MAZDA 6 Review

Summary:

What we like: Styling

What we don't like: Tight rear seat

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MAZDA 6 review in detail:

The Japanese have been reluctant to get into diesel passenger cars until recently. Mazda has broken through by offering the option of a turbo-diesel in the 6. The European marques have been strongly pushing diesel passenger cars for the past couple of years so it's nice to see Mazda joining in.

The engine is a modern, direct-injection, 2.0-litre, high-pressure unit that sits at the forefront of torque output, managing a hefty 360Nm. This gives it plenty of grunt, though it doesn't kick in until a noticeable amount of turbo lag has delayed the action.

To counteract this turbo lag to a small extent the six-speed manual gearbox can be changed down to get the engine up into a higher rev range, but most drivers are likely to leave it in a higher gear and let the torque haul it along. In cruising mode it's almost as smooth and quiet as a petrol unit, but there's a distinctive clatter at idle.

In 2006 the automatic transmission went up from four speeds to five and has manual overrides; the manual received a sporting six-speed unit.

On an open road, the Mazda 6 shines with its communicative steering and poised chassis. It's while unraveling a twisty road that the 6 distances itself from its less involving and less athletic peers. Yet it's no less affable on the highway, where it delivers as smooth and quiet a ride as anything in its class.

In a few areas, the 6 falls short of its competition, however. Rear-seat hip- and legroom aren't as ample as in most of its competitors, and both the base four-cylinder and the V6 are down on power. But there's still ample room for the kids back there, and remember, you can get the wagon version if you need more cargo capacity. And the Mazda 6's 3.0-liter V6 might not be as muscle-bound as a Camry's, but it's a smooth and willing performer nonetheless.