Mazda 6: Test Drive Review

Mazda first broke into the fleet market with the 6 back in 2002. It offered a viable alternative to the mainstream Vectras and Mondeos that cruised around Britain’s motorways, and was not only good looking but a better drive and impeccably reliable. In short, it was a head and heart winner.

During the past few years the 6 has almost been forgotten in fleet, so it’s the job of the third-generation model to recapture the original’s and the second generation’s appeal to the thinking user-chooser.
With 65% of the 7500 sales expected this year going to fleet customers, the 6 is looking to take 7% of the market, well above Mazda’s usual share, but fully achievable. That achievability comes thanks to some clever technology that sees the new
6 out-eco its rivals.
Expected to be the biggest seller, the 150hp 2.2-litre diesel comes in at 108g/km (and will drop to 104g/km later in the year), which means it hits the 15% benefit-in-kind tax band. The official fuel figure is equally impressive at 67.3mpg.
And because Mazda hasn’t had to resort to engine downsizing to achieve this economy, the car never feels slow or wheezy, which is something that can afflict eco-specials in rival ranges.
The low tax band and high mpg are the result of Mazda’s new philosophy to develop efficient cars, and this extends to keeping weight to a minimum. The added advantage of having a car with a weight closer to a model in a smaller segment is a more responsive steering and suspension set-up that results in both better handling and a comfortable ride.

The car hasn’t shrunk either. In fact, it’s grown to be one of the largest in its class. The result is a big boot in both the saloon and the estate (489 litres in the saloon and 522 litres in the Tourer).
Mazda’s designers have put the extra length to good use to offer a sleek, well proportioned and distinctive large family car. There is plenty of rear-seat legroom in both the saloon and the Tourer estate,
but that sharply angled roofline compromises headroom for adults above six-feet tall in the rear seats.
The only other negative is some of the harder and shinier plastics used
in the cabin, which are particularly prevalent around the large glovebox and around the console between the front seats.
However, given the refinement, economy, looks and fun drive, the new Mazda 6 is still a first-rate car in the sector and potentially a class leader among the plentiful competition.