 2012, the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon line-up stays a horny proposition – fairly actually – for patrons who’re in search of a automotive, not an SUV or ute.
And with this delicate replace to the ageing vary, the model has added a flagship twentieth Anniversary Version which has just a few fancy thrives, together with the eye-catching new Artisan Purple paintwork at no further value. That hue is unique to the top-spec 6, however you’ll be seeing extra of it quickly because it’s the hero color for the brand new flagship CX-90.
The Mazda 6 seemingly isn’t lengthy for this world, given it’s so lengthy within the tooth, nevertheless it nonetheless affords quite a bit for patrons who’re after this form of automotive – preserve studying to search out out all the small print.
How a lot does the Mazda 6 value?
The 2023 Mazda 6 vary consists of 5 grades, every with the selection of sedan or wagon, and admittedly it’s wonderful that the model can justify such complexity for such a distinct segment mannequin in 2023 and past.
I’m no product planner, however I reckon they might simply trim it again to 2 grades and nonetheless simply meet the calls for of the market.
Pricing ranges from $35,540 to $54,395 earlier than on-road prices – that means rivals are fairly few and much between.
For those who’re okay with a sedan, the Toyota Camry – which remains to be top-of-the-line sedans you will get – begins at $32,490 and tops out at $48,490, and it comes with hybrid energy out there throughout the vast majority of the line-up.
And if that’s not fairly your model, then there’s the Skoda Octavia, which may be had as a sedan or wagon, with pricing beginning at $39,290 for the 110TSI Fashion sedan and topping out with the favored RS wagon variant, at $53,090.
2023 Mazda 6 pricing:
2023 Mazda 6 G25 Sport Sedan: $35,540 (+$300)2023 Mazda 6 G25 Sport Wagon: $36,840 (+$300)2023 Mazda 6 G25 Touring Sedan: $40,210 (+$570)2023 Mazda 6 G25 Touring Wagon: $41,510 (+$570)2023 Mazda 6 G35 GT SP Sedan: $48,440 (+$1000)2023 Mazda 6 G35 GT SP Wagon: $49,470 (+$1000)2023 Mazda 6 G35 Atenza Sedan: $51,840 (+$1000)2023 Mazda 6 G35 Atenza Wagon: $53,140 (+$1000)2023 Mazda 6 twentieth Anniversary Sedan: $53,635 (NEW)2023 Mazda 6 twentieth Anniversary Wagon: $54,935 (NEW)
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Mazda 6 like on the within?
Anticipating massive modifications? Sorry. Not right here, champion.
Properly, that’s until you’re sitting within the twentieth Anniversary mannequin, which does have quite a lot of new trim components that may attraction to some patrons, however I discovered them a bit, er, senior. That matches with the “Mature Class” design idea for the Mazda 6 particular, however like I mentioned, it received’t be to all tastes.
These trim modifications embody the tan Nappa leather-based seat trim, Leganu artificial suede throughout the dashboard and on the doorways, tan-coloured inside stitching and timber-look inserts within the instrument panel.
Together with the embossed headrests, it gives the look that this automotive is designed to attraction to a really particular buyer. Most likely a white dude who likes to play golf, who thinks he’s too intelligent to purchase a ‘actual’ luxurious sedan.
I spent most of my time within the G35 GT SP, which now has burgundy leather-based trim that appears nice, and has good soft-touch finishes which can be a bit extra, let’s say, youthful.
Both method, one factor that’s mature is the media system, which is the outdated MZD Join unit from, nicely, a decade in the past, however it’s got some first rate connectivity choices together with wi-fi and wired Apple CarPlay (wired just for G25 Sport), and wired Android Auto.
It has that old-school strategy from Mazda which meant that, at a standstill, you can use the display screen as a touchscreen, which is helpful for smartphone mirroring.
However for those who’re driving, controls have to be completed utilizing the rotary dial or voice instructions. There are some shortcut buttons close to the controller to leap between menus, nevertheless it nonetheless isn’t as easy appropriately.
Nonetheless, I’m a fan of the opposite handbook controls for the local weather system and media unit, that are so significantly better than every part having to be routed via a display screen as is the case in lots of different vehicles nowadays.
