Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 celebrates 20 years with a car that has stayed largely the same for 10, for some buyers, that might just be what they're after.

We drive the 2022 Mazda 6 GT SP wagon to see how it goes carrying dogs, kids, and everything else a family car needs to.

There’s not much basic about this entry-level Mazda mid-size sedan.

Old v new: Two generations of turbo petrol Mazda6s go at it

A replacement for the decade-old Mazda 6 may still be in the works – but as a hybrid or electric car developed and built in China.

A rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 is looking unlikely, as it won't be based on the CX-60 platform.

The decade-old Mazda 6 sedan and wagon range has received another update with a new special edition – and price rises of up to $1000.

The long-running Mazda 6 sedan is due for a technology and performance upgrade next year.

We welcome the first double-cab ute to take the overall Drive Car of the Year award. But, how did we get here?

It could go down as one of the most conventional choices for DCOTY in the award’s history but the Mazda 6 made a compelling choice in 2013

Station wagons are becoming a rare commodity, but in Carol's case the best replacement for her 2013 Mazda6 wagon is... a new Mazda6 wagon!

Annette wants to class it up with her next car.

I've been reading these owner reviews for quite some time and always been meaning to contribute so here goes with a blast from my past. It was the mid-2000s, I was looking for a practical 4 door performance sedan that was a little bit more grown up than a WRX. Top of my list was a Subaru Liberty GT spec B, loved Subies and it ticked all the boxes. I had a budget of under $50K at the time. I also was looking at a brand new car thinking I'll hang onto it for a bit. Was a little wary of a used performance car. The Liberty 3.0 RB was also on the wish list but alas, I soon came to the realisation that both options were above my budget. However I'm a strong believer in things happening for a reason. I still remember watching an episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson was fanging around the track in a Ford Mondeo ST220, a Vauxhall Vectra VXR and a Mazda 6 MPS. Clarkson was raving about the MPS, 2.3litre Direct Injection Turbo 4, 190KW, 380NM, quite a bit of poke at the time. Still remember the grin on his face has he blasted around the track. Ofcourse he picked the Mondeo ST220 because he didn't like the front grill on the MPS or something trivial like that. However that review really opened my eyes and I thought if it's good enough for him it's going to be absolutely awesome for me. It was 2007, off I went to the Mazda Dealership trying to get a Luxury Pack MPS before realising I couldn't get one as it was over my budget. However the base model, minus the leather, sunroof and Bose sound system was under around $48K driveaway if memory serves me right. There was a problem, there were none available in the colour I wanted. I wasn't too picky on the colour, just said didn't want red and didn't want black. Put my deposit in and said find me any other colour and you have yourself a deal. That's right, looking back I can't believe I did it but I bought it without test driving. I had read and watched every single review, had to have it. Being older and wiser now I wouldn't do it again but that was me back then. After waiting what seemed like an eternity (probably about 4 weeks) I got a call from the dealer saying a Liquid Silver 6 MPS had just come off the boat. I said perfect and a week later I was driving off in it. Coming off an Accord Euro at the time and this was my first Turbocharged AWD car I was amazed how effortless it accelerated. I remember the slightly tricky clutch, not as bad as when they first came out but as mine was one of the last to be produced it was as sorted as it was ever going to be. I had the Mazda 6 MPS for 6 years. To date of all the cars I've owned, it is still my favourite. I don't think anyone understood why I loved it so much and in someways I don't know why because it wasn't exceptional at any one thing. Maybe that's why I loved that car, it did everything well. It was practical, it had enough performance for me, had a subtle bonnet bulge to accommodate the top mount intercooler and overall understated looks. If you weren't a trainspotter you probably thought it was a regular Mazda 6 which enhanced the appeal for me. Furthermore they were rare on the roads when they were in production, being only available with a 6 speed manual they didn't sell well. It was a wolf in sheep's clothing and I loved it for that. I got the chance to track it through a Mazda drive day in 2008 at Oran Park right before they demolished it to make way for housing development. I used to drive it interstate once a year, and I still remember the absolutely magical drive I had on the Great Ocean road in it in 2010. There was no traffic or caravans and having the chance for a bit of safe but spirited driving was absolutely memorable. The gear shift was precise with short throws and heel toeing was easy enough with the pedal placement. Was it perfect, no. Road noise never bothered me back then as much as it does now with a family but since moving onto other cars now that I think of it, cabin insulation wasn't a strong point especially on the usual coarse chip surface Australian highways are known for. The exhaust also sounded a bit like a vacuum cleaner. Remember what I said about loving Subies, I'm a fan of the boxer burble and this Mazda for all its Zoom Zoom didn't please the ears as I would have hoped. However that's about it. Turns out getting the base model MPS, I actually preferred the cloth seats as they gripped me nicely. Would I have loved a sunroof, yes, but I had the car for 6 years and it didn't bother me. I'm no audiophile, so the standard audio was fine for me. Throughout my ownership I had the guards rolled to fit a wider rim and tyre combo. I changed to aftermarket wheels twice, why I don't know but most probably being younger and dumber with my money. I had some Bilstein shocks and Eibach lowering springs put in that made a massive difference to body roll and pitching up and down when accelerating and braking. It was no boat but the suspension changes were just what the doctor ordered. Not to mention it made a world of difference to the stance of the car without it being too low. Why did I get rid of it? A couple of reasons and wish I still didn't to be honest. Got married and my wife couldn't drive a manual. I also was able to get a Holden Commodore SSV Redline Series 1 brand new to replace it at a really good price. Always wanted to own a V8, so that was it. Traded her in on the Redline and I remember that last drive feeling a little sad. It's been 7 years and I still miss it. BEJ75X, I wonder where it is now. It was immaculate when I had it, I probably should have kept it. That's my story of my beloved Mazda 6 MPS. I know it wasn't an exotic car, but to me it was everything. It never failed to put a smile on my face whilst also turning heads of those who knew what it was but those that didn't wouldn't bat an eyelid, that was part of the appeal. It was the one I let go and I shouldn't have. We all have them. Zoom Zoom! Cheers Senthu

