Still 6 of the best four years on
GROWING old gracefully is rarely a trait of mass-production cars.
The Mazda6 is the exception – four years after it was launched, the mid-sized pacesetter is still at the front of the pack. the base model Australian versions recently added leather seat trim and powered front seats to the best chassis in the class.
Price trims of between $300 and $3370 came with the upgrade in October and the base Classic is now known as the Touring. there is something for everyone here – the sedan, hatch and wagon body styles sell from $31,450, $32,450 and $34,750 respectively. Add $2000 for the automatic in the sedan and hatch (auto is standard on the wagon).
Lack of a colour screen is the only interior feature that truly dates the 6. the red centre strip display is about as modern as my first Casio calculator. the functionality’s there, it just doesn’t have the high-res look embraced by newer rivals.
The auto is a five-speeder that is a cog down on some in the class. Marshalling the 125kW/226Nm from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder, it still delivers 8.7L/100km on regular petrol. And yes, you can get a 132kW/400Nm 2.2-litre diesel.
This is the sportiest looking car in the pack, especially from the front. the curved roof gives it a coupe-like look and the bulging rear bumper adds aggression. Only the Honda Accord Euro and Kia Optima come close.
The interior layout is still on the money and uses logical and easy-to-operate rotary dials for the dual-zone airconditioning, while the sound system is best operated using the steering wheel-mounted switches.
Six airbags are standard on the Mazda6 and are backed by seat belt reminders for the front occupants. On the software front, the anti-lock brakes are bolstered by electronic brake distribution, emergency brake assist and stability control. ANCAP rates it a five-star car.
This is the mid-sized car to own if you appreciate driving dynamics. the chassis sits flat in the turns, the steering is direct with plenty of feedback and the petrol 2.5-litre propels the car reasonably quickly.
Go for the manual if you’re an enthusiast – the extra gear translates into quicker acceleration off the line and in mid-rev overtaking.
On the practical front the boot is big – though not as cavernous as a Ford Mondeo – and the rear passengers aren’t chewing on their own knees.
The drivers’ choice in the mid-sized front-wheel drive field and it should be high on buyers’ shopping lists. I’d cross-shop it against the Accord Euro and hound both camps for the best deal.
WARRANTY 3 years/unlimited km
SERVICE INTERVAL 6 months/10,000km
ENGINE 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol, 125kW/226Nm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual, 5-speed auto, front-wheel drive
THIRST 8.3L/100km, 91 RON, 196g/km CO2 (manual); 8.7L, 206g (auto)
BODY 4-door, 5-seat hatch
DIMENSIONS 4735mm (L), 1795mm (W), 1440mm (H), 2725mm (WB), tracks front/rear 1550mm/1550mm
WEIGHT 1430kg (manual), 1452kg (auto)
WE LOVE Spirited engine, decent boot
WE LOATHE Central display
"the driver’s choice in the mid-size front-wheel drive field; should be high on the shopping list"
> > Honda Accord Euro
ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrol, 148kW/234Nm
TRANS 6-speed manual, 5-speed auto, FWD
THIRST 8.9L/100km, 95 RON, 212g/km CO2 (manual); 8.9L, 211g (auto)
"Logical rival to the Mazda6 if you’re looking for fun behind the wheel"
> > Suzuki Kizashi
ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrol, 131kW/230Nm
TRANS 6-speed manual, CVT, FWD
THIRST 7.9L/100km, 91 RON, 186g/km CO2 (manual); 7.9L, 187g (CVT)
"Dare to be different. It is as well engineered as anything in the class"
> > Volkswagen Passat
ENGINE 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbo petrol,
118kW/250Nm TRANS 7-speed automatic, FWD THIRST 7.2L/100km, 95 RON, 168g/km CO2
"look beyond the (lack of) styling and this is bargain prestige motoring"
<a href="http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/still-6-of-the-best-four-years-on/story-fn9y0ah4-1226237342360tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/still-6-of-the-best-four-years-on/story-fn9y0ah4-1226237342360Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:25:22 GMT”>Still 6 of the best four years on
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