- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.5i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
138kW, 250Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 6.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Mazda 6 Touring Wagon 2018 Review
Mazda has more SUVs options than most, from its city-sized CX-3 to its big family hauling CX-9.
But it also has a pretty convincing alternative to those high-riders with its updated Mazda6 wagon.
Traditional station wagons may be considered a little daggy among the suburbs these days, but the Japanese car maker has retained a sense of style within its mid-sized sedan and wagon range.
Mazda considers the newly-arrived 2018 Mazda6 as an all-new model - much like it did with the CX-5 last year - and there are some significant differences that lend some justification to the claim, although there is also a clear essence of familiarity about it too.
While the design is clearly an evolutionary update, it looks classier with a revised front bumper that features a deeper grille peppered by an intricate mesh pattern that has taken obvious inspiration from Mercedes-Benz, a lower rear bumper with revised exhaust outlets and new-look alloy wheel designs.
Under the skin, the biggest news is the adoption of the 2.5-litre turbo charged four-cylinder motor from the CX-9 while the cabin has been thoroughly modified with a new dash design, greater use of premium materials and wider, comfier seats.
- Classy interior presentation
- Significantly improved noise suppression
- Smooth and refined driving character
- Base-level engine outpaced by new turbo
- No smartphone mirroring tech
Is it right for me?
The Mazda6 is among the more popular models in the well-populated mid-sized sedan segment.
The wagon in particular offers a more dynamic driving character than an SUV, as well as lower fuel consumption, while retaining a flexible, spacious cabin that is well-suited to modern families.
While it doesn't have the same degree of adventure as a mildly-capable soft roader, or the commanding view of the road ahead, the 6 wagon is still a Jack of all trades with excellent on-road manners, a spacious cabin and a genuine sense of affordable luxury.
Can I afford it ?
We're testing the Mazda6 Wagon in Touring specification, which is the next step-up from the entry-level Sport grade.
It costs $37,990 (plus on-road costs) with the 2.5-litre petrol motor, which is $600 cheaper than its predecessor despite a host of new features among the upgrade, but it can also be had with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel for $40,990 (plus on-roads).
The wagon body style commands a $1300 premium over the sedan, making it slightly more affordable than an equivalent CX-5 SUV.
What do you get for your money?
All Mazda6 variants come well equipped with LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert on top conveniences such as dual-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch colour display with sat nav, a reverse camera, digital radio, Bluetooth and embedded audio apps such as Stitcher and Aha.
The Touring specification builds on the base level with electric adjustment for the front seats, black leather interior trim, keyless entry with push button start, LED daytime lights, front parking sensors and a premium 11-speaker Bose audio system.
How much does it cost to maintain?
All of Mazda's passenger car range, including the 6, are covered by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with servicing required every 12 months or 10,000km.
To keep the Mazda6 Touring maintained, service costs alternate between $308 and $336 each time you visit the dealership with the first three costing a total of at least $1021.
Is it well built?
While those that do more mileage will have to visit more often, Mazda has a solid reputation for reliability and the latest-generation 6 brings evolutionary improvements in quality and overall refinement that will only serve to enhance the ownership experience.
The engine, for starters, has been around for almost a decade and is hooked-up to a conventional six-speed automatic, a powertrain that is used in many of Mazda's cars.
The Japanese brand has created a simple matrix of machines, and avoided developing complicated technologies, since it became independent of its previous parent company Ford, which has paid dividends in terms of reliability.
What are the standout features?
One thing Mazda has been avoiding in the past though is improving cabin insulation, with previous models among the noisiest in their class.
It can no longer be accused of that any more though, as the new 6 showcases significant advances in quietness and overall refinement.
It also continues to be one of the more enjoyable cars of its type to drive, with a nice balance between comfort and handling thanks to positive steering and good compliance in the suspension settings.
What does it have that others don't?
While it doesn't have any ground-breaking technologies or trinkets, everything is beautifully integrated to make the 6 a classy car to live with everyday - and one that genuinely stretches into luxury territory, even at this level.
How practical is it?
Obviously, the uniquely practical aspect of the Mazda6 wagon is the wagon bit at the back, making it a viable alternative to a modern SUV.
Interestingly, the wagon rides on a shorter wheelbase than the sedan and is fractionally shorter in overall length too. Neither of those measurements hinder its ability to carry a load and a small family at the same time though.
In fact, the 6 wagon is just as spacious as a CX-5 with as much legroom in the back seats and more cargo carrying capacity in the boot, which measures 506L (60L more than the CX-5) up to the handy cargo blind which automatically rises when opening the rear tailgate.
It also has more space for larger items when the 60:40 split fold rear bench is folded flat, expanding to 1648L.
Is it comfortable?
There's a lot to like about the updated Mazda6's cabin, which features a new-look dash, higher-quality materials and new seats.