I bought this car in 2006 as an ex demonstrator, and still to this day most people I talk to about my car have no idea what an MPS brings to the table that the standard variants don't have. Let me tell you it's more than just a badge or luxury level. Under the bonnet the Mazda 6 MPS is powered a turbocharged 2.3L engine, coupled to a 6 speed gearbox with sporty, heavy clutch. To get that power to the wheels, it also boasts an all wheel drive setup with up to 50/50 power split between the front and rear wheels. Being a 2.3L engine means it has enough torque for a great start off the line before the turbo really kicks in at just under 3000rpm. You can hear and feel the turbo spooling from around 2000rpm and if you plant the accelerator it quickly leaps into action. 1st gear is quite short so a quick change is required to 2nd but then the car races through the gears easily. Although the all wheel drive system under standard conditions favors the front wheels more than the rear, the traction control system really does an excellent job varying the power balance with zero wheel spin from the front wheels. All wheel drive really comes into it's own when it comes to cornering, being able to pull out of a corner with full acceleration feels amazing! One thing I wasn't a fan of and got an aftermarket upgrade for was the ride height and firmness of the suspension. In any case - it always feels safe in all weather and speed conditions. The exterior of the car has a few differences so the other variants of the same model, most of which are subtle and most people probably wouldn't notice. Starting at the front you have a large air dam and slightly different styling around the nose that feeds air to the engine bay. Being a turbo, the bonnet is raised to accommodate the top mounted intercooler. The MPS features HID headlamps, which many cars today still dont sport. Along the sides you'll notice larger skirts and trim around the lower part of the doors and 18 inch wheels. At the rear, the rear window tailight found in the standard models is absent and replaced by an LED taillight in a boot lid spoiler. Rear bumper is more filled out than the standard models, accommodates the dual exhaust pipes and has sporty trim. Inside, there are 2 sub variants, the leather and standard. Being an ex demonstrator I only had the standard option but in comparison to new cars today there is a noticeable higher quality than what is provided today. Plastics are a dark grey, with the dash a little lighter and the roof a light grey. Seats look and feel sporty with a comfortable but firm feel and good shaping to keep you in your seat around corners. One thing to note is that due to the car being a performance model, the rear seat is fixed for structural strength and there is no boot access. In terms of gadgets and controls - this car was ahead of its time 12 years ago, with steering wheel controls for cruise control and audio. Cruise control in a manual?? Yes - it's amazing. The leather model not only boasts leather seats and different trim colours but also a Bose sound system. Standard sound system is still 6 speakers with split in the front cabin and door speakers in the rear. One downside of this car is that it needs 95 ron fuel minimum. I also feel the engine is really down tuned, with a simple kit being able to add an extra 15kw very easily. All in all - I made the thought choice with my car purchase and still have it 12 years later! It's a mix of sports, fun and practicality. An all round qualified car! If you buy one now, spend the money and get the engine and drivetrain looked over by a professional. Being turbo and awd they can be expensive and unfortunately I'm sure many don't give their MPS the treatment it deserves!

