Mazda6 2017 Review

Enjoy driving in a Mazda6

Nimble and curvaceous, the Mazda6 offers a refreshingly spirited driving experience in a practical family car.

We love:

• Attractive styling
• Agile for its size
• Sophisticated interior
• Great fuel economy with the turbo-diesel

Pain points:

• No hybrid or all-wheel drive option offered by others in this class.
• No Apple CarPlay or Andriod Auto

Mazda6 2017 Review

Think medium cars are just a boring necessity? The Mazda6 proves that a sensible family car can still give a dynamic driving experience.

Exterior of the Mazda6 2017

The Mazda6 has clean styling with a touch of elegance. Swooping lines gracefully smooth the bulk that contains the spacious interior of the Mazda6.

Image courtesy of Drive.com.au

The Mazda6 comes in seven standard colours and two extra colour options, with its sleek appearance set off by 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels on the base model. Upgrading to the Mazda6 Atenza will give you larger wheels, a sunroof, auto-leveling LED headlights, heated mirrors and an auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirror.

Inside the 2017 Mazda6

The Mazda6 features a large, comfortable rear seat with 3 ISOFIX points and an ergonomically considerate dashboard. The panelling is plastic with metal-look finish, but it's super easy to keep clean.

Image courtesy of Drive.com.au

The Mazda6 2017 comes in either sedan or wagon, giving you a 474L boot space (1,463L with seats folded) and 506L boot-space (1,648L with seats folded) respectively.

The leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob add a touch of luxury in an otherwise mid-range interior. Dual climate control also means you can set different temperatures in each area of the cabin, while six airbags and standard 5-star ANCAP safety protect all occupants.

Connectivity

A seven-inch touchscreen facilitates DAB+ digital radio and satellite navigation, as well as internet radio stations Pandora, Sticher and Aha, with your choice of infotainment amplified through the 231-watt Bose 11-speaker sound system. Note that there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto function, though you can connect your smartphone using Bluetooth.

The screen sits above the centre stack and has an intuitive rotary dial, though you can't use the touchscreen while the car is in motion. The Mazda6 also has a CD player.

What's it like to drive a 2017 Mazda6?

Handling the front-wheel-drive Mazda6 is a breeze with predictable yet nimble handling. In the top-end Mazda6 Atenza, automatic cruise control maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

"...clear, linear steering and an agility that gives you a hint this company makes a two-seater sports car..." - Top Gear.

The Mazda6 wagon handles better than the sedan on sharp, twisting roads due to its shorter wheelbase.

Image courtesy of Drive

The diesel Mazda6 gives you nearly 70 per cent more thrust power and better fuel consumption if you're towing or carrying a fully loaded vehicle. Shifting into 'manual' mode brings the paddle-shift gears into play for a more involved driving experience.

"It is among the best handling mid-size family cars" - James Whitbourne, WhichCar.

Blindspot monitoring, pedestrian detection, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers and rear cross traffic alert systems offer enhanced safety and aid the driver in tricky conditions. The size of the Mazda6 at 4.86m long does make it a challenge to park, and you might find that small inner-city car parks are too small.

Who's the Mazda 6 for?

The Mazda6 is a family car that offers a more engaging driving experience than an SUV, with clear, linear steering and a smooth, agile but still predictable drive. Plus you can fit the kids and your luggage in easily.

If you can spend the extra $3,000 for the diesel, you won't regret it.

Feature Summary

Price: $37,290

Engine: 2.5L four-cylinder petrol engine

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Wheels: 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels (base model)

Safety: 5-star ANCAP

Fuel: 6.6L/100km (petrol) or 5.4L/100km (diesel)

CO2: 153g/km

AV and tech: 7-inch touchscreen with DAB+ radio and sat-nav; Bose 231 watt amplifier with 11 speakers.

Seats: 5

Doors: 4 or 5 (sedan or wagon)

Ready for a stylish new family car? You can finance a Mazda6 from $163/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost.

No time to shop around for your car? Just tell us exactly what you want, including the features and colour. We will find the vehicle to match and negotiate the best price for you.

*Over a 5-year loan term.