Mazda6 2.0D TS2 Estate14 | 08 | 2010Scotcars rating
Unassuming but brilliant Mazda6 shows how to do load-lugging with panache
Overview
For what, on the face of it, is a standard family estate car, the Mazda6 attracted a lot of interest. The fact that its paint job was brilliant white could have had something to do with it and most of the questions came from people who it turned out already owned Mazdas, or had done in the recent past. But the main reason it stood out on the street was because – it simply stood out on the street. It’s a very stylish piece of kit with a dramatic stance when parked and a very practical and versatile machine when you ask it to take on the everyday tasks.
Like every modern Mazda, it’s also very well put together with a feeling that it will remain like that and give sterling service for many years to come. My test car was nine months old and had already clocked up 14,000 miles, yet everything felt as fresh as the day it left the factory. There are now an astonishing 26 versions of the Mazda6 and the latest 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine is a cracker.
The latest 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine is a cracker
On the road
The only hint of criticism I could throw at the car is the firmness of the suspension. Of course it gives added confidence on the bends with the feeling that all four wheels are planted firmly on the tarmac, regardless of the enthusiasm with which you enter any change of direction. However, if the road is anything less than silky smooth you do feel every rut, bump and variation of surface and at times I felt something less than the sporty setting would have been more pleasant.
Controls and instruments are all clear, concise and well designed although it took me a little while to get used to having to fiddle my way through a sequence just to find out my average fuel consumption and range. The integrated Bluetooth which comes with the TS2 version was very simple to link with my phone and worked well.
Comfort & Safety
The car is stylish on the outside and feels vast on the inside. The rear loadspace was happy to accommodate a large cash-and-carry load without even thinking about having to fold the rear seats. In the driving seat there’s little sense of the usual Japanese propensity to us a lot of plastic and the overall comfort level was high.
Standard equipment on all the top range models is Mazda’s lane-change Rear Vehicle Monitoring System. Similar to Volvo’s BLIS Blind Spot System, which uses cameras mounted in the door mirrors, Mazda’s uses two rear-facing radar units that detect a vehicle coming up behind on either side and warn the driver with a small light near the door mirror. It’s effective, but an alert driver should always be aware of what’s around them without having to rely on gadgets.
Should I buy one?
Yes — if you need a well-built, well-designed, practical and stylish car with impressive carrying capacity and a reputation for reliability.
Alan Douglas
| Quick Stats |
| Price OTR/As Tested |
£20,170 / £20,170 |
| Engine / Power: |
1998cc / 163bhp |
| How fast?: |
0-62mph 9.2sec Max speed 130mph |
| How big/heavy?: |
H1490mm W1795mm L4785mm / 1575kg |
| How thirsty/CO2?: |
Combined 50.4mpg / CO2 149g /km |
| InsGP/Road tax: |
12E / Band F, £125 |
| Alternatives: |
Ford Mondeo estate; Toyota Avensis estate; Honda Accord estate |