The former has like a simple T-bar design with a horizontal section in the middle that runs the length of the dash and separates the upper and lower sections. The air vents at either end are beautifically intricate with the brushed-alloy surround flowing around the edges and piercing into the door panel.
The multimedia screen is now perched on top of the dash - following the trend - rather than being recessed into the panel as before, which not only looks nicer it lowers the rest of the dash for better vision. Mazda's MZD system, however, is really showing its age as it is slow to start-up and process inputs and misses out on smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.
Overall, it's a well executed interior upgrade that while looking familiar actually feels a step above its predecessors, thanks in part to greater use of higher-quality materials with sections of the centre console now covered in soft touch leather.
Easy in, easy out?
The new front seats also add to that feeling with wider cushions, thicker padding and more shapely back rests. It's a nice place to sit, with plenty of adjustment in the driving position, clear part-digital instruments, a myriad of controls on the thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and good vision out of the glass house.
Even though it sits lower than an SUV, it's easy to get into the cabin with wide-opening doors and large apertures.
Once inside, there is decent headroom in both the front and rear seats and enough legroom in the back to suit most families.
The lower ride height does make it easier to load heavy items into the boot, which is more than big enough to handle weekly shopping duties, weekend sporting activities and regular family getaways.
Space and versatility?
Once inside, there is decent headroom in both the front and rear seats and enough legroom in the back to suit most families.
The lower ride height does make it easier to load heavy items into the boot, which is more than big enough to handle weekly shopping duties, weekend sporting activities and regular family getaways.
There's also rear air conditioning vents and plenty of power outlets - either USB or 12V sockets - to keep mobile devices charged.
The dash has great small item storage spaces too, with a large binnacle at the base of the centre stack, a covered console with soft padding that's nice to lean your elbow on when driving, decent door pockets and a new centre arm rest in the rear seats with covered cupholders.
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What's the engine like?
The 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder motor is one of the most advanced yet simple engines around. While it retains a larger-than-average capacity, and doesn't have the turbo charger available in higher-grade models, it features Mazda's latest SkyActiv fuel saving technologies and further refinements.
With a high-pressure direct fuel injection system and a high 13:1 compression ratio, the engine produces outputs of 140kW at 6000rpm and 252Nm at 4000rpm - 2kW and 2Nm more than before.
While those figures aren't terribly heroic and suggest the engine needs to be worked hard to deliver its best - considering its maximum torque isn't available until two-thirds through the rev range - the numbers don't tell the whole story, as the Mazda6 feels spritely enough off the line with good initial pick-up when you depress the accelerator.
It has also been tuned to deliver a smooth power delivery from low in the rev range that makes it feel effortless to drive when trundling around the suburbs. But the high-tech internals allow it to sing towards the redline too, giving it a feel good factor when driven enthusiastically.
How much fuel does it consume?
None of that is new, or has changed dramatically, since Mazda introduced the SkyActiv-G engine in 2008.
What has been added as part of this update is a cylinder deactivation function that shuts down two cylinders under light-throttle applications to further increase its fuel efficiency.
As a result, the Mazda6 Touring Wagon has a claimed average consumption of 7.0L/100km, which is, interestingly, 0.4L/100km more than before, partly owing to the fact it weighs 100km heavier than its predecessor.
Is it enjoyable to drive?
This is the type of car that really asks the question why you'd need an SUV as a family car.
It does everything a CX-5 can do - apart from having the added ground clearance and all-wheek drive traction for mild off-roading - but is much nicer to drive, and to live with.
That it actually has more boot space further muddies the waters.
In any case, the 6 wagon is a classy, comfortable, refined, and now supremely quiet machine that is in some ways a Jack of all trades yet a master of none.
At its core, it lives up to Mazda's Zoom Zoom tagline with great dynamic qualities such as positive and well weighted steering, solid brake feel and compliant suspension that also sits flat in the corners.
Thanks to Mazda's largely invisible G-Vectoring Control system, which controls the engine's torque output in relation to steering inputs, it feels sure-footed in the bends and doesn't exhibit the tendency to torque steer under heavy acceleration that is normally inherent in front-wheel drive cars.
That the engine is smooth and willing to rev makes it both an effortless long-distance cruiser, an easy car to whip around the suburbs in and also more enjoyable than most mid-sized sedans on a back country blast.
The six-speed automatic contributes in all of those situations, swapping cogs smoothly and intuitively to keep the engine in the sweet spot whatever the scenario.
Does it perform as you expect?
All in all, the Mazda6 Touring wagon is a sensible family car that deserves to be more popular than it is. It isn't a daggy station wagon, and, in some ways, is a smarter choice than an equivelant SUV.
It is classy to look at, comfortable to drive, safe as houses, spacious and flexible inside and presents with a degree of luxury that is beyond its badge and pricetag.
Anyone shopping for a suburban SUV would be just as smart to consider it.