Mazda 6 - TopCarNews

Mazda 6 (2013 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Mazda 6 (styled as Mazda6) is a large family car, offered in both saloon and estate (known as Tourer) body styles. The current model was launched back in 2013, and has seen several updates over the last eight years.

Despite being older than most of its rivals, the Mazda 6 is still competitive in the family car segment against rivals like the Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia. It was previously offered with a diesel engine, but – as with most of the new car market – that option has now disappeared and only petrol power is available. There’s also no hybrid or electric option, which is not surprising for a vehicle that was launched nearly a decade ago.

As of December 2021, the Mazda 6 has an Expert Rating of 70% based on 31 reviews. That’s only a couple of points behind the much-newer Passat and several points better than either the Mondeo or Insignia, although it’s a long way off the class-leading Skoda Superb.

The Mazda 6 has been warmly praised for its driving dynamics, styling (both inside and out) and comfort. However, powertrain choices are limited to a few petrol engines, with no electrified options available. Rear headroom is also not as good as some rivals, which may be important if you regularly carry adult passengers in the back seats. Running costs are also higher than average for the class.

Mazda 6 highlights

Interior is both stylish and functional
Exterior design is clean and understated
Comfortable ride
Good cabin and boot space

Mazda 6 lowlights

Limited powertrain choice
Running costs are higher than most rivals
Rear headroom limited for tall passengers
Infotainment screen is small

Key specifications

Body style: Large saloon and estateEngines: petrol
Price: From £24,990 on-road

Launched: Summer 2016Last updated: Summer 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Mazda 6 saloon

Mazda 6 Tourer

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Score: 8.2 / 10“The Mazda 6 is a viable option to the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat, and exceeds those rivals in some areas – such as its particularly impressive safety package.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 has long been an Auto Express favourite, winning the Best Family Car category in our 2013 and 2014 New Car Awards. The fact that it’s still one of the best in its class after this length of time shows just how good it is.”
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Model reviewed: Tourer (estate) rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 Tourer is a spacious, economical and well-made estate that rivals the Ford Mondeo.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 brings above-average levels of style and driving appeal to the big family car class. It’s also classy and very well equipped, but running costs are on the high side and it’s starting to show its age in a couple of areas.”
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Model reviewed: Tourer (estate) rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 Tourer is classy, practical and unusually good to drive for an estate car. It’s very well equipped too, but running costs are higher than average and it’s starting to show its age in some key areas.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 is now closer than ever to upsetting the established class leaders.”
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic GT Sport Nav+Score: 7 / 10“If you care about driving and your reasonably priced saloon must sup unleaded petrol, the Mazda6 makes a strong case for itself. For a front-driver it’s not only unusually satisfying but satisfying full stop.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel manual SE-L NavScore: 8 / 10“Stylish, smooth and exceptionally comfortable, the ‘tweaked’ Mazda 6 doesn’t move the game forwards but maintains its appeal.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Some welcome tweaks should put the Mazda 6 on more choice lists.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“A new petrol engine and posher interior, plus even tidier road manners make the Mazda 6 an even better cut-price BMW 3 Series and a far better prospect than the underwhelming Jaguar XE – courtesy of its sharp drive and better quality cabin.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Mazda has done a seriously impressive job of updating the 6 to keep it competitive. Few estates and saloons at this price point can deliver such a rewarding drive. With superb equipment levels, excellent practicality and handsome looks, it’s one of the best-value packages in today’s market.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“The fact that there’s no hatchback version of the Mazda 6 is disappointing, and while the diesels make more economic sense if you plan to rack up a high mileage, we’d for a petrol model every time on the basis of their superior driving experience.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8.6 / 10“The Mazda6 saloon is one of our favourite family cars, with sharp looks, precise handling and fuel-efficient engines”
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Model reviewed: Tourer (estate) rangeScore: 8.8 / 10“The Mazda6 Tourer is a handsome, fun-to-drive estate car, with choice of petrol or diesel engines that are affordable to run.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Tourer estate rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Mazda 6 Tourer is a smart estate car that comes packed with standard equipment and safety kit, but alternatives can carry a lot more in their boots.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Mazda 6 is a smart saloon car that comes packed with standard equipment and safety kit, but there are roomier alternatives and engine choice is a little limited.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic GT Sport Nav saloon“Improved quality and more safety equipment in particular than ever before on the 6, although possibly not quite as cost-competitive.”
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Eurekar

Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel manual SE-L Lux Nav+ saloon“The Mazda 6 sits low to the ground and boasts sweeping lines and a raking roofline that give it genuinely appealing coupe looks – but which also help it stay glued to the road and deliver sharp, nimble handling and sure-footed, flat cornering.”
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic GT Sport Nav+ Tourer“The Mazda6 has always been a bit of a looker and the latest model is no exception, with new grille with redesigned headlights, LED running lights, smart new alloy wheels and new rear light clusters. The interior too, is smart, chic and functional, with plenty of space for five passengers.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Sport Nav+ Tourer“The new Mazda6 is radically different and upgraded both outside and in, and the emphasis has been to ramp up driving enjoyment and safety technology with more features as standard. It’s an impressive package for a mainstream model and offers better value for money eye-appeal.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Forget about SUVs. The Mazda 6, particularly in estate form, is proof that brilliant mainstream family cars still exist.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GT Sport Nav+ TourerScore: 8 / 10“Perhaps the thing that impressed us most with this latest Mazda 6 was the refinement; it really is a much quieter place to be on motorway journeys than previous models, and when it can also return decent fuel economy.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 puts the Japanese firmly among the frontrunners in the family car class. Thanks to Mazda’s attention to detail and commitment to weight reduction in order to improve economy and emissions, the 6 is good to drive and easy on the wallet.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: saloon rangeScore: 8.6 / 10“Stylish, sharp driving, well-equipped Mondeo alternative”
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Model reviewed: estate rangeScore: 8 / 10“Expect reliability, on top of a full complement of safety systems and the 64mpg claimed average fuel economy from one of the diesel choices will no doubt be a draw, too.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic GT Sport Nav+Score: 6 / 10“Well-equipped and fun to drive family car.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel manual GT Sport Nav+Score: 6 / 10“Mazda has pitched the 6 upmarket with some success, and it’s still as enjoyable to drive as it ever was. So despite feeling a little dated in some areas, it remains a worthwhile alternative to the usual suspects (ie – the Germans). Just don’t bother with the top-of-the-range versions.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview (saloon and estate)Score: 7 / 10“Another good Mazda from one of the very few car companies – any company, come to that – which simply doesn’t make a bad product.”
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What Car?

Score: 8 / 10“The Mazda 6 is a well rounded and appealing car, but it’s not as spacious nor quite as good to drive as its rivals.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Estate range“The Mazda 6 is more than just a handsome face: it’s a mature-feeling large estate car with comfort in spades and enough poise to be reasonably entertaining to drive. It also returns decent fuel economy for such a large car.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon range“The Mazda 6 is more than just a handsome face: it’s also one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class, with some outstanding economy figures and low CO2 emissions. And it feels sportier to drive than many of its rivals, as well.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2018

95%

ADULT OCCUPANT

91%

CHILD OCCUPANT

66%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

73%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Mazda 6 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mazda 6 has received

2018

Auto Express Driver Power Awards – Gold Award, Family Car class

2015

Northern Ireland Car of the Year Awards – Best Executive Car

2014

Auto Express Awards – Best Family Car
Carbuyer Awards – Best Large Family Car

2013

Auto Express Awards – Best Family Car
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Eco Car

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