Mazda6 facelift for Australia

By Matt Brogan | January 27th, 2010

On the 26th of January Caradvice reported that the Japanese version of the Mazda6 would receive a facelift, it has now been confirmed by Mazda Australia that our Mazda6 will receive the same facelift and upgrades, as well as an all new Touring wagon.

The exterior upgrades follow the rest of the Mazda range with the signature ‘family face’, more in line with the CX-7 than the Mazda3, a new design for the front headlights, taillights and alloy wheels help refresh the look of the Mazda6.

Mazda6 is the only medium sized car in Australia to offer a choice of three body styles, sedan, hatch and wagon. The all new Touring wagon offers leather and is a step up in luxury from the standard Classic wagon.

Engines remain the same, the 2.5 litre petrol and the 2.2 litre turbodiesel with class leading torque of 400Nm with fuel economy of 5.9 litres per 100km.

si1982

guys, ur article says that Mazda 6 is the only mid size in Aus to offer three body styles … what about Ford Mondeo?

o

ford no longers brings the sedan

o

interesting how the oz version doesnt have the indicators in the wing mirrors
jimmy james

Where is the auto gearbox for the diesel?

Surely a touring wagon with the diesel and an auto would drive itself out of showrooms!!!!

Good grief Mazda, get your act together!!!!!

mmmmmmmmmm

can you please say that LOUDER,
Mazda Australia can be a little hard of hearing at times.
Just like an auto for the diesel CX-7 or even the diesel 3.
Wake up Mazda

Myke

It’s not Mazda Australia’s fault, its a global thing. There is no auto option available for the diesel anywhere, due to a lack of demand for an auto-box in Europe and the fact that Mazda can’t find a suitable auto to cope with the amount of torque. I think Ford’s new PowerShift DCT found in the Focus, would do nicely though

Mad Max

Why can’t Mazda (minority owned by Ford) use the same auto box that Ford use in the Diesel Mondeo?
Safety First

Mike the rest of the oil burners have had auto options for ages… Peugeot, VW, Mercedes et al give you the option, whilst Mondeo is (to some peoples disgust!) is 6 speed Auto only… I am led to believe that the 6 speed Aisin box would easily handle the Torque of the Mazda, it was behind the TRD Aurion and works very nicely with the Mondeo….
Dlr1

The concept of a “lack of demand for an auto box in europe” is an outdated notion. If that were truly the case no one would be selling them, or go to the trouble of designing and manufacturing them. Yes the European market does have a higher share of manual sales compared to the rest of the world, but particularly when you look at larger vehicles like the Mazda 6, VW passat, Ford Mondeo, BMW 5 series ect you have a significantly higher proportion of sales of Automatics. It may not be the case with smaller cars like the Focus, Clio, polo or similar, but a car this size should be available with an auto option. Very lazy Mazda, very lazy.

Classic

Maybe you’re lazy for needing to drive with an auto?

Just kidding – I know, it doesn’t make sense not to offer an auto as an option, but really, it’s hardly an issue worth this much blog traffic is it?
Myke

Mazda is a much smaller company than Peugeot, Volkswagen, Ford etc. and sell fewer vehicles than their rivals, especially in Europe. A lack of demand for an autobox maybe an ‘outdated notion’ in Australia or the US, but it is not the case in Europe and considering Mazda’s diesels are primarily for Europe, it explains why there is no auto option available on any diesel engine.

This manual-only notion for diesel cars in Europe, doesn’t just apply to Mazda but other car companies aswell: Toyota/Lexus, Honda, Subaru etc. It is probably one of the main reason we don’t see a lot of Japanese car companies selling diesel passenger vehicles in Australia. I’m sure with an autobox, the Lexus IS220d and the Accord Euro diesel would sell well in Australia.

themarvel

Learn to drive stick?? Just a thought

http://www.caradvice.com.au OSU811

who wants an auto anyway??? yaaaaaawwwwwnnnnnn boring no thanks!!
only for people who either cant drive or are to lazy to drive a car
and just want to steer!!

