Review
OK, it doesn’t provide the behind the wheel thrills that the MPS does, but it is still a darn fine car. It looks good, drives keenly and smoothly, and is a good value choice for its sector – combined with healthy residual values.
The diesel pulls strongly and is at home on long motorway journeys – a really good choice for user-choosers. However, you can still run through the gears quickly to get low down torque for playing on minor roads.
The 6 is a real success story for Mazda; more than one million have been produced since its 2002 launch, with 63,408 sold in the UK by the end of October 2006. It is also Mazda’s best selling model for 2006.
UK sales for 2006 (up to the end of October) are 12,273. Samantha Williams, PR manager for Mazda Motors UK Ltd, says: “To the end of October 2006 we took a 5.7% share of the C/D segment (non-premium models) and 3.5% of the total segment. This is way above our overall passenger car market share year-to-date, which stands around 2.2%.
“Our projection for Mazda6 sales in 2007 is almost 14,000.”
In addition to the two diesel variants, Mazda also offers three 16v petrol engines: 1.8-, 2.0- and 2.3-litres. These petrol versions take the majority of sales at 61%, with diesels accounting for 39%.
The AM team will live with the 6 for a year, which will give us the luxury of getting to know the car inside out. But first impressions are favourable, with the car fitting in well with the lifestyles of all, from singles to family guys.
Price: £18,250
Engine: 2.0-litre diesel, 141bhp @ 3,500rpm, 265lb ft @ 2,000rpm
Performance: 0-62mph 9.5sec, top speed 127mph
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Start mileage: 40
Current mileage: 1,831
Test period: September 2006-September 2007
CAP RV 3yr/30k: £6,000 (33%)
CAP RV 3yr/60k: £5,175 (29%)
Likes: Feel immediately at ease with it
Dislikes: No sat-nav
Factsheet
No information available.
