2010 Mazda6 revision details released

By Matt Brogan | March 17th, 2010

Since its introduction in 2002, the Mazda6 has sold more than 1.8 million units in 80 countries around the globe — including 85,000 in Australia — and has received more than 160 motoring awards from key markets that include Australia Canada, China, Germany, Japan and the United States.

Today, the new Mazda6 evolves the nameplate yet again with design improvements and equipment upgrades certain to see the popular model maintain its position as one of Australia’s most highly regarded cars.

The new Mazda6 shares the same ‘bold and exquisite’ design concept as displayed in the previous model but is now enhanced to provide what Mazda say is “a stronger impression of dynamism and sportiness”.

Outside, Mazda’s new family identity is reflected in changes to the front fascia and grille, which is also used to differentiate model grades. Headlamp and fog lamp designs have also been refined while aerodynamics are improved thanks to the addition of plate-type front tyre deflectors. The new Mazda6 also incorporates newly designed 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior refinement has also been improved with refreshed trim decoration now featuring an increased use of chrome-plated and piano-black surfaces. Seat upholstery has been updated while the instrumentation panel and centre displays have been made easier to read. Mazda have also revised the steering wheel switches for more intuitive operation.

Mechanical changes include tweaks to the suspension system and steering, the introduction of Hill Launch Assist on all manual models and the adoption of a smaller turbocharger on MZR-CD (diesel) 2.2-litre engines for better acceleration response.

The Mazda6 range will continue to be offered with a choice of four-cylinder MZR 2.5-litre petrol and MZR-CD 2.2-litre diesel engines.

Safety equipment levels remain unchanged with six airbags, ABS braking and Dynamic Stability Control included as standard across the Mazda6 range. All Mazda6 models achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Mazda Australia expects to sell an average of around 680 units per month. Pricing and range highlights are included below:

Mazda6 Limited (sedan from $27,310*)

2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
Six-speed manual or five-speed Activematic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Air-conditioning, cruise control, MP3-compatible CD-player with four speakers, aux-in jack for MP3 player, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel and variable intermittent wipers, 16-inch steel wheels with 205/60 tyres, chrome exhaust extensions, body kit with front and rear aero bumpers and side skirts
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Emergency Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Hill Launch Assist (HLA) (manual only), front, side and curtain SRS airbags, active front head restraints

Mazda6 Classic (sedan from $31,750*; hatch from $32,750*; wagon from $35,050*)

2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
Six-speed manual (sedan and hatch) or five-speed Activematic transmissionMazda6 Limited equipment plus auto headlamps on/off, Bluetooth® phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel, wipers with rain sensing function, MP3 compatible six-disc in-dash CD player with six speakers, steering wheel mounted audio controls, trip computer with current and average fuel consumption, fuel range, average speed and speed alert
Newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 tyres and front fog lamps

Mazda6 Diesel (wagon from $36,250*)

2.2-litre in-line four-cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled turbodiesel engine with 132kW and 400Nm
Six-speed manual transmission
Equivalent equipment level to Mazda6 Classic

Mazda6 Touring (wagon from $38,120*)

2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
Five-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Classic equipment plus leather seat trim, seats (front) with three-position memory function and eight-way power adjustment (driver) and four-way power adjustment (passenger), parking sensors (front and rear)

Mazda6 Luxury (sedan from $40,905*)

2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
Five-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Touring equipment plus: sports grille, blackout instrument cluster, leather wrapped gearshift knob, paddle shift gear control, power sliding and tilt glass sun-roof, rear view mirror with auto dimming function, premium Bose® 240 watt amplifier with eight speakers, LED rear lamps, xenon headlamps

Mazda6 Luxury Sports (hatch from $41,415*)

2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
Six-speed manual or five-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Luxury equipment plus rear spoiler, aluminium pedals and footrest, bi-xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), updated 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres

Mazda6 Diesel Sports (hatch from $42,815*)

2.2-litre in-line four-cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled turbodiesel engine with 132kW and 400Nm
Six-speed manual transmission
Equivalent equipment level to Mazda6 Luxury Sports without power sliding and tilt glass sun-roof

Satellite Navigation Option ($2800*)

Available on Luxury, Luxury Sports and Diesel Sports models only
Seven-inch touch-screen satellite navigation integrating Whereis® Sensis maps, Bluetooth (hands-free compatible), Bluetooth audio (MP3 player compatible)
Controlled by either touch-screen or voice

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road or statutory charges.

