Mazda has been offering a medium sized saloon for many years now. Originally badged as the 626 it has now fallen into line with Mazda's new-age badging policy and is known simply at the 6. Previous 626s have been capable enough but have suffered from anonymity due to their reserved character and relative blandness. Under their new "Zoom-zoom" tag line Mazda has sought to breathe new life into its range.

The recently facelifted Mazda6 benefits not just from cosmetic changes but a raft of engineering changes as well. A range of improved engines, new transmissions, structural changes to the body shell, chassis changes and interior tweaks add up to a comprehensive update aimed at keeping the 6 up to class standard. We drove the new 2.3-litre Sport version for a week.

The subtle restyle has freshened up the 6's looks nicely; a direct response to feedback from a customer survey that said external appearance was the most dominant factor of a new car purchaser. The light treatments are a differentiating touch whilst the front and rear bumpers offer a bolder new look without necessitating changes to the sheet metal work.

The range topping Sport features a 2.3-litre inline four-cylinder engine that produces 164bhp at 6500rpm backed up by 153lb.ft of torque at 4000rpm. Outright performance is a little disappointing as the 2.3 offers little advantage over the two-litre car on paper. However, in-gear performance is friskier thanks to the added torque. Other rivals offer more performance for the same engine size but consider pound for pound performance and the Mazda compares more favourably. Next year, those who harbour desires for more power and performance will be catered for with the forthcoming 260bhp MPS derivative, but until that car arrives the Sport is the performance flagship.

The engine features balancer shafts, but our test car suffered from a fair amount of vibration at idle and an unexpected harshness at higher revs. It isn't an unbearable amount by any means but Honda drivers won't feel at home. The torquey nature of the engine means you don't have to rev the engine hard to extract decent performance but given the sporty intensions of the car it's a shame, especially given that the new six-speed manual gearbox has a very slick and positive shift action that encourages you to work the engine and 'box to push on.

This encouragement is echoed elsewhere in the package with an excellent chassis that could obviously handle more power (something that bodes well for the MPS) and is good fun to hustle down your favourite roads. Given the car's size, more open roads are its preference but it is no disgrace in the tighter twisties. The nicely weighted steering that remains largely unspoilt by torque steer - other than under clumsily applied large throttle openings in the wet when exiting tight corners - is a pleasing facet in an accomplished chassis for what is, to most intents and purposes, a family car. There are glimpses here of Mazda beginning to inject some of that Zoom-zoom from its sportier offerings into the more mainstream volume models, something that gives us a real optimism about some of the cars they've promised in the near future.

The rest of the Mazda6 does everything you'd expect a family saloon car to do. The interior is spacious with plenty of room in the back, as well as the front, and almost van like load space in the rear with the seats folded flat and the benefit of the hatchback; I do sometimes wonder why people buy the four-door derivatives of cars such as these. The interior is a little bland and drab though the shiny graphite coloured plastic trim may add a little respite, but it looks a little low rent and maybe a little ill advised. Some of the minor controls could do with being breathed on a little as well, they just don't have the class or quality that we've come to expect in the age of the VAG interior. The metallic bezel surrounds on the dials do a decent job of brightening up the dash though.

Equipment levels are good with climate control, CD changer and full electrics offering the user friendly features needed for travelling in comfort. Taken in context with the price the 6 Sport is a highly competitive prospect. Not many rivals can offer such a well rounded package at the price. Given Mazda's excellent reliability record one can feel comfortable in the painless ownership experience as well.

The Mazda 6 Sport elevates itself above the humdrum drabness of the fleet fodder by virtue of its fresh face, spacious cabin and fun driving experience. Higher than average levels of road noise compromise its motorway cruising ability as a mile muncher in comparison to some rivals but overall it's a very good car that offers excellent value for money.