The role of a mid-class estate
Fathers of families have in recent years been tending increasingly to opt for SUV and van models. Normal estate models have a loyal customer base but have difficulty in attracting new buyers. Some miss the higher seating position, others complain of the lack of driving dynamics and for many an estate car model is simply too boring. But this latter is no longer the case, as not only the Mazda 6 but also its well-established rivals prove. Yes, there are good reasons to choose the Mazda 6 and it is a decision which will give the buyer an auto which is both good-looking and eminently practical. It is, however, one of the mysteries of the inscrutable Orient… Mazda’s inexplicable policy of offering not only the 129 horsepower version but two further versions with very similar power outputs, 163 and 180 horsepower. The two bigger diesels deliver almost identical performance and are only differentiated by their manifold pressure values. This must make it very difficult for showroom sales staff to argue for the one or the other.
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- The most sensible choice would be the middle version with 163 horsepower (120 kW). The four-cylinder turbo-diesel with an engine capacity of 2.2 litres delivers from 1,800 to 3,000 RPM a maximum torque of 350 Nm and runs very smoothly.
Big ambitions, small thirst
For those who do a lot of driving the most sensible choice would be the middle version with 163 horsepower (120 kW). The four-cylinder turbo-diesel with an engine capacity of 2.2 litres delivers from 1,800 to 3,000 RPM a maximum torque of 350 Nm and runs very smoothly. The noise level remains very low in spite of lively performance and the driver can be lazy about shifting gears. However Mazda has refrained from installing in the 6 2.2 CD some of the currently popular efficiency-enhancing features such as regenerative braking, energy saving de-activation of ancillary equipment and stop-start automation. These bonus items will only come with the new ‘Skyaktiv’ motor generation which will have its première in September at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Even now, though, the Mazda 6 2.2 CD Estate has an admirably modest thirst for fuel. The stated average of 5.4 litres per hundred kilometres driven was in practice not attainable but at around 5.8 or 5.9 the result was quite favourable for a front-wheel-driven automobile weighing in at 1.6 tons.
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- There might be some who would wish there was an automatic transmission on offer but this will only become available with the new Mazda motor generation. Drivers of the current Mazda 6 must settle for a rather clunky stick-shift… at least in the diesel powered models.
Pleasant behaviour
The car’s performance is entirely adequate. The family estate reaches a hundred kilometres an hour in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 211 leaves no driver feeling any need to opt for the 180 horsepower top model. There might be some who would wish there was an automatic transmission on offer but this will only become available with the new Mazda motor generation. Drivers of the current Mazda 6 must settle for a rather clunky stick-shift… at least in the diesel powered models. Matching the positive attributes of the four-cylinder engine is the suspension. Whether lightly loaded or filled to capacity the Mazda 6 sits well on the road and deals with most bumps admirably, although the rear seat passengers might experience a bit of discomfort from the rather lively back axle. The steering is precise and is well able to deal with the 350 Nm of torque on hand.
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- The steering is precise and is well able to deal with the 350 Nm of torque on hand.
Comfort sacrifices
With an overall length of 4.79 metres the Mazda 6 Estate is a decent sized auto. This is to be appreciated by the occupants who will find excellent comfort for four. But for three the rear seating is a bit cramped. The seats are in general comfortable even for longer journeys although the back seat passengers will be less happy and will find the head-rests too low.
There are no head-phone jacks nor is there 12 volt electricity supply or heating for the rear seats. In this respect rival marques have more to offer. The sacrifices, however, are almost compensated by the good capacity of the Mazda 6, able to accept 519 litres of load, even if this is only marginally more than the space available in a Passat, Mondeo and in other usual suspects. The back seats fold down easily to increase the total capacity to 1,751 litres and the maximum load weight is given as a good 625 kilos.
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- For the ‘Exclusive’ version the car maker will be asking at least 30,490 Euros for the Mazda 6 2.2 CD Estate. But then there is the added cost for the additional ‘Touring’ and ‘Business’ packages, each at 1,700 Euros. They bring Xenon headlights, a sound system by Bode, lane changing assistant, parking aid front and back as well as tyre pressure monitoring.
Inflexible equipment strategy
The Mazda 6 is its own worst enemy when it comes to the equipment variants on offer. Many significant items are only to be had by combining several of the packages available. The ‘Exclusive’ line is almost mandatory, since this gives the owner air conditioning, cruise control, 17 inch aluminium rims, heated seats, and rain and dusk sensors. For the ‘Exclusive’ version the car maker will be asking at least 30,490 Euros for the Mazda 6 2.2 CD Estate. But then there is the added cost for the additional ‘Touring’ and ‘Business’ packages, each at 1,700 Euros. They bring Xenon headlights, a sound system by Bose, lane changing assistant, parking aid front and back as well as tyre pressure monitoring. But if the driver also seeks a navigation system, electrically operated leather seats and a sliding glass roof panel then there is no alternative to the top ‘Sports’ line. This, with the 2.2 litre diesel power plant, (33,490 Euros) raises the investment again by 2,300 or 1,990 Euros. In this respect it would seem clear that Mazda needs to simplify their procedures, otherwise they risk losing any advantage they may have in the family estate car segment. And this is a fate they do not deserve, for the Mazda 6… particularly in its 2.2 CD Estate version… is a very convincing automobile which will be appreciated not only by families.
