The updated 2023 Mazda 6 has arrived in Australia.
Snapshot
- 2023 Mazda 6 update announced
- New flagship 20th Anniversary grade commemorates two decades of nameplate
- Updated technology and new colours; pricing unconfirmed
With the first-generation 6 debuting locally in mid-2002, Mazda has unveiled a new 20th Anniversary grade based on the flagship Atenza, with unique badging, an updated interior colour palette, and the brand’s new ‘artisan red’ or ‘rhodium white’ finishes.
It also features a glossier silver grille and 19-inch alloy wheels, while there’s tan suede-look and Nappa leather upholstery inside, and 20th Anniversary badging on the front headrests.
The existing range has also received minor updates for model-year 2023, with price increases of between $420 and $1120.
Traffic jam assist is now available on the GT SP and Atenza, while wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless phone charger feature on the Touring and above.
In addition, black Nappa leather replaces the previous ‘walnut brown’ look for the Atenza. Its white Nappa leather option has been deleted.
As before, the Mazda 6 includes an ageing 8-inch infotainment unit, rather than the larger 8.8-, 10.25 or 12.3-inch screens available in the 3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-60, CX-8 and CX-9 with its latest infotainment system.
The blacked-out GT SP extends its theme for 2023, with a gloss black grille frame and tailgate wing, while the wagon gains black roof rails. This adds to the darkened side mirrors, black alloy wheels and burgundy leather in the outgoing model.
VFACTS new-car sales figures reveal 1511 examples of the Mazda 6 were sold in Australia in 2022, placing it behind the hugely popular Toyota Camry (9538), but ahead of the Skoda Octavia (963) and Volkswagen Passat (759).
JUMP AHEAD
- 2023 Mazda 6 pricing
- 2023 Mazda 6 features
- Colours
- Engine, drivetrain, and fuel economy
- Safety
- Dimensions
- Warranty and servicing
- Availability
2023 Mazda 6 pricing
Prices exclude on-road costs.
| Model | Pricing | Change |
|---|---|---|
| G25 Sport sedan | $35,540 | up $420 |
| G25 Sport wagon | $36,840 | up $420 |
| G25 Touring sedan | $40,210 | up $690 |
| G25 Touring wagon | $41,510 | up $690 |
| G35 GT SP sedan | $48,440 | up $1120 |
| G35 GT SP wagon | $49,470 | up $850 |
| G35 Atenza sedan | $51,840 | up $1120 |
| G35 Atenza wagon | $53,140 | up $1120 |
| 20th Anniversary sedan | $53,635 | new |
| 20th Anniversary wagon | $54,935 | new |
2023 Mazda 6 features
G25 Sport
| 17-inch alloy wheels | Rear parking sensors |
| 8-inch MZD Connect infotainment system | Auto-dimming rear-view mirror |
| Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Tyre pressure monitoring |
| Satellite navigation | Rain-sensing wipers |
| Six-speaker audio system | Heated, power-folding side mirrors |
| Head-up display | LED headlights and tail-lights |
| Paddle shifters | Halogen daytime running lamps |
| Black cloth upholstery | Roof rails and rear spoiler (wagon). |
G25 Touring
| In addition to G25 Sport | |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay (new) and wired Android Auto | Front parking sensors |
| Wireless phone charger (new) | 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory |
| 11-speaker Bose audio system | Six-way power-adjustable passenger seat |
| Keyless entry | Auto-folding side mirrors |
| Black leather upholstery | LED daytime running lamps. |
G35 GT SP
| In addition to G25 Touring | |
|---|---|
| Additional black exterior trim (new) | Heated front and rear seats |
| Traffic jam assist (new) | Burgundy leather upholstery |
| 19-inch alloy wheels (gloss black) | Adaptive high beam. |
G35 Atenza
| In addition to G35 GT SP | |
|---|---|
| 19-inch alloy wheels (silver) | Black headlining |
| Bright exterior trim | 360-degree camera system |
| Black Nappa leather upholstery (replaces brown or white) | Ventilated front seats |
| 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster | Wood and suede interior accents |
| Glass sunroof | Heated steering wheel. |
| LED ambient lighting | |
20th Anniversary
| In addition to G35 Atenza | |
|---|---|
| 19-inch alloy wheels (high-gloss silver) | High-gloss silver grille |
| Tan Nappa leather and Leganu suede upholstery | 20th Anniversary badging. |
Colours
| Rhodium white (new) | Machine grey |
| Platinum quartz (new) | Polymetal grey |
| Artisan red (new; 20th Anniv. only) | Deep crystal blue |
| Sonic silver | Jet black. |
| Soul red crystal |
Metallic paint incurs a $750 premium. It is included in the cost of the 20th Anniversary edition.
Engine, drivetrain, and fuel economy
Under the bonnet, the flagship 2.5-litre turbo remains – despite rumours of its demise for the Japanese market – but with a slight power bump. It now produces 173kW (at 4250rpm), up 3kW, while peak torque remains unchanged at 420Nm (at 2000rpm) – but a further 8Nm is available at 4250rpm.
Turbo models also receive a retuned six-speed automatic transmission, which is said to provide a more direct upshift response and increased reactive force of the accelerator pedal.
The entry-level 140kW/252Nm naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine remains available on the Sport and Touring.
However, across the range, Mazda has updated the characteristics of the electric power-assisted steering to “enhance response and provide more tactile feedback at medium and high speeds”.
| 2023 Mazda 6 claimed fuel economy | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol | 7.0L/100km | 164g/km |
| 2.5-litre turbo-petrol | 7.6L/100km | 178g/km |
Safety
The Mazda 6 is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2018.
It received a score of 95 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child occupant protection, 66 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 73 per cent for safety assist.
Six airbags (dual front, side and curtain) are fitted across the range.
| 2023 Mazda 6 active safety features | |
|---|---|
| Autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, reverse) | High-beam assist |
| Lane-keep assist | Intelligent speed limit assist |
| Lane departure warning | Driver attention alert |
| Blind-spot alert | Adaptive cruise control |
| Rear cross-traffic alert | Traffic sign recognition. |
Dimensions
The Mazda 6 sedan has a wheelbase of 2830 millimetres, and is 4865mm long, 1887mm wide (with folded mirrors) and 1450mm tall.
As for the wagon, it has a shorter wheelbase at 2750mm, and it is 4800mm long, identical in width, and 1480mm tall.
The sedan has a claimed 474-litre boot capacity, extending to 1538L with the rear seats folded. The wagon has a deeper 508-litre boot, or 1648L with the second-row down.
Warranty and servicing
As per the wider Mazda range, the 6 is covered by the brand’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with a five-year roadside assistance program.
The service schedule for all variants is now 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. This has increased from 10,000 kilometres, in line with most of its competitors.
Mazda offers capped-price servicing on the 6, covering the first five years or 75,000 kilometres.
Availability
The updated 2023 Mazda 6 sedan and wagonwill arrive in Australian showrooms in the coming weeks.
For more information on Mazda’s wait times, click here.
Keyword: 2023 Mazda 6 pricing and features: 20th Anniversary edition, new tech