Here to stay! Mazda6 axed in the UK, as 2023 model pricing confirmed for Australia

The Mazda6 has been removed from the brand’s UK line-up 20 years after going on sale, while Mazda Australia has today confirmed pricing for the 2023 model year to confirm its continued sale here.

Starting from $35,540 before on-road costs for the base G25 Sport sedan, the range also now stretches up to the limited-edition Mazda6 20th Anniversary, which of course celebrates the milestone since the model was introduced in the early 2000s.

Each variant is available as either sedan or wagon, including the 20th Anniversary.

For models with the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine – the G35 GT SP, Atenza, and 20th Anniversary – power is up slightly to 173kW with torque still at 420Nm, while the six-speed automatic gearbox paired to these models has been updated to provide “a more direct upshift response and exciting driving feel”.

The 20th Anniversary, which starts from $53,635 for the sedan or $54,935 for the wagon, comes with all the top-spec features from the Atenza grade, while adding unique 19-inch silver alloys, a high-gloss silver grille, and 20th Anniversary badging.

Inside, a tan Nappa Leather and Leganu synthetic suede upholstery distinguishes it from the rest of the range.

While you shouldn’t hold your breath for an entirely new Mazda6, Mazda Australia is more committed to the model than some markets.

“Mazda6 remains an important model in the Mazda Australia mix,” a Mazda Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.

“We’re looking forward to the launch of the upcoming 20th anniversary model this year, along with an update to the Mazda6 line-up.”

In the UK, a report from Autocar cites slowing sales as the reason for the Mazda6 being dropped, with the brand’s UK arm focusing more on SUVs.

It’s not unlike the situation in Australia, though the confirmation and pricing of the 2023 model Mazda6 put even more weight behind word from Mazda Australia’s marketing director, Alastair Doak, last year.

“As a priority, if you look at the volume of the Mazda6 versus the CX-5, where would you put it? It’s a pretty easy conversation,” says Mr Doak.

“We can remember the heady days of the original Mazda6, which was doing up to 1600 (sales) a month, we’re now doing a couple of hundred a month.

“I think the market is telling us they want more SUVs and other things, and we’ll continue with that. But the current Mazda6 will continue, and there are some updates coming to it, and it will continue in our line-up.”

In 2022, Mazda Australia sold 1511 Mazda 6s, up on the figure of 1491 from 2021 very slightly, though still trailing the Toyota Camry which sold 9538 in 2022.

2023 Mazda 6 sedan pricing before on-road costs

2023 Mazda 6 wagon pricing before on-road costs

Keyword: Here to stay! Mazda6 axed in the UK, as 2023 model pricing confirmed for Australia