The current Mazda 6 has been around since 2012, which is six full years.
That's quite the age, but it received a quick facelift in 2015.
I drove the facelifted version and because Mazda fixed the necessary things,
it became one of my favorite cars in this class.
It was still incredibly dynamic, but it became a tad more comfortable,
because it was a little too hard at the beginning. Also, the balance was just right.
Now it's six years old and the 6 isn't planning on retiring soon, so it has received yet another facelift.
And it's a visible one. The nose now resembles the nose on the CX-5,
so it's got a different grille. It now has LED-matrix lights,
there's a new fold on the side, for the side view...
and there are some changes at the rear, but those are more visible on the saloon.
There's more. Mazda has also tweaked the interior,
so the 6 is truly ready for the future.
On the inside, you can see Mazda has been busy.
The base design is the same, but you can spot some differences.
A few buttons have changed positions and they've used better materials.
You'll notice that mostly in the new upholstery and the stitching over here.
It all looks a little bit better than before and with that,
Mazda hopes to join the premium brands, or rather be a good alternative to those premium brands.
In front of you, the dials have turned into a digital display.
With a black background, so there's more freedom for the design.
Also, the multimedia screen has increased in size. It went from 8 inch to 9 inch,
but it's still below the standard in this class.
The engine range has mostly remained the same. For the Netherlands,
the petrol engines are the most important, because the diesel market is receding.
So what do we have? A 2.0-litre SkyActiv producing 145 horsepower,
the same engine with 165 horsepower and there's a 2.5-litre producing over 190 horsepower.
The 165 horsepower version however is the sweet spot and that's the one you should want.
That said, the engine range is quite limited,
but so be it. I'm driving with a 6-speed automatic gearbox,
but my advice would be to take it with a manual gearbox, because the SkyActiv doesn't have a turbo anymore.
That's because Mazda has chosen to work with higher compression and to solve things in a different way.
The engine itself is very pleasant, but you'll have to rev more with an atmospheric engine.
Mazda's automatic gearbox is a tad too slow for that and if you've got a manual,
you're in control.
Mazda has tweaked the chassis as well. I've noticed it's even more comfortable than before.
It's funny actually because it went from pretty hard, to a good mix after the first facelift,
to even more comfortable after the second facelift. Fear not however,
the dynamics which define the Mazda 6, are still here.
It's still a very pleasant drivers car for this class.
Sometimes I think it has a little too much understeer, but that's only when I'm pushing the car to the limit.
And then I'm not judging it as a normal saloon car, but rather as a sporty saloon...
and that's something it's not pretending to be.
When you drive it for longer distances, you can tell it's become quieter as well.
That's not a coincidence, because Mazda has added more insulation material.
The seating is better as well, because the seats have been improved.
All kinds of small tweaks to increase the luxury and I think that was the biggest problem.
Personally, I just loved the Mazda 6. I have often said it could be a car I'd buy,
just like I've thought of the Insignia, in this class that is.
But that's mostly because of its dynamic handling. You'll often heard a metallic sound,
or that it wasn't very quiet on long distances, but the facelift has taken care of that.
So, are there any drawbacks? Absolutely.
It's very clear that the car is already six years old. Take the multimedia for example.
Sure, the screen is a tad bigger, but it's nowhere near the big touchscreens...
you can even find in some B-segment cars. The controls are nice though,
because you've got an i-Drive-like button and you've got a touchscreen.
I like that, but as a whole, it's a little limited.
Despite that, it's got Android Auto and Apple CarPlay,
which helps if you've got a smartphone.
One of the reasons they've tweaked the engines, is because they've got to comply with the Euro norms.
There's a new way of measuring, you've got the WLTP-cycle,
which states a new amount of CO2 and according to that,
the additional taxes become higher, so the Mazda 6 isn't as cheap as it was before.
If we're talking about the 165 horsepower version... When you spent €40.000 back in the day,
you had a very luxurious Mazda 6 with that engine. Those days are over though,
because you'll now exceed that limit.
The entry price for the 145 horsepower version is below €40.000, but if you want a relatively nice trim,
you'll be inching towards €50.000. And that's too bad,
because the price/quality ratio was an advantage for the Mazda 6, because you were able to drive it...
almost like a front-wheel drive BMW 3-series, when it came to dynamics.
Anyway, those are the times we live in.
Also, if I look further in the D-segment... It's not as full as it used to be before.
If we're looking at non-premium brands that is.
Its main rivals? Opel Insignia, Ford Mondeo, Renault Talisman...
Well, I'm leaning towards the Mazda 6 for myself, for someone who likes a true drivers car.
Again, the Insignia could be a good alternative. Qualitatively speaking, the Passat is the better car,
but it's more expensive as well. That's when you notice the segment isn't as crowded anymore.
Of course, there's a new 508 on its way, which is aimed at comfort.
So that's another segment as well. Having said that, only its age might work against it,
but it's not more than a small problem, because it offers enthusiasts enough to choose for the 6.