Mazda6 Range Highlights

Mazda6 Limited

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) from $27,310 (sedan)
2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
6-speed manual or 5-speed Activematic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Air-conditioning, cruise control, MP3-compatible CD-player with four speakers, AUX-in jack for MP3 player, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel and variable intermittent wipers
16-inch steel wheels with 205/60 tyres,
Chrome exhaust extensions
Body kit with front and rear aero bumpers and side skirts
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Emergency Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Hill Launch Assist (HLA) (manual only), front, side and curtain SRS airbags, active front head restraints
Mazda6 Classic

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) from $31,750 (sedan), $32,750 (hatch), $35,050 (wagon)
2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
6-speed manual (sedan and hatch) or 5-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Limited equipment plus:

Auto headlamps on/off, Bluetooth® phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel, wipers with rain sensing function, MP3 compatible six-disc in-dash CD player with six speakers, steering wheel mounted audio controls
Trip computer with current and average fuel consumption, fuel range, average speed and speed alert
Newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 tyres and front fog lamps
Mazda6 Diesel

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) $36,250 (wagon)
2.2-litre in-line four-cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled turbodiesel engine with 132kW and 400Nm
6-speed manual transmission
Equivalent equipment level to Mazda6 Classic

Mazda6 Touring

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) $38,120 (wagon)
2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
5-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Classic equipment plus:

Leather seat trim, seats (front) with 3-position memory function and 8-way power adjustment (driver) and 4-way power adjustment (passenger), parking sensors (front and rear)
Mazda6 Luxury

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) $40,905 (sedan)
2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
5-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Touring equipment plus:

Sports grille
Blackout instrument cluster, leather wrapped gearshift knob, paddle shift gear control, power sliding and tilt glass sun-roof, rear view mirror with auto dimming function, premium Bose® 240 watt amplifier with 8 speakers, LED rear lamps, Xenon headlamps
Mazda6 Luxury Sports

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) from $41,415 (hatch)
2.5-litre in-line four cylinder 16 valve DOHC petrol engine with 125kW and 226Nm
6-speed manual or 5-speed Activematic transmission
Mazda6 Luxury equipment plus:

Rear spoiler
Aluminium pedals and footrest, bi-Xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front-lighting system (AFS),
Updated 18 inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tyres
Mazda6 Diesel Sports

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) $42,815 (hatch)
2.2-litre in-line four-cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled turbodiesel engine with 132kW and 400Nm
6-speed manual transmission
Equivalent equipment level to Mazda6 Luxury Sports with:
No power sliding and tilt glass sun-roof

Satellite Navigation Option

Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) $2,800
Available on Luxury, Luxury Sports and Diesel Sports models only
7-inch touch-screen satellite navigation integrating:
Whereis® Sensis maps
Bluetooth (hands-free compatible)
Bluetooth audio (MP3 player compatible)
Controlled by either touch-screen or voice

vid_ghost

Not much has changed! just s small facelift! meh! Still no Auto with the Diesel… Not good enough Mazda.. bring us some new Sky-D and Sky-G Engines ASAP

CJ

More of an update than the VE Commodore that has been on sale since ’06. At least it is a facelift. Try picking a ’06 and ’10 Ve apart in the carpark!

Andrew

Also exhasuts, oh and the avaliablitly of a pontiac front end.

The reason why they don’t need to change it is becasue people are still buying, it doens’t look old at all.

Robin of Locksley

When will mitsubishi release a competitor to the Mazda6? After the complete failure of the 360 surely they can release another solara! The solara was a great car and I think it would easily compete with the 6 and increase mitsubishi\’s reputation in Australia!

bulldogs

U mean to say mitsubishi 380

TSI

I’ll pick mazda diesel wagon over camry hybrid in the same price. a bit better fuel but much more power and fun… also the interior look far better than camry…
Classic

Mazda’s decision making sometimes leaves me slightly bewildered. I am really keen on the diesel sports hatch, but for some unknown reason they decide to omit the sunroof – it’s not even an option. On a ‘sports’ hatch it is ridiculous that they don’t offer it.

same deal with the CX7 diesel. The potential to option your vehicle of choice at Mazda is very limited, which is damn annoying.

dlunn64

sunroof in mazda 6 just robs headroom, better off without it. people over 180cm bang head on roof with 6′s with sunroof but not on those without.
Classic still has crook seats according to this – they don’t angle in the base like the electric seats on the upper spec models.

Classic

I don’t agree – I owned the previous model Luxury sports model and it wasn’t an issue. And it wouldn’t be an issue in the CX7. It should at the very least be an option.

MazMagic

vid_ghost: The Sky-G etc will be on the third generation models. This is the 2nd Generation Model.

Robin of Locksley: I don’t think Mitsubishi is as sporty as Mazda (except for Evo etc). But I also wonder why the 380 was a flop and there was nothing wrong with them and actually look quite good. I think FWD might have something to do with it….

Really speaking, nothing to crow about. Would really like to see Bose avaliable as an option on classic models etc…. Also, Sat Nav SHOULD be standard but there are people like me who think Sat Nav is a waste of time anyway. Plus, I would like to see some options that are in Europe avaliable here.

Good, but expected more………
XYZ

Mazda should have included GPS as standard on the top end models, to make it more competitive and to be consistent with the Mazda 3.
Alexander

Are the any improvements to it’s fuel effieicency/emissions?
Stig’s Australian Uncle

Mazmagic – what do you mean “except for the Evo?”
That is a pretty big exclusion.
Adam

That dash/steering wheel combo is Buttonfest 9000.
Jimmy James

STILL NO AUTO AND DIESEL COMBO!!!!!

