Mid-sized Sedans Compare: New Mazda6

The fuel-gas is high these days, if you are a fuel-conscious vehicles buyer who don't mean to scrimp on car space, we give you some suggetion on the min-sized sedans models, the new Mazda6 and its rivals: Ford Mondeo and Toyota Camry.

Part #1 the New Mazda6

1. The Mazda6 Made Best Record

The original Mazda6 helped revive the medium-car carket when it was released in 2002. That car replaced a boxy-looking Model with a vehicle with sleek lines and sporty handling.
Australian buyers voted with their wallets and the Mazda6 helped drive the Japanese brand to record sales.

So the second-generation model Mazda6 released in February has a tough act to follow.

2. The Next-Generation Mazda6 is Available

A before, the new second-generation Mazda6 is available as a sedan, wagon or hatch. We've chosen the middle-of-the-range sedan as it's likely to be the most popular model.

The Mazda range starts from $A29,740 and stretches to $A46,910 - the car tested is the $A35,940 Classic.

3. The New Mazda6 Equipment

All new Mazda6s come with a comprehensive level of safety equipment. Front, side and curtain airbags - and stability control - are standard across the range.

All models come with basic luxuries such as remote entry, air-conditioning, cruise control and an MP3 compatible CD player. The Classic upgrades are a six-disc CD player, dual zone air-conditioning, alloy wheels and front fog lights, among other things.

The biggest difference between the new and the old model, in our opinion, is the improvement in cabin quality and presentation. The soft-touch materials on the dash and doors, combined with the classy instrument layout, are a step up.

The ''mouse fur'' roof lining has been replaced by amore technical (and less furry) pattern and the cabin ambience is closer to a Honda than a Mazda. Tyre noise is quieter than before but still merely on par with class rivals now.

Turn the key to start the car and you're treated to (if that's the word) a subtle, digital version of Mazda's advertising jingle ''zoom, zoom, zoom''. So the jingle might have got you into the dealership but now it has also found its way into your car.

We're yet to confirm with Mazda whether it can be disabled but we reckon with enough searching you could find the fuse for it somewhere under the dash.

That said, you're better off having a Mazda technician take a look at it if you want to disable the tiny tune every time the ignition is engaged.

On the media test drive of the new Mazda6 earlier this year, we experienced some electrical gremlins after an emergency stop to avoid some wallabies.

It turned out the brakes were pushed so hard the brake pedal arm was bent slightly, which meant it didn't align with the sensor that activated the brake lights.

The brakes worked fine but the brake lights remained on for the remainder of the 400km journey until eventually the car's computer detected a fault and switched off the anti-lock brakes and stability control.

A new brake pedal and a reboot of the computer solved the problem. All new Mazda6s are powered by a 2.5-litre engine, which has grown from the 2.3-litre from the previous model.

4. The Power of New Mazda6

It has a fraction more power (just three extra kilowatts) but there is a 9 per cent improvement in torque, or pulling power.

It's also more fuel efficient, sipping a claimed 8.7 litres/100km according to the fuel rating label.

That makes it the most frugal car here. However, there is a catch: it prefers the more expensive premium unleaded (minimum 95 octane). The other two cars in this test take regular.

There are two transmissions: a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with sports shift. We tested the auto.

The extra torque and the longer, wider body improve the Mazda6's driving dynamics, especially on winding roads.

On some hills the engine needs a bit of a prod to kick the auto down a gear but generally it gets on with the job.

In our laden uphill 0-100kmh test, the Mazda6 stopped the clock once at 14.9 seconds and then a Mondeo-equalling 15.5 seconds. However, the Mazda was faster to 60kmh than the Ford on both occasions (5.5 versus 6.3 seconds).

The new Mazda6 is an impressive car and Mazda fans will no doubt be queuing up for the new one.

It's not the cheapest of this trio but it has a couple of differences: metallic paint is a no-cost option (it's up to $A350 extra on the other cars) and Mazda's warranty is three years and unlimited kilometres - handy for anyone likely to exceed 100,000km in three years.

Related Posts by Categories