2016 Mazda 6 gets safety update, price cuts
The 2016 Mazda 6 mid-sized sedan and wagon range is now better value than before, and safer, after the company made a suite of active and preventative anti-crash features standard across the board.
From now, every Mazda 6 variant will come with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and low-speed laser-driven forward autonomous braking.
In addition, the mid-spec Touring and the high grade GT variants also get an autonomous braking system that works in reverse, such as in driveways.
Previously, some of this equipment was optional on various Mazda 6 variants in the form of Safety Packs averaging about $1200 extra. Mazda has a habit of steadily trickling down safety equipment across its passenger car flagship.
All this means that all Mazda 6 variants now offer a closer suite of safety features to the (still more heavily-featured) flagship Atenza which, thankfully, now gets a price cut to reflect the fact its standard equipment list isn’t quite as special as before.
The 138kW/250Nm 2.5 petrol is now $1030 cheaper, while the flagship 129kW/420Nm 2.2 diesel costs $1380 less. This means that no Mazda 6 variants exceed $50,000 (plus on-roads) anymore.
This new standard equipment joins the existing safety suite fitted to all Mazda 6 variants including six airbags and a reverse-view camera. The Mazda has a five-star ANCAP rating.
In 2015, the Mazda 6 was the second top-selling ‘mainstream’ mid-sizer with 5276 sales (after the Toyota Camry fleet favourite), albeit down 10 per cent in a segment up 10 per cent. Arrivals such as the new-generation Subaru Liberty (4097, up 300 per cent) nipped at its heels.
Furthermore, it’s no secret that luxury brands are carving out a bigger chunk of mid-sized sedan and wagon sales in Australia — the Mercedes-Benz C-Class outsold the Mazda last year and the BMW 3 Series wasn’t all that far off.
Mazda has clearly decided to take it up to them with this suite of equipment.
Mazda 6 pricing (plus on-road costs):
Sedan
Sport auto 2.5 petrol $32,490
Touring auto 2.5 petrol $37,290
GT auto 2.5 petrol $42,690
Atenza auto 2.5 petrol $45,390
Touring auto 2.2 diesel $40,140
GT auto 2.2 diesel $45,540
Atenza auto 2.2 diesel $48,240
Wagon
Sport auto 2.5 petrol $33,790
Touring auto 2.5 petrol $38,590
GT auto 2.5 petrol $43,990
Atenza auto 2.5 petrol $46,690
Touring auto 2.2 diesel $41,440
GT auto 2.2 diesel $46,840
Atenza auto 2.2 diesel $49,540
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