Mazda 6 facelift (2010)
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 01 July 2010
I normally test my cars in England – but stunning Scotland provided the scenery for the recent UK launch of the upgraded Mazda 6.
Inverness is truly beautiful, and the drive out towards Loch Ness does any car justice.
The roads give you a chance to really drive.
There are no traffic jams - just lots of hills, twisty bends and long stretches of open tarmac where you can really enjoy the feeling of freedom behind the wheel.
The latest version of the Mazda 6 didn’t disappoint.
The Changes
So what does the facelifted 6 look like? Well, at first glance, the car is not much different to the older model, but as you get a little closer you see the front and rear have been restyled. The 6 now features Mazda's distinctive new family face complete with restyled silver-backed headlamps and fog lamp bezels. Similarly, the rear of both hatch and estate boast good-looking new taillights.
These exterior changes are complemented inside with contemporary silver ringed dials and controls, while the centre console and steering wheel spokes are finished in a high gloss black trim. But what is immediately noticeable is the improved sweeping dashboard with its softer casing. This gives the whole cabin a higher quality feel. That’s not to say that Mazda has binned all of its cheaper looking interior plastic mouldings – bits and pieces have still found their way in.
The Mazda 6's four familiar equipment levels – S, TS, TS2 and Sport – all deliver great safety and kit.
Upgraded equipment includes ‘smart’ turn indicators and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) for all models, while higher-end models like the magnificent 170ps 2.5 litre Sport get a funky new rear spoiler, front and rear parking sensors, Hill Hold Assist (HHA) and active Bi-Xenon AFS front lights.
Choice & better economy
The fresh-look Mazda 6 range comes with a choice of six engines – three petrol and three turbo diesel, available with five and six-speed manual transmissions or five-speed auto boxes. The petrol versions range from the 120ps 1.8 litre and 155ps 2.0 litre to my favourite – the rapid 170ps 2.5 litre performance flagship. The diesel range involves three variants of Mazda’s 2.2 litre turbo-charged powerplant which delivers 129ps, 163ps and a very meaty 180ps.
The Mazda 6 promises to deliver better economy and lower emissions than before. CO2 emission levels are from just 138g/km with a combined economy of up to 54.3mpg. But it's not all about being green and economical; steering and suspension have been enhanced to give a more sporty and dynamic driving experience, making the car real fun to drive.
If you're more of a badge polisher than an engineering expert, you'll be pleased to know that I reckon the bold new styling of the car is first rate.
Put it this way, if you need a family car but you still want a sporty, affordable, sexy looking car, then you'll enjoy seeing this sitting on your drive.
You'll even be able to find the money for a valet occasionally with the cash you'll undoubtedly save from the Mazda 6’s clean and fuel efficient engines.
Yes, priced from £16,995 to £23,445 on the road, this car delivers great value and top-notch performance. And with Mazda's legendary reputation for reliability, you can't go far wrong.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Looks
- Interior
- Strong engine
- Economical
CONS
- Interior plastics
FAST FACTS
- Upgraded Mazda 6
- Price: £16,995 to £23,445 on the road
- Mechanical: Choice of 6 engines, 3 petrol and 3 diesel, from 120ps to 180ps
- Max speed: Up to 137 mph
- 0-62mph: 8.4 – 11.3 seconds
- Combined mpg: Up to 54.3
- CO2 emissions: From 138g/km
