Most likely going to go with Mazda 6 Tourer unless someone gives me a good reason not to!

Maybe not exactly a good reason not to, but actually finding one itself is going be problematic. There are a grand total of five (2018 on) Mazda 6 Tourers nationwide on Autotrader with petrol engine and auto transmission!.

Re the Levorg, as someone who has previously owned a car with a CVT auto (which was absolutely superb), I am very familiar with the unjustified animosity shown towards this type of transmission. So my advice would be to try one yourself before writing it off.

I'll be honest, a Toyota Corolla with the 2.0 hybrid would be my preferred choice out of all mentioned. The Mazda is great looking car and very reliable, but as said, finding one is not going to be easy. But the Levorg would also definitely be on the cards for me.

Those Mazda 2.5 SA-G autos are like gold dust. You may find more 2L versions - from test driving one in a 3 (3rd gen) & CX-3 (they are tuned to a lower output at 120PS not 145 or 165PS in the bigger cars), they are fine performance-wise, nothing more. Very smooth power delivery though.

It's a shame Mazda don't offer (yet) the 6 and CX-5 with the Skyactiv-X 2L engine, which has essentially the same power / performance as the 2.5 SA-G, but under 'normal' loads would likely get about 20% better mpg.

The Real MPG figure of 39 for the Mazda6 (saloon version featured only) in manual 2.5L SA-G form isn't too bad, only a tad less than the 2L. The estate probably won't be that much less in comparison. The lack of 2.5L user data probably is due to being so few of them around.

Toyota Corolla TS - Also hadn’t considered this, great suggestion as it ticks most boxes. Economical and reliable. I just don’t particularly like the look or the interior.

Also consider the Suzuki Swace same body/hybrid running gear as the Toyota Corolla TS but generally cheaper.

My goodness the recent Toyota hybrid gubbins have moved on a bit. I test drove a 24 plate Suzuki Swace yesterday and wow I loved it. I was worried about me fitting it to drive (I'm - er big) but seat fully back, down and slightly reclined it was great for me. I rather liked it, very refined indeed even if you put your hoof down. Pulled really well and ride was excellent. After mixed driving when I got back it told me I'd done over 67 mpg on the journey. It's moved on from an early Prius I tried years ago that really moaned re engine when you accelerated. It's firmly on my list.

I found the lower spec 1.8 perfectly adequate, and I prefer the softer ride on the taller profile tyres, but the 2.0 is noticeably quicker and a bit grippier, it depends on your own wants and needs.

My understanding is that the 2.0 Icon (rare but they do exist s/h) still gets 16" wheels & the higher profile tyres. Of course it doesn't have the tsame toys of a Design/Excel etc. if there is anything on those that one must have.