The 2013 Mazda 6 Atenza is a fantastic family orientated sedan. But… you don’t need to have a family to drive one – I don’t! The Mazda 6 is jam packed with Mazda’s first round of active safety features, these keep our loved ones safe at all times. For a six year old car, the Mazda 6 still has some relatively competitive technology for its age. We’re talking about Mazda’s Adaptive Cruise Control (MRCC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Forward Collision Warning, a Reverse camera with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and many more. The reason I purchased the Mazda 6 came down to size, I wanted to buy the Mazda 3 SP25 Astina sedan but at the time the size of the Mazda 3 just didn’t suit my lifestyle. Looking back now I’m glad I didn’t buy the Mazda 3 because each time I get into my Mazda 6 I love it! With so many features packed into the Mazda 6 it’s easy to have fun, whilst staying safe on the road. One of my favourite features about the Mazda 6 has to be the Adaptive Cruise Control, this is a feature that makes highway driving a breeze. All the driver is required to do is set cruise control on the highway and the car will adapt its speed according to the traffic conditions and the vehicle in front. The car will slow down by itself and speed up to your pre-set speed. This technology paired with Lane Departure Warning, can be a lifesaver on long road trips. Remember to Stop, Revive, and Survive every 2 hours though! This version of Mazda’s Adaptive Cruise Control does not have the stop and go function, which is something I am glad Mazda has introduced into their latest models of passenger vehicles and SUV range. I recently drove the 2018 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.5L Petrol with this technology and I can confidently say highway driving is easy with this technology. The CX-5 Akera also has Lane Departure Warning, with Lane-Keep Assist (LAS). Lane-Keep Assist works by using the windscreen mounted camera to monitor lane markings on the road. If the system detects the vehicle is drifting out of the lane it will apply slight steering to return the car to the centre of the lane. Need to change lanes? No worries the system is smart enough to detect when it’s an intentional lane change. Indicate in whichever direction you desire and the system will temporarily de-activate until the turn signal is returned into the off position. With so many safety features jam packed inside the car, this was just another reason I purchased the Mazda 6. I also fell in love with Mazda’s design language, KODO meaning ‘Soul of motion’. I describe my Mazda’s styling as sophisticated and polished. With Mazda bringing out new cars each year, the styling of the whole Mazda range has just kept improving and the 2019 models are extremely stylish. As well as fantastic styling Mazda’s servicing is also excellent. At my dealership while my car is being serviced Mazda offers me a courtesy car so I still have the flexibility of being able to get to work and other events throughout the day. My Mazda dealership even goes one step further, when they hand me the keys back to my car I step into a nice clean car. Just another added touch that makes me enjoy that Zoom- Zoom experience. My Mazda 6 wears Mazda’s signature paint colour, Soul Red, this was the first version of the Soul Red paint. I love the way the Soul Red paint glistens in the light, and with subtle hints of chrome around the exterior of the vehicle it just makes the vehicle look both elegant and trendy. There aren’t many negative things to say about this car, surprising I know! Although if I had to pick one, I would say road noise. Mazda is continually criticized for this and they have been working on improving this in their latest models throughout their line-up. Mazda is improving this by installing increased sound deadening material, to things such as the underfloor, and the headlining. Tyres and the size of the alloy wheels can also play a big part on the road noise that enters the cabin, on my Mazda 6 Atenza I have 19-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Under the bonnet of the Mazda 6, you will find a 4 cylinder 2.5L naturally aspirated SKYACTIV engine. Producing 138Kw @ 5700rpm and 250Nm of Torque @ 3250rpm. This power is delivered through the front wheels, and is paired to a 6 Speed Sports Automatic with a manual shift mode and paddle shifters – yes, that’s right a conventional auto no CVT! The 6 has a claimed 0-100km/s time of 8.2 seconds, not the quickest but quick enough to get you up and going into highway traffic. Did I mention the kick down switch? Push the accelerator to the floor hard and you will feel the kick down switch engage, this will provide maximum power, fantastic for overtaking. The 6 speed Sports Auto works a charm in this car, there’s no need for an 8 or 9 speed auto as the 6 speed does a splendid job at keeping the car in the best gear to optimise fuel efficiency. Put your foot down though, and it will drop a gear and give you the boost of power you need. The steering is extremely responsive, find yourself on a nice windy stretch of road and you will have fun. The suspension is firm and with no settlings to adjust this, small imperfections in the roads surface can find themselves making their way into the cabin. I wouldn’t say it’s uncomfortable but it’s definitely something for Mazda to consider refining in the future. The car has been externally reliable for me, and in the five years that I’ve owned it I have never had an issue. I service the car through a Mazda dealership every 10,000kms or 12 months whichever comes first. The car has been relatively practical for me, as I mainly use it to drive friends and family around, to commute to work, and to those dreaded grocery store visits. I have one minor dislike about the car, the practicality of the boot, since the Mazda 6 has the sloping roof line the boot opening is narrow so trying to fit boxes and other large objects in there can be a challenge. The Mazda 6 wagon would be the way to go if you regularly need to transport large goods. All in all though the practicality of the vehicle is great, and is fantastic for road trips, or just your run around car. I would suggest a number of improvements for future models of the Mazda 6; • Integrating a faster infotainment system with a larger screen • Introducing different drive modes, Comfort, Sport and Eco • Higher resolution reverse camera (The 2019 Mazda 6 has a 360-degree camera, but even that system can do with higher resolution cameras) • Self- parking technology, would also be great for Mazda to consider in future. More specifically for parallel parking.