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Mazda Mazda 6 (2008 -)

What's Good

'All new' Mazda 6 based on Mondeo III underpinnings, launched at Frankfurt Motor Show 11th September 2007.

3 body styles: sedan, hatchback and estate

4,755mm long x 1,755mm wide (1,998mm with mirrors) x 1,440mm high making it 65 mm longer, 15 mm wider, 5 mm taller, with a 50 mm longer wheelbase than the first-generation Mazda6

Shut lines greatly reduced and higher quality materials introduced for a greatly improved premium feel

Mazda’s Karakuri rear seat system (hatchback and estate): one-touch seat-drop function from a latch in the boot panel and an all-new boot tonneau cover for the estate that automatically moves up when the rear liftgate is opened

Sporty performance feel enhanced by new six- point mounting system for the high-mount double wishbone front suspension and electric power assisted steering

Low coefficient of drag (Cd) lowered to 0.27 (down from 0.30) for the sedan and hatchback, and to Cd 0.28 (down from 0.32) for the estate.

New 2.5-litre petrol engine (170 PS). Also available are 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and the MZR-CD 2.0 turbodiesel (140 PS)

1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines‘ fuel efficiency and CO 2 levels improved by approximately 10 percent

Active safety: large disc brakes, ABS, DSC, electronic traction control and brake assist (standard in Europe)

Stopping distance from 100 km/h is 39 m on dry ground among the best in the class (Mazda in-house measurement)

Passive safety: Mazda stiff and strong Triple-H body shell and up to six airbags (depending on market)

New safety equipment includes Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), parking sensor, an extensive field of vision, Mazda’s first active headrest, crushable brake and clutch pedals and extensive pedestrian protection measures

CF-Net (Cross Functional Network): combination of switches on the steering wheel which provide integrated control of navigation, audio, air conditioning, driving information, and other systems. Centralised display at the top of the instrument panel to minimise movement of the driver’s line of sight

Independent air temperature controls, and optional (standard depending on grade) advanced keyless entry system with engine start-stop button

BOSE® premium sound system with eight speakers and a Bluetooth® hands-free mobile-phone interface, are optional (standard depending on grade)

PRICES FROM £15,100. 1.8S and TS RECOMMENDED. FINE DRIVERS CARS, ALSO COMFORTABLE, QUIET AND FUEL EFFICIENT.

Six diesel models on sale from January 2008
Nine estate models on sale from March 2008

Significantly lower CO2 emissions translate into reduced Vehicle Excise Duty bills and fuel economy improvements. For example, the 2.0-litre 140ps turbo diesel with CO2 emissions cut from 165g/km (hatchback) to 149g/km – 23 percent down to 20 percent. Combined cycle fuel economy on the diesel is more than 50mpg.

The 1.8-litre 120ps has a CO2 figure of 162g/km (hatchback) compared with the 186g/km for the previous car – an amazing four-band reduction in company car tax from 24 percent in 2007/08 to 20 percent in 2008/09. Fuel economy on the combined cycle is 40.9mpg. There are similar reductions for the 2.0-litre 147ps with CO2 emissions down from 191g/km (hatchback) to 168g/km – 25 percent down to 21 percent.

2-10-2008: Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2 (2nd photo) New chain cam, balancer shaft 2.2 diesel in three outputs producing from 125-185 PS of power, and torque from 310-400 Nm, while using between 5.5 and 5.7 litres of fuel per 100 km (CO2: 147 to 152g/km on the combined cycle). All models below 150g/km except 185PS wagon at 152g/km.

19-12-2008: New Mazda6 prices to start from just £14,891 on-the-road

* Expanded 2009 new Mazda6 line-up on sale from January 2009
* Eleven models priced from £15,869 feature all-new 2.2-litre diesel engine
* Five equipment levels – S, TS, TS2, Sport and Sports Luxury
* Enhanced safety with new lane-change ‘Rear Vehicle Monitoring System’.

Among the specification upgrades is a new standard equipment feature on 15 models from the £17,563 TS2 upwards – Mazda’s lane-change ‘Rear Vehicle Monitoring System’. This innovation will be a significant boost to safer driving. Fully automatic, the new active safety feature employs two rear-facing radar units that detect and warn the driver of an approaching vehicle before he/she has a chance to move across into a busy lane by mistake.

The all-new MZR-CD 2.2-litre engine offers substantially higher power and torque than the previous-generation 2.0-litre diesel, while delivering equal levels of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and weighing just 6kg more than the smaller capacity power unit.

Offered in three versions producing 185, 163 and 125ps of maximum power output and 400, 360 and 310Nm of torque respectively, the 2.2 will meet the demands of a wide spectrum of customers. Excellent low-end response (from as little as 1,800rpm with a flat maximum torque curve that continues until 3,000rpm) contributes to the smooth and powerful driving feel.

Every Mazda6 diesel comes with a six-speed manual transmission – fitted with a high top ratio (0.711:1) for quiet, relaxed and fuel-efficient cruising.

