2.2 Sport Diesel (175ps) Auto 5dr Hatchback

Outstanding!

It took me six months to decide on the new Mazda 6. I have looked around for every model of every brand and I am rather certain the Mazda 6 is the best buy at this segment. The BMW 3/Audi A4 is about £6k - £8K more for the same spec, yet they are much smaller cars all round. The Mondeo is dated, the VW Passat is ordinary to drive and Accord engines are miles away on efficiency. The Avensis has horrible handling and the New Octavia, although good on paper, has not been allowed to beat the Passat (which it could easily do). Yet 22k for an Octavia is hard to digest.

I have only just had the Mazda 6 and its a real sporty car. Its got awesome looks and is a 2013 car design of the year finalist. The 2.2L Diesel (175HP) is smooth as silk, barely audible at idle or at speed... Yet its got class leading efficiency. The handling is superb, the auto gearbox is sublime (some US reviews say its trumped the Merc in this dept). The cabin is huge and ergonomics are good. I do not have any complains about the firm suspension that most mainstream reviewers have (they had to find something to let the Germans win!) Yes, its firm but very comfortable even with my 19 inch wheels. Each to his own and a test drive will tell.

The 11 Bose speakers are excellent but my only gripe is with the audio system where the playlist in the USB or Aux device starts from scratch every time you switch the engine off. And that is pretty annoying. The radio holds the last station you played,though. I hear a software update is due and I very much hope it is.

To sum up, drivers who buy a car because they love to drive should look no further. And those who buy German regardless would, well, buy them regardless.

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