Mazda 6 2010 road test
Mazda has updated its sleek 6 range of family hatches and estates, not that you can tell at a glance from the outside. The big changes are under the bonnet, where most of the engines are more frugal and cleaner. This is just what’s needed with the changes to road tax and company drivers will be pleased at the reductions in carbon dioxide output. There are also improvements to the Mazda 6’s driving manners, but are they enough to keep the 6 at the forefront of the family class?
The entry-point to the Mazda 6 range is the 1.8-litre petrol engine, which has 118bhp to offer just enough oomph in the hatch. It’s not the best engine choice for the 6, even if it does rev freely, and it struggles when the estate model is loaded up. Much better is the 153bhp 2.0-litre petrol that comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard in place of the 1.8’s five-speeder. Punchy and refined, this is the best of the petrol motor range, though those looking for more grunt also have the choice of the 167bhp 2.5-litre unit. Better still are the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engines. They come in 127-, 161- and 177bhp forms, the latter taking a small power dip of 5bhp. However, this fractional loss of power is more than worth it for the greater flexibility of the most potent turbodiesel compared to its predecessor. Strong, relaxed and brawny, this engine is everything you could want in a family car’s turbodiesel motor, but it’s only available in the priciest Sport models, so the 161bhp remains the pick of the bunch. All of the revised diesels offer greater economy and lower CO2 emissions while being powerful, hushed engines for every type of driving condition, and their six-speed manual gearboxes are slick.
Read the full Mazda 6 road test
RoadTestReports.co.uk provides road tests reports written by members of the Guild of Motoring Writers. These reports are complemented by car reviews submitted by the members of the public who drive the vehicles day in day out.
Mazda 6 consumer car reviews
Mazda 6 lease prices
Mazda 6 new and nearly new
See also:
No comments yet
