The EFTM Garage – Mazda 6 Touring Wagon

It’s almost unanimous that Mazda are pumping out some seriously good looking cars right now. With the delightful Mazda 3 just around the corner it seems the Japanese giant are certain to maintain their sales chart success.  The impressive Mazda 6 range is again no exception and this fortnight we have both the Mazda 6 Touring and GT diesel wagons in the EFTM garage. Before our full review let us cast a quick spotlight over the mid grade Touring model.

Make: Mazda 6

Variant: Touring Wagon

Engine / Transmission: 2.2-litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled turbo diesel with i-stop and i-ELOOP. 6-speed automatic with manual mode.

Vital Stats: Power 129kW @ 4,500 rpm / 420Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Mazda Claimed Fuel Economy: 5.4l / 100km

EFTM Claimed Fuel Economy: 5.9l / 100km

MRRP Price: $41,650 (Plus on roads)

Exterior Features Highlights:

• Body coloured door handles
• Chorome exhaust extensions
• Front fog lights
• Green-tinted windows
• Halogen headlamps
• Heated power mirrors
• Rear Spoiler (Wagon only)
• Roof Rails (Wagon only)
• LED Tail lamps

Interior Features Highlights

• Keyless push-button ignition
• Dual-zone air conditioning with rear vents
• Bluetooth®
• 12 volt power outlet in cargo area
• Cargo area tonneau cover and net
• Sliding centre front armrest
• Cruise control
• Cup holders including door bottle holders
• Leather wrapped steering wheel, gear shift knob and handbrake handle
• Paddle shift gear control
• TomTom satellite navigation
• Premium Bose® 231 watt 11 speaker sound system
• USB input
• Leather seat trim with 2-position driver memory, 8-way power adjustment for driver, passenger 4-way
• 60/40 spilt flat-fold rear seat
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Dusk-sensing headlamps

Safety Highlights

• Airbags; front (driver and passenger), curtain (front and rear), side (front)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) – Hazards flash under heavy braking
• Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
• Parking sensors front and rear
• Reverse camera

Wow Factor: Undoubtedly a slick looking wagon, with a high degree of road presence particularly from front on. Mazda lead the way for affordable quality interiors, decent sound system.

Most Impressive: Diesel models are very frugal. The SKYACTIV suite of technologies equate to sub 6l / 100km figures at the pump. Handling is not as well sorted as pricer Europeans, but the ride is far more supple. The interior build gives the Europeans a fright as well.

Not So Impressive: Not the most exciting drive in history, diesel engine is a fraction more noticeable than others and could be a little more brisk. The i-stop feature is about as smooth as corrugated iron. Clunky Bluetooth® operation with annoying lag in between music tracks. By today’s standards the touchscreen display is quite small (5.8-inch)