2016 Mazda6 Review

A prime example of Mazda’s individualistic approach to making cars is the Lotus Elan-inspired MX-5/Miata two-seater roadster. In many ways, the ‘my way or the highway’ approach of the MX-5 is mirrored by the marque’s more mainstream offerings, including the updated Mazda6 sedan.

The motoring media and most consumers appreciate idiosyncrasy in an automotive world governed mostly by budgets and accountants. On the other hand, the manufacturer’s not-exactly-commonplace approach to designing a car is, likewise, Mazda’s Achilles’ heel.

Before the 6 (or Atenza as it’s called in Japan), the mid-size sedan in Mazda’s stable bore the name of 626 (or Capella in the Japanese domestic market). This model was developed to take on the likes of the Honda Accord, Nissan Bluebird and Toyota Corona, but the 626’s list of antagonists changed in 2002 when the 6 came around. As things stand now, Mazda is focusing its mid-size sedan efforts against the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo, Opel Insignia and so forth.

Since the slight change in segment competitors, the brand from the Land of the Rising Sun also stepped up its game to raise the appeal of the 6. The third-generation Mazda6 comes after two iterations that employed Ford underpinnings. In a nutshell, we’re dealing with the first 6 entirely developed by Mazda since the nameplate was born in the early Noughties.

To make ends meet and be competitive in a vehicle segment governed by brand snobbery, the engineers have thrown every little bit of know-how to make the 6 a viable proposition for first-time customers. As you will find out later in our test-drive of the 2016 Mazda6 facelift, doing things somewhat differently from the norm doesn’t necessarily help with attracting customers that would normally go for a Ford Mondeo.

The Kodo - Soul of Motion design language is a far cry from yesteryear’s Nagare aesthetics and the most obvious selling point of the Mazda6. Whereas press pics don’t make justice to the visual magnetism of the 6, simply standing six feet away from its sculptured body shell fascinates. Let me tell you something on how much charisma designers infused into the 2016 Mazda6.

Be it a BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe or a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, cars that cost six-digit figures, during our spins with these luxurious automobiles we got both the thumbs up and envy-laden looks. With the 2016 Mazda6, drivers and passersby alike reacted better upon seeing our car in traffic.

‘This is the newly-launched facelift with LEDs all over, right?’ and ‘How are the dampers set up compared to the pre-facelift?’ are just two of the questions I was asked during my time with the vehicle. Due to these encounters, I can definitely say that Mazda fans and owners are well versed in their carmaker of choice.

Exterior visual changes over the 2013 - 2015 Mazda6 are rather few yet enough to make a difference for the better. Apart from the oversized Mazda logo up front, higher-spec models such as our Revolution Top get LED-laden headlights and fog lights. Add a grey-painted front grille with metallic accents and dynamic-looking chrome bits and bobs and you ultimately get a bewitching and hard-to-forget front fascia design.

Whereas the side profile doesn’t feature any element worthy of being described as new, the rear end does feature LED stop lamps that mirror the design of the headlamps. As pointed beforehand, changes aren’t numerous but are enough to level up the appeal of the Mazda6. If there’s something worthy of complaint, I would mention that I was expecting more perceptible bangs and whistles.

The captivating design of the bodywork is carried by what you get on the inside. To sum up the first impression I got from the cabin’s cosmetics, I’ll go with pleasingly appointed trim and materials, as well as a focus on ergonomics over artfulness.

The Mazda6 Revolution Top with the optional white perforated leather seats gives that feel-good factor that's disappointingly missing from most competitors in the mid-size sedan segment. And on that bombshell, it wasn’t even a mile since I set off in my test-drive that I found the 6’s seats a bit too firm. Be it stop-and-go traffic or highway cruising, it’s fairly easy to find a comfortable driving position, but the cushioning is not on the same frequency as my sensible backside.

Happily, however, I’m glad to tell you that despite the deficient cushioning, the Mazda6’s seats never gave me the urge to put the orthopedist on speed dial. You know that some people like a harder-than-average mattress and pillow rather than sleeping on a spongy bed? Truth be told, this matter of preference can also be applied to the 2016 Mazda6 facelift’s ergonomics.

Two other dissatisfactions need pointing out. Once you glance at the rearview mirror, you will notice a chunky wire that wasn’t hidden from sight. I’m aware that the facelift debuted numerous active safety hoo-hah, and a plethora of sensors are stacked behind the rearview mirror, but I wish Mazda would’ve hidden the culprit of my grumble. As for the other objection, the central armrest’s position could prove troublesome for drivers the size of Richard Hammond or Tom Cruise.