On the combined cycle, the new Mazda6 diesel returns between 51.4mpg and 49.6mpg, with CO2 figures of between just 147g/km and 149g/km for all 4 door and 5 door models. Of the diesel estate models only the high power 185ps derivatives enter vehicle excise duty band D at 152g/km. All other diesel models are placed in a highly competitive band C. Combined with very attractive pricing, these CO2 outputs deliver outstanding Benefit-in-Kind personal tax rates for company car drivers.

The three new diesel powertrains for new Mazda6 retain, or hugely improve, the Zoom-Zoom, fun-to-drive, attributes of this popular Mazda. Acceleration to 62mph with the 2.2-litre low power 125ps diesel takes just 0.2 seconds longer than the previous 2.0-litre 140ps diesel (10.9 compared to 10.7 seconds for the hatchback), while the mid power 163ps achieves 62mph in 9.2 seconds and the high power 185ps reaches that speed in just 8.5 seconds.

Five, Highly Specified Equipment Levels

For 2009, two S models offer entry to Mazda6 ownership from £14,891. Comprehensive standard equipment includes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS), six airbags and ‘Active’ front seat head restraints, 16-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, manual air-conditioning, Karakuri 60/40 split folding rear seats, a radio/single CD audio system with 4 speakers and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players.

Nine TS models (from £15,869), add 14 items including: electric and heated door mirrors, cruise control, trip computer with speed alarm dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, leather steering wheel and gear knob, two additional audio speakers (total = six), a rear seat centre armrest and CF-Net steering wheel controls.

Priced from £17,563, eight TS2 models add nine items including: 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 R17 tyres, electric folding door mirrors, dusk-sensing automatic lights, rain sensing automatic wipers, an integrated Bluetooth® system and the new Rear Vehicle Monitoring System (RVMS).

Four Sport models (from £19,326), feature smart entry and push-button start, a 240W BOSE sound premium audio system with eight speakers, half leather heated sports seats, Bi-Xenon headlamps plus a much bolder visual differentiation from all other versions, with the ‘Sports Appearance Pack’ fitted as standard on this model, while 18-inch wheels were introduced for the first time on a Mazda6.

Three range-topping Sports Luxury models (from £20,353), bring customers premium equipment such as full leather seats, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and electrically powered sun roof.

15-1-2009: Mazda6 2.0 Tamura delivers 147ps for 0-to-60 mph acceleration in just 10.2 seconds, while its CO2 rating is a modest 168g/km. Based on the Mazda6 2.0 5dr TS model, the new Tamura has the addition of a Sports Styling Pack (including front and rear sports bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler), plus privacy glass, clear rear light bezels, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and special ‘Tamura’ badging. Inside, this Tamura features alloy pedals and branded Tamura floor mats. Two unique mica colours – Sparkling Black or Velocity Red – plus Galaxy Grey mica or Sunlight Silver metallic, all free of charge. Standard equipment on the Mazda6 Tamura includes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS), six airbags, remote central locking, Karakuri 60/40 split folding rear seats, a radio/single CD audio system with 6 speakers and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players, electric and heated door mirrors, cruise control, trip computer with speed alarm, dual-zone climate control air‑conditioning, leather steering wheel and gear knob, a rear seat centre armrest and CF-Net steering wheels controls, plus a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser. Mazda6 2.0 5dr Tamura is priced at £16,695 – just £306 more than the equivalent TS model.

Jan 2009 CAP data reveals Mazda6 2.2 D worth up to 39% of its cost new at 60,000miles/3yrs

19-2-2009: FIVE STARS FOR MAZDA6 IN EURO NCAP SAFETY TEST

For 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a new assessment system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating composed from scores achieved in four areas of
assessment: Adult Occupant Protection 77%, Child Protection 81%, Pedestrian Protection 49% and Safety Assist 71%.

23-9-2009 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2010 class winner. Awarded for its practicality and excellent towing ability.

Road test and prices at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=300

Road test station wagon at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=314

Road test 2.2 diesel at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=358

More at www.mazda.co.uk

Last updated 27-9-2009

What's Bad

Engine undertray collects floodwater or water from large puddles and is pulled off the car. Needs a hole cut into it for trapped water to drain.

No spare wheel, just a puncture repair kit. But full size steel spare available from Mazda for £70.

2.0 litre diesel can suffer same DPF problem of contaminated engine oil as previous Mazda 6 diesel.

What to Watch Out For

2.0 litre diesels with DPFs are suffering contaminated oil and raised oil levels that can lead to engine damage. The dip stick has a Low, Full and X mark. Between L and F is 1cm and then X is 6cm above Full. The handbook says do not fill past X or you could damage the engine, yet unused fuel gets deposited in the sump by the DPF. So crucial to check the oil level at least weekly, and it it starts to rise towards X, book the car in to your Mazda dealer. It may be that an ECU software upgrade can cure this, and the engine will need an oil change anyway.

(Not a problem with 2.2 diesel as it has a different 'closed loop' type of DPF.)

Some owners believe the 2.0 diesels are not suitable for town and/or stop start driving as the build up of particulates cannot be removed and contaminates the engine with diesel fuel, leading to costly engine replacements or 3,500 mile oil changes. More on this problem and how to avoid it in the DPF FAQ answer on this website.