Car Enthusiast - click here to access the home page


 



First drive: 2015MY Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.

First drive: 2015MY Mazda6 Tourer
Mazda refreshes its 6 line-up for 2015. Here's the estate.

   



<< earlier review     later review >>

Reviews homepage -> Mazda reviews

2015MY Mazda6 Tourer

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

A 2015 model year update to the Mazda6 brings with it more equipment, an improved interior and greater refinement on all, but only the range-topping Sport Nav models gain a new look as well.

Test Car Specifications

Model tested: Mazda6 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150hp SE-L Nav Tourer
Price: £24,795
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body style: estate
CO2 emissions: 110g/km (Band B, £20 per year)
Combined economy: 64.2mpg
Top speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
Power: 150hp at 4,500rpm
Torque 380Nm at 2,600rpm

What's this?

A mild make-over for the Mazda6, which in the case of this SE-L Nav model, means visually there's nothing to distinguish it from its predecessor. That's not really a complaint, given the 6 is a striking looker anyway, though buyers of the top-line Sport Nav version do benefit from LED lights front and rear and a more stylised grille with additional chrome detailing. Other customers will have to console themselves with an improved interior, which sees the handbrake replaced with an electronically operated one, housed in a new centre console between the front seats. Mechanically, nothing much has changed, either, though Mazda has tweaked the suspension for greater ride comfort and made detailed changes to improve refinement, too.

How does it drive?

That promise of greater ride comfort doesn't detract from the 6's appeal, so it remains among the more enjoyable cars in the class to drive. The steering is direct, though light on feel, its weighting decent and response good. The suspension too does a decent job of delivering agility with the sort of respectable ride comfort you'd want from something you're likely to spend entire days in.

The engine, a 2.2-litre turbodiesel unit, delivers useful performance, its plentiful torque working with the fine gearshift for easy, brisk progress. It's smooth too, being decently suppressed with regards to noise and vibration, though the 6 does still feature a bit more road and wind noise than the class best; Volkswagen's Passat is a more hushed environment. The 6 can't compete with that car on interior quality either, even if Mazda's changes to the dashboard are welcome - it's still a bit busy with mixed-quality materials.

It feels spacious inside though, the back seats decently proportioned and the boot vast, while folding the rear seatbacks is a doddle thanks to one-pull levers. Do that and the extended boot floor is flat, too. Equipment revisions include that new screen as part of the entertainment system, DAB radio and MZD connect - a function that allows the driver to pair the 6 with their smartphone and use its services. There's an optional head-up display now too, while Mazda has enhanced its optional Safety Pack - though it's only offered on Sport Nav models.

Verdict

Mazda's mid-life changes aren't enough to have dealers facing a stampede of new customers for the 6, and it's bit of a shame all but the Sport Nav models come with the visual tweaks. It remains a competitive, individual choice in the marketplace, though it's not as rounded as some.

4 4 4 4 4 Exterior Design

3 3 3 3 3 Interior Ambience

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 Passenger Space

5 5 5 5 5 Luggage Space

4 4 4 4 4 Safety

3 3 3 3 3 Comfort

3 3 3 3 3 Driving Dynamics

4 4 4 4 4 Powertrain


Kyle Fortune - 17 Feb 2015



  www.mazda.co.uk    - Mazda road tests
- Mazda news
- 6 images

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.



2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 

2015 Mazda6 Tourer. Image by Mazda.
 






 

Internal links:   | Home | Privacy | Contact us | Archives | Old motor show reports | Follow Car Enthusiast on Twitter | Copyright 1999-2024 ©