Then again, if you opt for the six-speed automatic in the detriment of the slick six-speed manual gearbox, you won’t be affected by this conundrum. With the bad points covered, I shall now tell you about the elements that make life easier onboard the Mazda6.

Everything about the dashboard is different from the pre-facelift apart from the perfectly-profiled steering wheel. The manly handbrake lever is not available anymore, not even on the entry-level model. In its place, Mazda took up the e-brake trend, with the button placed next to the BMW iDrive-like wheel on the transmission tunnel. Everything from the white-on-black gauges to the HVAC unit has been modernized in such a way the facelift feels more inviting to be in.

Take the MZD Connect 7-inch touchscreen media system as a prime example of improvement on the inside. Compared to the iffy-looking and low-res unit of the pre-facelift, the overhauled infotainment system isn’t only bigger and faster, but also better positioned if you depend on the sat nav’s guidance ever so often.

Another strong point of the 2016 Mazda6 is its ability to swallow a 2-liter bottle in the front door bin. A further detail that pleases is the solid feeling you get when operating any of the buttons scattered around. The brushed aluminum detailing on the door panels and the horizontal bar that goes across the dashboard aren’t shabby either nor the upholstery’s quality.

On the driving front, the concrete jungle isn’t the right place to understand and enjoy the Mazda6’s SkyActiv underpinnings. The peeps from Mazda claim that the facelift improves on NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) by 10 percent, but the company’s argument is hard to take for granted. Except for the manual transmission’s mechanical clunk sounds when shifting, we couldn’t identify a discernible NVH improvement over the pre-facelift Mazda6 2.2 diesel auto tested two years ago.

That doesn’t mean that it’s an ear-splitting experience to drive the Mazda6 at city-specific low RPMs, but you can’t escape the feeling that better isolation would’ve muted the munching 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine. The relatively quick 15.5:1 ratio of the fully electric rack should translate into effortless city driving. Not so surprisingly, when you add the 4,865 mm (191.5 in) long and 1,840 mm (72.4 in) wide body shell, the car will prove a hassle to handle in the city. Pulling a U-turn and navigating in tight parking spaces are quite laborious tasks.

Make no mistake about it - it’s hard to find a manual transmission-equipped vehicle with a start&stop system that doesn’t go haywire upon repeated declutching. Not only that, but the diesel-fed 2016 Mazda6 sedan also powers back to life without interfering vibrations.

As opposed to the 2.0 and 2.5-liter petrol-fed motors, the 2.2-liter turbo diesel of our tester is audible when compared to what the Germans have to offer. I, for example, wasn’t hindered by the way this oil burner munches, but more sensible motorists may tell you that the 2.2 SkyActiv-D mill isn’t a refined powerplant.

The 175 HP engine may be a no-goer for European customers as well. Unfortunately, the EU has these weird laws that render engines over 2 liters expensive to tax. Despite the fact that it’s EU6-compliant and drinks less diesel than what many would expect from a 2.2-liter, the psychological barrier of those extra 200 cc is a hard nut to crack for Mazda’s salesmen in Europe.

On the long haul is where the 2016 Mazda6 facelift truly comes to life. Being a 2.2-liter with 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) at its disposal, the 1,410-kg (3,108 lbs) machine accelerates hard and relentless in most of the motor’s rev range. The cherry on the top is, however, the fact that over 2,500 revs, the CD175 turbo diesel unit still has plenty of space to stretch its legs. In comparison, most 2-liter turbo diesels of today don’t have enough get-up-and-go to offer beyond the 2,500 rpm mark.

Even though only the Mazda6 wagon can be had with all-wheel drive, the FWD-only sedan on hand is masterfully fine-tuned for high-speed driving and B-road twists. At highway-specific velocity, the car stays put and planted. Be it a lorry passing by or an overtaking maneuver in rainy conditions, the Mazda6 stays true and poised.

The MX-5-like directness you get when you upshift is a fulfilling experience for a vehicle with family-hauling credentials. In addition to the organic-feeling manual tranny, the pedal box’s layout invites you to heel-and-toe, albeit this is a bit pointless considering there’s a turbo diesel workhorse under that long, flowing hood.