As for storage, there are cup holders between the seats, a small centre console field with two USB ports, bottle holders within the doorways and – in all however the base grade – there’s a wi-fi cellphone charger, too.
As for rear seat area and luxury, the sedan stays a barely extra nice alternative for legroom, however fashions with the sunroof (Atenza and twentieth Anniversary) have a bit much less headroom within the again.
The wagon’s shorter wheelbase does play an element in again seat area for adults, with a smidge much less on provide, nevertheless it has a barely extra ethereal feeling because of its less-sloped roofline.
There are rear air vents in all grades, map pockets on the seatbacks, and bottle holders within the doorways. Plus all variations have a fold-down armrest with two extra USB cost factors, plus within the high-grade fashions there are outboard seat heater buttons in that drop-down, together with cup holders.
The again row options ISOFIX baby seat anchors within the window seats and three top-tether factors, too.
In terms of boot area, the extra sensible alternative would be the wagon. It affords an even bigger opening for loading objects in, and a bit extra cargo capability in addition.
Mazda claims the boot quantity is 506 litres, versus 474L within the sedan (which has a good-sized opening that’s little question designed to simply accommodate simple loading for a set of golf golf equipment). Fold down the 60:40 split-fold seats and also you open up 1648L of cargo area.
All grades have a space-saver spare wheel fitted underneath the boot flooring.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
There’s a alternative of two engines for the 2023 Mazda 6 vary, with the entry-level variations scoring the G25 atmo petrol, and high-spec fashions coming with the – ahem – significantly better G35 turbo petrol motor.
The G25 is a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 140kW of energy (6000rpm) and 252Nm of torque (4000rpm).
The G35 is a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 173kW of energy (4250rpm) and 420Nm of torque (2000rpm). For these taking part in alongside at residence, you may discover that this engine has seen a 3kW bump, and Mazda claims its engineers “optimised engine management and turbocharger increase stress” to eke out the additional energy.
Each engine decisions come completely with a six-speed computerized transmission and all Mazda 6 fashions in Australia are front-wheel drive.
How does the Mazda 6 drive?
Don’t go considering you’ll be capable to really feel the additional three kilowatts whenever you drive the G35 mannequin, however what you’ll really feel is a reasonably easy and highly effective engine doing its work.
The G35 mill is definitely the decide of the pack right here, with a nice willingness to rev and a great quantity of low- to mid-range urge underneath throttle, too. Hit the Sport button, and it’ll genuinely push you again in your seat, with nice acceleration response.
The six-speed computerized transmission does a great job of selecting gears for you, and it didn’t get it fallacious as soon as over just a few hundred kays of driving within the turbo mannequin on the launch occasion. The shifts are fairly fast and easy too, even in Sport mode.
The Mazda 6 has at all times been a good factor to drive, albeit with a firmer edge to its suspension that isn’t helped whenever you select one of many higher-grade fashions on 19-inch wheels with low-profile tyres. Even so, it’s by no means clumsy or disagreeable, just a bit busy.
The shorter wheelbase of the wagon does have a slight influence on its journey consolation, nevertheless it’s marginal.
In any other case, street manners as we’ve come to anticipate from Mazda merchandise of this classic, with a reasonably keen driving nature, with good steering that gives a great quantity of really feel – although can exhibit some steering wheel kickback over mid-corner bumps.
It’s nonetheless a pleasant automotive to drive, although perhaps beginning to really feel rather less spectacular than it did within the early 20-teens, as a result of there’s been loads of progress made by way of automotive dynamics since then.
There are some SUVs which have a bit extra driving prowess than the 6 these days, however not the identical form of low-slung, sporty nature.
I didn’t get to drive a non-turbo mannequin on the smaller wheel bundle, but when earlier expertise in a Sport grade is something to go by – to not point out different experiences with the G25 powertrain I’ve had in CX-5 and CX-30 in latest occasions – then patrons who need the very best engine should fork out for the G35.
The G25’s character is a little more torpid, and it has to depend on the transmission shifting gears a good bit extra for the very best outcomes.
Nonetheless, I additionally recall the journey being a bit extra cosseting… so, placing my product planning hat again on, a lower-spec mannequin with the turbo engine could be good.
What do you get?
