Mazda6 throws out challenge to mid-size rivals

The least you'll pay for the new Mazda6 is $33,460. That's just $10 more than the cheapest automatic variant from the previous range – a small premium to pay for the vehicle that has assumed the mantle of Mazda's technology leader. 

Those who thought the CX-5's slash-and-burn pricing (relative to CX-7) was a sign of things to come with the new Mazda6 may be disappointed. But be not disappointed; the new '6' has the visual presence, quality and sophistication expected from the best of European and Japanese prestige models, yet still priced affordably for a typical family. 

As motoring.com.au has reported previously, the new Mazda6 is auto-only, but with two SKYACTIV engines, the 2.5-litre petrol four and the 2.2-litre diesel four. Peak output figures are 138kW/250Nm for the petrol engine and 129kW/420Nm for the diesel, delivered to the front wheels via the six-speed 'SKYACTIV Drive' automatic transmission. Fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures are rated at 6.6L/100km and 153g/km for the petrol sedan (155g/km for the wagon) and 5.4L/100km and 141g/km for the diesel (both sedan and wagon). 

An aerodynamically slippery new body (0.26Cd for sedan, 0.28Cd for wagon), features ultra-high strength steel throughout for a 100kg weight loss. The tauter but lighter body has allowed Mazda to opt for MacPherson struts in lieu of the superseded car's double-wishbone front end. At the rear, the multi-link independent system shares no common elements with the system found in the superseded model. Braking is handled by four-wheel discs, ventilated at the front, and steering is electrically assisted. Larger now and more spacious inside, the new car turns through an 11.0m turning circle (11.2 for the wagon) and boasts a luggage capacity of 438 litres (sedan) and 451 litres (wagon). 

Four levels of trim comprise the model structure for the new Mazda6, starting with the petrol-only Mazda6 Sport, working up to the Touring, GT and range-topping Atenza grades. Mazda6 Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, electric mirrors/windows (one touch up and down), push-button (keyless) starting, leather trimmed steering wheel/gearknob/handbrake lever, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, reach/rake adjustment for steering column, trip computer, Bluetooth-compatible six-speaker audio system with MP3-compatible single-disc CD/steering wheel controls/USB input and remote central locking.

Standard equipment for the Mazda6 Touring adds leather seat trim, eight-way electric driver's seat adjustment with two-position memory, four-way electric adjustment for front-passenger's seat, Bose premium audio with 11 speakers and front/rear parking sensors.

Over and above the specification of the Touring, the Mazda6 GT also features 19-inch alloy wheels (instead of 17-inch wheels),  LED daytime running lights, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, sunroof, keyless entry, electrochromatic rear-view mirror and front-seat heating.

As the flagship of the range, the Mazda6 Atenza – named after the Japanese domestic market badge worn by the car – is fitted as standard with the following additional items: Adaptive cruise control,  Forward Obstruction Warning, High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Brake Support. 

Safety features fitted across the range as standard include: Dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags (thorax), traction control, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist, emergency warning brake lights, Hill Launch Assist, Intrusion-minimising brake pedal and reversing camera. 

Mazda expects an initial surge in sales of around 800 units per calendar month, settling back to 750 a month averaged across the first year. That represents an approximate increase of around 200 units a month. According to the company's marketing manager, Alastair Doak, wagons will account for 35 per cent of sales, with the balance of 65 per cent remaining taken up by sedans. It's a similar sales split for diesels and petrol variants too, with the former predicted to comprise 35 per cent of sales, versus 65 per cent for the petrol cars. The new model is already on sale in dealer stock and a TV commercial campaign commences from Sunday December 9.

Prices for the new Mazda6 are as follows:

Sport sedan (petrol) $33,460
Sport wagon (petrol) $34,760
Touring sedan petrol $37,500
Touring wagon petrol $38,800
Touring sedan diesel $40,350
Touring wagon diesel $41,650
GT sedan petrol $43,220
GT wagon petrol $44,520
GT sedan diesel $46,070
GT wagon diesel $47,370
Atenza sedan petrol $46,810
Atenza wagon petrol $48,110
Atenza sedan diesel $49,660
Atenza wagon diesel $50,960

A unique colour, Soul Red, can be specified as an option for $200 over the basic price of each car.

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