How the 20th Anniversary Mazda6 delivers surprising luxury
You don’t have to spend six figure sums on a European prestige car to take home a truly premium driving experience.
The motoring world has changed in the decade that Mazda’s flagship sedan and wagon have been on sale.
Value
This special edition celebrates 20 years of the Mazda6 in Australia, harking back to when the brand decided its range-topping car should no longer be named the Mazda 626.
The current shape car has been on sale long enough to warrant a special edition of its own, having graced local showrooms since 2013.
It launched alongside the last Australian-made Commodore, before Tesla opened local dealerships and before utes rose to the top of the sales charts.
Priced from $53,635 plus on-road costs as a sedan or $54,935 as a wagon (about $60,000 drive-away), it costs about $5000 more than a mid-range Mazda6 Turbo.
That makes it the most expensive model in the brand’s passenger car range.
You can spot it in the traffic by looking for polished 19-inch alloys, silver-coloured badges and new Artisan Red or Rhodium White paint.
Comfort
The Mazda6 is a comfortable and polished machine, with plush seats, supple suspension and a decently quiet cabin.
Most Mazda6 models have leather trim, a sunroof, Bose stereo, head up display and other features that elevate it beyond regular sedans and wagons.
The 20th Anniversary model ramps up the luxe factor with tan-coloured soft-touch nappa leather accompanied by soft-touch faux suede trim.
Embossed front seats are heated, cooled and electrically adjustable, and the outer back seats are also cooled.
You get wireless Apple CarPlay and cordless charging in a canon that feels well-finished but decidedly dated.
The 8-inch infotainment display is not a touchscreen, the hybrid digital-analog dash looks old-school, and the myriad buttons in the centre console will please traditionalists, but put off folks who might consider something like a Tesla Model 3 – Australia’s best-selling sedan.
Safety
The Mazda6 is loaded with safety gear including front and rear auto braking, plenty of airbags and active cruise control with lane keeping assistance. High grade models add cruising and traffic support, a highway assistant feature that blends stop-and-go cruise control with steering that helps keep the car in the centre of its lane.
Driving
The Mazda6 is a peach to drive for the most part, representing a lighter and more agile alternative to more popular SUVs.
Subtle revisions to the recipe for 2923 include retuned steering and a tweak to the throttle to evoke more natural responses.
The standard six speed automatic transmission has been updated to deliver crisper shifts, and the 2.5-litre turbo motor now makes 173kW and 420Nm – 3kW more than before.
The engine is a quiet and punchy performer, though it pays to be gentle with the throttle when accelerating from a stop, as it can easily overwhelm the front tyres at low speed.
Alternatives
Subaru Outback Turbo, about $57,500 drive-away
Plush ride, a punchy WRX-derived motor and spacious cabin combine to impress.
Tesla Model 3, about $61,000 drive-away
Fast, fun to drive and more modern the Mazda, the Tesla isn’t nearly as luxurious.
Lexus ES, about $70,000 drive-away
A Japanese sedan with impressive luxury credentials, the front drive Lexus is a winner.
Verdict
A plush cabin and refined drive can’t hide the Mazda6’s age.
3 stars
Mazda6 20th Anniversary Edition
PRICE About $60,000 drive-away
WARRANTY/SERVICE 5 years/unlimited km; $1956 for 5 years/50,000km
SAFETY 6 airbags, AEB forward and reverse, active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert
ENGINE 2.5-litre 4-cyl turbo, 173kW/420Nm
THIRST 7.6L/100km
CARGO 506 litres
SPARE Space saver
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