2008 Mazda6 Review
February 26, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Xenon Headlamps for clear as day night driving, Dual Zone Climate that is quiet and very effective, Paddle Shift Activematic Gearbox that’s smooth and always poised ready for you next move, Front and Side Airbags, Bose® 240 watt six stack CD audio system with steering wheel controls and Blackout style instrument cluster lit in Mazda’s trademark Blue and Red.
Like I said, it’s a good deal. It makes you feel that you’ve spent your money wisely and returns something few other cars can for the price – a grin. But still, if it drives like you’re trying to herd cats then what’s the point.
Fortunately the new 6 has lost none of its credibility here. Based on the same underpinnings as the Mondeo you know the force is strong with this one. It’s flat, settled, secure and holds the road brilliantly – almost better than it should. I’d stop short of saying nimble but it’s certainly capable and sorted.
It rides well too, is comfortable, a lot quieter than the previous 6 and swallows all but the largest of troughs with utter confidence. The suspension is a pleasant blend of handling and comfort that too many manufacturers seem to struggle in achieving.
Braking is strong, progressive and comes with the usual run of abbreviations to make certain you’ve got some technology on-board. ABS, EBA, EBD – three things you’d almost expect as standard of any car these days.
So it handles, it stops and it’s a comfy ride… but does it go? Well, if by go you mean hammer, then no. But hey, it’s a family car and what it manages to do with the rather modest power figures is actually quite clever.
Motivated by an all new 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine managing a semi respectable 125kW and 226Nm the 6’s performance, though hardly likely to tear a hole in the space-time continuum, is nonetheless capable, sinuous and free-revving thanks to precision tuned VVT.
The engine sounds spirited and healthy, no NVH up top and no messy struggling in the lower reaches. It works in perfect harmony with the Activematic five speed auto to keep things moving with silky fluidity and thanks to the little paddle shift controls behind the steering wheel, can motivate things a little more hurriedly when required.
GOOD CHOICE MARK, BUYING A MAZDA IS A LOT MORE SPECIAL THAN A BUYING A TOYOTA, AT LEAST YOU WON’T FEEL LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING AN OVERRATED LEASED FLEET CAR.
GO MAZDA !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Car Fan is spot on! I want to replace my 2006 Mazda6 Luxury Sport with a new car this year. I waited expectantly for the new model which would no doubt feature Satnav, Integrated Bluetooth, Keyless Entry, Rain Sensing Wipers etc. How wrong I was, and I told the salesman that unless Mazda upped their game and made more upmarket features available, I would be off to Lexus, or Mercedes, or Audi. The next Honda Euro will have all this and more, and there is also a new Liberty this year too. Mazda must understand that as buyers become more affluent, they want cutting edge features now, not “hand me downs” in a couple of years. While Mazda’s new 6 is now available in Europe with Bi-Xenons for example, we are finally getting low beam xenons here in the lux sport model only. Yes, the old high spec Mazda 6 MPS did also get low beam xenons, but never in the 6 in Australia until now. What about adaptive cruise control? Reversing camera? Auto dimming mirrors? Where are they? Why even Mondeo gets a driver’s knee bag and keyless entry on XR5. Come on Mazda Australia, I’ve had two Mazda 6’s (classic hatch first then luxury sport) and a string of other Mazda product over 25 years. I’m going to jump ship this year unless things change soon though.
I had a look at the new Mazda 6 and I like the new exterior styling and finish but when it comes to the interior to be honest it’s not that wonderful. The increase in size makes it more of a full size sedan than before. Its body is no longer as low slung as before and even if it’s lighter and more powerful it certainly doesn’t look it, the “Sportiness” has definitely been diluted. The seating position is excellent as it is in most mazdas. However you can’t feel the edges of the car as much as you could in the previous model. The interior trim is very ordinary and the last Mazda 626 had a better level of plushness. The rear parcel shelf in the sedan isn’t even carpeted, its hard plastic in two very obvious halves. The hatch version has a better moving parcel shelf even if its not as solid. The door trim is very very ordinary when it comes to where it meets the frame. What happened to the padded door trim of the 90’s and early 2000’s its all hard and straight endged, no moulding it’s all straight cut.
The Bad:
Its no longer “mid size” the sportiness is definitely diluted and the interior from the door trim back the interior trim quality is very ordinary.
The Good:
External styling and paint finish excellent.
Boot space and interior space is huge.
Seats are comfy and driving position are excellent as usual from Mazda.
A Mondeo is still better looking, better to drive, and has a MUCH better interior. In fact, this is where Mazda has still to match the opposition. Like the previous 6, this new one has plastics that really aren’t up to stratch with it’s competitors (Mondeo, 407, 159, S40/S60 etc) and the design is a little elementary.
In the latest Wheels Magazine (June 2008), the Mazda 6 was matched against the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord 2.4 and a Skoda. The Mazda 6 won easily.
Just checked out the new mazda 6.First of all I prefer the hatch rather than the sedan. The hatch also had a lot of room in the boot. The look of the car is just bloody awsome, and when opening the door, having a seat and then shutting the door – its just amazing. The door feels extremely solid. The plastic/rubbers (excl the glovebox lid) were just superb. The glovebox lid was a little bit of a let down. The car is just amazing, the only let down was the engine. By no means was it crap, it just wasn’t great. When times comes around to update my car, this one will be high on the list.