Mazda 6 G25 Sport highlights:
17-inch alloy wheelsHeated, power-adjustable mirrorsRain-sensing wipersAutomatic LED headlightsAutomatic high-beamCloth upholsteryKeyless start8.0-inch MZD Join infotainment systemApple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)DAB+ digital radioSatellite navigation6-speaker sound systemHead-up displayLeather-wrapped steering wheelTilt, telescopic steering wheel adjustmentPaddle shiftersDual-zone local weather controlElectric parking brake with auto holdAuto-dimming rear-view mirror2 x 12V energy outlets3 x USB retailers
Mazda 6 G25 Touring provides:
Auto-folding exterior mirrorsLED daytime operating lightsKeyless entryWireless Apple CarPlay11-speaker Bose premium soundLeather upholsteryPower entrance seat adjusment
Mazda 6 G35 GT SP provides:
Adaptive Entrance Lighting (energetic turning beam)Black 19-inch alloy wheelsHeated entrance seatsHeated rear outboard seatsBurgundy leather-based upholstery
Mazda 6 G35 Atenza provides:
Adaptive LED headlights incl. adaptive high-beamBright-finish 19-inch alloy wheelsSingle-pane sunroofHeated steering wheel7.0-inch digital instrument displayBlack Nappa leather-based upholsteryVentilated entrance seatsSurround-view cameraTraffic jam help
Mazda 6 twentieth Anniversary provides:
twentieth Anniversary logosTan Nappa leather-based, artificial suede upholsteryEmbossed twentieth Anniversary headrest logosRhodium White metallic or Artisan Purple* paint
*Artisan Purple unique to twentieth Anniversary Version
No-cost paint choices for the principle vary embody Sonic Silver metallic, Jet Black mica, Deep Crystal blue mica and Platinum Quartz metallic.
Select any of the next metallic choices and also you’ll need to pay $795 further: Rhodium White, Machine Gray, Polymetal Gray, Soul Purple Crystal.
Is the Mazda 6 secure?
The up to date Mazda 6 was put via ANCAP testing in 2018 and it achieved a five-star security ranking.
It scored of 95 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 91 per cent for baby occupant safety, 66 per cent for susceptible street customers and 73 per cent for security help.
There have been updates to the protection package for 2023, however solely very minor changes for high-spec fashions.
Customary security tools contains:
Adaptive cruise management with cease/goAEB incl. pedestrian detection (ahead)AEB in reverseBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistDriver consideration alertTraffic signal recognitionIntelligent Velocity AssistanceRear parking sensors Reversing cameraTyre stress monitoring
The bottom Sport misses out on entrance parking sensors that are normal on Touring and above.
The GT SP, Atenza and Anniversary fashions add Cruising and Visitors Help, which may mainly act as a visitors jam assistant. Select the range-topping Atenza or Anniversary mannequin, and also you get a surround-view digital camera, too.
How a lot does the Mazda 6 value to run?
Mazda affords a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee throughout its line-up in Australia, and there’s 5 years of roadside help included, too.
There’s additionally a capped-price servicing program that spans 5 years or 75,000km, that means intervals are 12 months/15,000km – higher than they as soon as have been (10,000km).
The typical value per service for the G25 fashions is $422, whereas the G35 variations are a bit dearer to take care of, at $501.
Mazda 6 G25 fashions have an official mixed cycle gasoline use determine of seven.0L/100km, whereas G35 fashions use 7.6L/100km.
Over the launch drive of primarily nation roads in rural Victoria, the journey laptop of the G35 GT SP sedan was studying 9.4L/100km. Not a lot of an opportunity for the engine start-stop tech to do its factor over that loop.
All fashions have a 62-litre gasoline tank and even the turbo fashions can run on 91 RON common unleaded gasoline.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda 6
There aren’t many different decisions on the market for this type of cash that look this good and drive in addition to the Mazda 6.
And, whereas it’s feeling its age in just a few key methods – particularly that old-school media system – it undeniably nonetheless has an vital function to play for the model in Australia.
For the way lengthy? Time will inform. However for these wanting an opulent sedan or wagon that appears pretty much as good at the moment because it did the day it launched – even when it has been 3818 days after the preliminary opinions got here out.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
MORE: The whole lot Mazda 6