What amazed me most handling-wise is that the safety babysitters don’t interfere too much with the front-wheel drive chassis. You’ll find it pretty hard to make either end lose traction when either causality or mood take you there.

In a way, the handling of the Mazda6 will please both casual and spirited drivers. The casual crowd will appreciate the mechanical grip and traction offered by the surefooted front wheels at high speeds and while cornering. The spirited driver will find himself downshifting from fourth to third mid-corner accompanied by a gentle tickle of the brake pedal. In this type of driving scenario, you'll get the feeling that the 10-mm wider front track is a valuable asset, one meant to give confidence and keep things in control.

What's even more fulfilling is that you won't feel the ESP or any other safety adjutant interfering if you'll need to correct your maneouver with some countersteering. No tank-slapper, no flexing in the chassis, it won't flinch even when your driving style is on the bravado end of the spectrum.

Earlier on, I’ve told you that a gentlemen asked me if Mazda adjusted the damping on the facelift. The man, a Mazda6 pre-facelift owner, didn’t complain about his car’s harder-than-segment-average suspension. What he did want to know is if engineers changed the 6 by employing a more yielding setup for the shock absorbers.

Well, dear Mazda6 owner, I am happy to tell you that the Japanese manufacturer haven't changed the recipe. It’s often I hear people booing and hissing about the slightly rough ride of Mazda-branded vehicles, but it’s a thoroughly small price to pay at the end of the day.

The firmer shocks aren’t necessarily there to enhance the handling characteristics, but a pivotal point in the 6’s nimbleness at changing direction when trying to avoid an obstacle. It’s the best of both worlds, frankly.

I guess that the time is right to talk about more well-grounded factors that define the Mazda6, such as boot capacity. At 480 liters (16.9 cuFT), the sedan is trounced by most of its rivals, except the hideously underrated Peugeot 508. Legroom and headroom in the rear are abundant even for the tallest among us.

The only criticism I have regarding the rear accommodation is the placement of the seat heater's buttons. They're ergonomically positioned in the central armrest, but the buttons are too near the cupholders. If my kid were to spill some water on them, I fear that would end up in a costly service visit.

The NHTSA, IIHS and EuroNCAP's assessments on the Mazda6 are 5-star overall, Top Safety Pick+ and 5-star overall, respectively. Driver pleasure is best complemented by peace of mind, knowing you and those accompanying you are safe in the eventuality of a crash.

Every 2016 Mazda6 facelift comes with six airbags and air curtains. Better specced models benefit from numerous active safety features, including the Smart City Brake Support system that operates at speeds of 4 to 30 km/h (3 to 18 mph).

Gadget-wise, the marque’s MZD Connect multimedia system is a breeze to use and can even do Wi-Fi and text-to-speech if you want it to. The head-up display is a useful feature as well, especially during night driving. However, the Mazda6 has a major drawback I can't turn a blind eye to – the 6 doesn't come with a spare wheel, not even a space saver.

Pricing and standard equipment? The 2016 Mazda6 is great in these domains. Even the entry-level grade, which differs slightly from US to Euro-spec models, is laden with a generous assortment of features. Priced at €22,090 and $21,495, respectively, the Mazda6 is good value without a shadow of a doubt. Other than the six-speed auto and sunroof, our test vehicle boasted every goodie the manufacturer can offer.

The €31,040 2016 Mazda6 2.2 diesel CD175 MT Revolution Top we tested is laden with two notable optional extras: Kodo Red Metallic paint (€650) and white perforated leather (€140). Configuring the 2015 Ford Mondeo or Volkswagen Passat B8 to a similar degree will prove reasonably more expensive. All in all, the pricing advantage favors the Japanese sedan.

To boot, the infotainment system’s uses a specifically developed version of the Opera Internet browser, and the satellite navigation employs the HERE Maps suite of topographical depictions. Altogether, it’s easy to forget the 2016 Mazda6 facelift’s drawbacks, but this doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone searching the market for a brand spanking new mid-size sedan.

I believe that the reason we don’t see the Mazda6 too often on our roads is that not-exactly-direct rivals from premium marques are hot selling items, while volume-oriented offerings are more streetwise than ever. I’m not afraid to tell you that the 6 is my kind of mid-size car, but the aura of a German badge up front hinders the sales potential of an otherwise proficient automobile.

It may lack the gravitas of a Vee-Dub, but the 6 is an inspired choice in a mostly flavorless segment.