Both the Mazda 6 and Honda Euro are horrid noisy little buzz boxes,the only worse car I have driven recently is the VE Commodore 6’s but at least it didn’t feel like I was squashed into a sardine can. I’ll stick to my Maxima thank you
Told today that Mazda 6 is arriving with Sat Nav option built in as of September.
Still deciding between the 6 and the Accord Euro, both top of the range and fully optioned.
Euro slightly nicer to drive (maybe just the seats?) but touch and go.
Must point out that performance is not a high marker for me, in to comfort and features over sprint capability.
I’m a new 6 Wagon owneer and ultimately my choice came down to either the 6 or Mondeo (hatch)
I chose the 6 for a variety of reasons
1. The 6 came in wagon form
2. The 6’s dynamics were superior to the Mondeo- as you would expect in a heavier and sluggish car (Mondeo)
3. The interior fit and finish was superior to the Mondeo- even car publications like Dog and Lemon guide confirm this
4. The previous Mondeo was plauged with electrical problems in Europe, whilst the previous 6 was seen as best in class.
5. Resale is superior (so far, but it should continue to be so)
6. Made in Japan Vs Made in Belgium. nuff said
7. The 6 Has Karakuri seats
8. This is a shocking design fault in the Mondeo (Hatch)- whenever it rains the tailgate collects water like a bucket and when you open the boot it DRENCHES you.
Also I don’t understand why people are comparing an XR5 with the Luxury. Of course the XR5 will be faster and stronger ITS GOT A BLOODY 5 CYLINDER TURBO under the bonnet
Brilliant styling for a low end premium saloon. Will Mazda make/import a MPS version of the new 6?
Neo Utopia: “Brilliant styling for a low end premium saloon. Will Mazda make/import a MPS version of the new 6?”
The previous generation Mazda6 had backing from Mazda US (and I believe Mazda Aus) to go ahead and make an MPS model; which sold well in the US. But since Mazda US decided to build “its” 6 on a different platform and then supersize it to a physically larger size (and also much larger engine; it receives the Cyclone V6) that kills off any chance for the rest of the world with the ‘proper’ 6 to get an MPS version.
Mazda cites lack of sales volume to justify homologation costs etc.
Only looks good in top spec (luxo/sport variants) and the low models look average. Too dopey looking with that fat rear. Good car, though I would go for the new Accord Euro.
“Also I don’t understand why people are comparing an XR5 with the Luxury. Of course the XR5 will be faster and stronger ITS GOT A BLOODY 5 CYLINDER TURBO under the bonnet”
because they are in the same class, and are the “flagship” offerings of both brands, base models the 6 is better i think too, but the XR5 is better over the luxury 6, i think mazda plan to put fords duratc 37 in the 6 to replace the MPS in 2009. (open to correction) be god if we get it
But good job mazda it is a good lookin car.
Had my Mazda 6 luxury for just over a month now. Love it to bits! The only…ONLY…things I have found thusfar I dislike is the tiny glove box (unlike the Mazda 3’s which you can slide a coffin into!) and the lighted makeup mirror on the drivers sunvisor…(encouraging bad habits??)
otherwise, handles well, comfortable, good ergonomics, instrumentation..and it looks hot !! (I got the Copper Red)…and the Bose stereo is awesome!!!
I have owned the Mazda 6 sports now for 10 months. It is the best car I have ever driven. I still cant get over how good it looks. I am surprised of some comments that it is not good value. My car was supplied with reverse park sensors, xenon headlights with washers, full leather trim, electric seats, 5 speed auto with manual mode,sunroof and a fabulous Bose sound system. And all for well under $50K. I call this great value. Keep it up Mazda.
The new Mazda 6
this is a beautiful Model
I have just purchased a brand spanking new mazda 6 classic hatch (2008) with 5 kilometres on clock for $30000 drive away..i note people are comparing the mondeo turbo to the above ..it may be a nice car .. and go a bit better than the 6 and so on but ford dont match the build quality of mazda ..or at least havent in previous years hence the market value for resale ..ive owned many ford both in uk and in oz and from previous experience i wont buy another..however !! i do understand that they are raising their game ..they have had to to survive ! .. hyundia and the like were all catching them up and passing them in looks .. performance and almost build quility ..ive just sold my ssv ve commy to buy this maz 6 so yes i am downgrading but im happy just to stop the rot in market value alone .. both holden and ford share that unfortunateley ..no matter what model you buy.. and its goin to take more than a mondeo or a cruze to take that away .. your going to loose dollars .. mazda however have always had a reasonably good resale value and over the past couple of years it has improved more so ..the mondeo was alway a bit of a mundane car over in europe ( bit like the commodore in oz) people bought them coz they were reasonabley priced .. and for all you turbo lovers .. its only recently australia has had the ford turbo ( ie focus)
its been around for years overseas so its not anything groundbreaking .. i do like the look of the new mondeo ..externally, but for me the interior looks bloody awfull , but thats just me !! that appeals to some people that like chromed rimmed plastic .. so to cap it all off i would say the mondeo may be cheaper and go harder..but build qaulity ..looks .. and resale the mazda has the edge.. when its time for a change you will make up the difference on trade or sell … anyway im happy that ive saved nearly $8000 off the original price just by waiting a bit and buying last years build .. i am a bit confused at the minute though as the manual says it has rain sensing wipers and so does the mazda website ..but i havent been out in the rain yet so i wouldnt know , unless thats only just been introduced on the 2009 models ..maybe someone can throw some light onto that .. anyway ..happy motoring all : ))