Dlr1

that sounds like the response of a newly licenced P plater. Theres more to driving than changing gears and a good auto box these days will still let you do that (tiptronic/DSG ect)

AAA

This car is not selling well.

mmmmmmmmmm

Its the top selling import in the medium class,
consistently doubling or tripling its rivals sales. Only the local camry outsells it.
It sells VERY well by the medium class standards.
AAA

… relative to the previous Mazda 6.

o

there are more entrants now aswell though and they are more competitive. When the mazda 6 launched the sonata and optima were rubbish, the accord euro wasnt out and the camry and accord were rubish. Not to forget that the mondeo is on the scene now.

mmmmmmmmmm

its down around 15% on the pervious average
the medium class is down around 20%
the 6 weathered the car sales slump far better than many other models

Fasthonda

It still looks like it was in a punch up and it lost a tooth from each side of it’s mouth.Anyway,it seems quite underpowered with the 2.5L.
The Accord Euro is still a better car in many repects.

Juan

since my wife owns one of the sport lux. I agree that accord is better car
mmmmmmmmmm

the accord is a smoother ride and has nice seats.
it is also slower than the 6 and suffers in handling.
the euro may have more kilowatts but delivers its torque latter,
you don’t have to wait for the ‘go’ in the mazda.
the new model 6 was a step forward from the old 6,
the new euro doesn’t feel improved over the old model.
the accord like all hondas suit the older buyers,
the Mazda6 is for a younger sportier driver

Mad Max

The Mazda6 also has a lot more space in the rear seat and wider rear doors for easier rear seat access things that many family car buyers are looking for. The Accord Euro is only available in sedan (the wagon is only available in Europe) and the 6 is available in sedan, hatch and wagon.

CJ

Having owned an “04 Accord Euro and an ’09 6 wagon, I would have to say you are incorrect. The Mazda has much more low down torque making it a more relaxed drive. The fit and finish is about the same. The Mazda also has much more space.
MazMagic

Accord Euro is better in one area – WCOTY aka marketing!!!!

BTW, I have driven current model 6 and it is not underpowered as one would think!

RH

Agreed – the current Mazda 6 Sports Luxury drives like a treat on the road both in busy city driving and on the freeway.

The Accord Euro is a nice car to drive (yes I did drive it) but despite WCOTY 2008 awards, the 6 is easily the nicest car in its class and price range.

Goodfa

I hope they also bring the service intervals up to 12 months or 15,000kms instead of 6 months or 10,000 kms.
Tim

IMO the old 6 looks better (in Sports Lux). This has too much stuff going on at the front and looks bloated. Either way, the Accord Euro is better.

Roman

Agree with you Tim. I think most of the ‘new’ generations of the vehicles in this segment are a bit on the bloated side and prefer the sleeker appearance of the predecessors.
Able

Pffft in what way is an Accord Euro better? It’s bloody awful to look at (you say the 6 has too much going on!? Geeze you have learning to do boy!) and it’s a one engine/one bodystyle affair. I like choice, and that’s why I like the 6 better, but I just ordered an Octavia RS so I think you know which I think is best in class

Jonty

I had a 2004 Sports Lux, and was put off buying the new one by its appearance. I also used to like the Subaru Liberty in old guise, but wouldn’t even consider the new one because of it mindboggling change in appearance.

Don’t know what car designers are doing these days in the midsize car segment, they where the best looking cars 5 years ago…
Callous Aussie

This is a very good car, Not perfect but great to look at, a nice interior and apparently nice to drive with a little too much tyre nice and a tad firm ride.

I’ll have the Honda Euro thanks. It’s not that there is anything really wrong with the mazda. It’s just that the Euro is superb for the same coin. I actually lean slightly to the Mazda for styling (in a sporty sense) however there is something classy about the Euro. Not surprised it got WCOTY last time around.

Mazda are progressive so I am guessing they will have taken note to getting the chop out of the ride a little. Should be an interesting read when it lands.
Kris

Mazda will have an auto box available when they release their new Sky engines in petrol and diesel variants. We may see them late next year or 2012 which is the annoying part.