It’s almost unanimous that Mazda are pumping out some seriously good looking cars right now. With the delightful Mazda 3 just around the corner it seems the Japanese giant are certain to maintain their sales chart success. The impressive Mazda 6 range is again no exception and this fortnight we have both the Mazda 6 Touring and GT diesel wagons in the EFTM garage. Before our full review let us cast a quick spotlight over the mid grade Touring model.
Mazda 6 Touring
Make: Mazda 6
Variant: Touring Wagon
Engine / Transmission: 2.2-litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled turbo diesel with i-stop and i-ELOOP. 6-speed automatic with manual mode.
Vital Stats: Power 129kW @ 4,500 rpm / 420Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Mazda Claimed Fuel Economy: 5.4l / 100km
EFTM Claimed Fuel Economy: 5.9l / 100km
MRRP Price: $41,650 (Plus on roads)
Exterior Features Highlights:
- Body coloured door handles
- Chorome exhaust extensions
- Front fog lights
- Green-tinted windows
- Halogen headlamps
- Heated power mirrors
- Rear Spoiler (Wagon only)
- Roof Rails (Wagon only)
- LED Tail lamps
Interior Features Highlights
- Keyless push-button ignition
- Dual-zone air conditioning with rear vents
- Bluetooth®
- 12 volt power outlet in cargo area
- Cargo area tonneau cover and net
- Sliding centre front armrest
- Cruise control
- Cup holders including door bottle holders
- Leather wrapped steering wheel, gear shift knob and handbrake handle
- Paddle shift gear control
- TomTom satellite navigation
- Premium Bose® 231 watt 11 speaker sound system
- USB input
- Leather seat trim with 2-position driver memory, 8-way power adjustment for driver, passenger 4-way
- 60/40 spilt flat-fold rear seat
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Dusk-sensing headlamps
Safety Highlights
- Airbags; front (driver and passenger), curtain (front and rear), side (front)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) – Hazards flash under heavy braking
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- Parking sensors front and rear
- Reverse camera
Mazda 6 Touring
Wow Factor: Undoubtedly a slick looking wagon, with a high degree of road presence particularly from front on. Mazda lead the way for affordable quality interiors, decent sound system.
Most Impressive: Diesel models are very frugal. The SKYACTIV suite of technologies equate to sub 6l / 100km figures at the pump. Handling is not as well sorted as pricer Europeans, but the ride is far more supple. The interior build gives the Europeans a fright as well.
Not So Impressive: Not the most exciting drive in history, diesel engine is a fraction more noticeable than others and could be a little more brisk. The i-stop feature is about as smooth as corrugated iron. Clunky Bluetooth® operation with annoying lag in between music tracks. By today’s standards the touchscreen display is quite small (5.8-inch)
