Mazda6 Review

Mazda6 Review

Introduction

The new-generation Mazda6 was launched in November 2007 and we have already road tested the 2.5 petrol: Mazda6 Sport Estate Review in August 2008.

Now Mazda has developed a new diesel engine for the '6' range - a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine that according to them is one of the quietest and most powerful in its class.

Rather than test another estate we opted to look at the 4 door saloon which comes in three trim levels - TS, TS2 and Sports Luxury.

There is a choice of two petrol engines: 2.0 and 2.5 litre and one diesel engine but with two power outputs (163 ps) and (185 ps). It is worth noting that the saloon is not currently available with the lower output 125 ps diesel engine or the 1.8 petrol.

Prices for the four door saloon range start at £17,210 and rise to £22,460 for the top of the range diesel Mazda6 2.2 4dr Sports Luxury Diesel (185ps).

We chose to test the Mazda6 4 door saloon in SL (sports luxury) trim, powered by the new MZR-CD 2.2 diesel engine with 185 ps.

How It Drove - Performance

We drove the diesel powered Mazda6 saloon with the common-rail 2.2 High-Power 185ps engine - the diesel engine is available (hatchback only) in three versions producing 185, 163 and 125 PS of maximum power output and torque of 400, 360 and 310 Nm respectively.

The 185ps high-power diesel engine produces 185ps at 3500 rpm and delivers 400nM of torque between 1800 - 3000 rpm. This is enough to propel the Mazda6 from 0-62 mph in 8.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 135 mph.

The diesel engine is surprisingly quiet and refined and offers great low down torque delivery. It is always eager to respond and is very rewarding to drive.

The 2.2 litre diesel engines are mated to a six speed manual gearbox, the engine is quiet and relaxed on the motorway, although there is a little more road noise than we would have liked.

Mazda quote 149 g/km for CO2 emissions and a combined fuel consumption figure of 50.4 mpg even claiming a remarkable 60.1 mpg on the urban cycle - we achieved circa 52 mpg on the motorway.

How It Drove - Ride/Handling

Mazda have always tried to pitch the Mazda6 as a sports saloon and the handling is certainly dynamic and so is the tractability - overall it is very well balanced and poised with plenty of grip.

We liked the ride quality which, although quite hard, absorbed all but the most vicious of pot-holes.