What a joke!
Fiesta ECOnetic

43k for diesel sports, i would rather the sat nav inc then the sunroof.
Kris

I’ll be interested to see how the diesel drives with the smaller turbocharger. My biggest complaint with the current one is not the fact that it’s manual only, but it has a heap of turbo lag. The smaller hair dryer should hopefully make a big difference here. Nice interior as usual and well equipped, the 6 should sell solidly.
Wayne Kerr

A cool looking car like a Mazda6 deserves more powerful engine options, e.g. the 3.7L V6 they have in the States or the turbo 2.3L in the MPS.
Kim

Why is it that Mazda and Subaru don’t want to put automatics with Diesels. No auto no sale.

Sunny

Diesel engines are more tourqy and thats why you need better gearboxes for them.

Both mazda and subaru continue to use their old gearbox designs thats why they can’t deliver diesel and auto combo.

I still think that Subaru may come out with Diesel + CVT option first

Wife owns sport lux but I think mazda needs to start offering better engine of higher models or offer satnavs as standard is they want o compete with Liberty Sport Lux.

Kris

Mazda will have a 6 speed auto for the Sky-D engine in 2012. The Sky-D will reportedly use around 4.0L per 100km.

Mad Max

The main reason is that diesel passenger cars are not popular in Japan or the USA plus most passenger cars sold in Europe are manuals The Japanese manufacturers don’t put the development effort into autos to take the high torque levels needed for diesel engines.

Valet Dabess

for some strange reason i miss that huge smile

Sunny

LOL!

Richard C

I hate to say it but as good as this car is, the new Hyundai Sonata (i45) which comes out in a few months, will be better in every way. Direct injection, 6 speed auto, 150 kW. The only thing the Mazda might offer is better handling and a sportier ride, but personally I prefer comfort (and I think most mid size sedan buyers are looking for that rather than sportiness). After all, most of these cars are used as family vehicles, or commuting vehicles.
ABMPSV

For me Skoda Wagon diesel auto is a better choice. It cost only $1000 more than Mazda manual. Size of the car is nearly same few mm here and there. Mazda engine bigger so it has more power and Nm. So if you after auto wagon go for Skoda.
Simon

Mazda – I’ll give you a winning formula.
Release a 6 wagon with AWD and MPS Engine.
Put a sticker of mid to high 40s on it.
I will put my deposit down tomorrow!

Gan Tan

Amen brother!
Give the Liberty GT a bloody nose

filippo

There is little point in Mazda matching a diesel to an auto box just for the Aus/NZ market. In the US and Japan they prefer petrols and in Europe – where diesels are big – it’s only really the elderly and disabled who choose automatics.

Al Juraj

People choose autos because of the luxury of not having to shift gears. During tough times, some of us don’t appreciate having to put up with a clutch going to and from work. Modern autos are starting to match, if not surpass their stickshift counterparts in performance and/or economy, and many of them are very robust they may run as long as the vehicle’s life, while manuals require periodic clutch disc replacements.

I still love shifting on my own, but it’s only appreciated in cars that are meant to perform, and diesels such as this one aren’t intended for that.

filippo

Al Juraj I think you missed my point. All I’m saying is that Australia is a small market – too small to justify developing a diesel/auto combo that could push the 6 into a price bracket that people are not willing to pay.

cocnut wireless

it is too much to ask for USB/IPOD integration in the audio system… even kia and hyundia provide that in their most basic cars..
ross

whats with the high waist and the dopey alloys all the time ?

Johnny G

You need to get a new wife, mate.

Mark

Just picked up my 2010 6 diesel wagon to replace my 2006 model diesel. 2010 model is much quieter and smoother, has a little less turbo lag and the acceleration from 80km/h upwards in 4th gear is phenomenal. One of the main reasons I purchased the diesel wagon was the manual transmission, I can’t understand why people want an auto in such a ‘drivers’ car. Go and buy and cardigan and a Camry if you want an Auto.
Johnny G

Couldn’t agree more, Mark. These people that keep going on about auto boxes…. Apart from VW group’s DSG, the rest are pretty much crap and you might as well buy a old farts scooter.

DSG would be great in this car, but cost would rise $2k+. Personally, I like the direct feedback from a manual (in heavy traffic too), you have to remember that a diesel manual in slow traffic doesn’t need to be changed much as it has so much torque. Just keep it in first & it’s fine. Second thing is this thing absolutely flies- the control and downshifts you get on corners is truly great. Best car I’ve owned in a long time. Vive le Manual.
Peter

A question for those that know about Diesel Engines: why would this latest “facelift” of the 6′s mean the Diesel Sports losing an exhaust pipe? It’s pre-face-lift counterpart had two, it now only has one (right side only) with a plastic cap over the hole where the car template (rear plastic spoiler) normally accommodates the second exhaust- LOOKS RATHER ODD AND NOT VERY SPORTY!