Review - 2024 Mazda 6

Mazda pitches the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon as a versatile and exciting package that offers a spacious cabin and retains a heap of family-friendly touches, without the bulk of a conventional SUV bodyshape.

The Mazda 6 is also far more engaging behind the wheel than its SUV counterparts, so let’s take a closer look at the range and see how it stacks up as a versatile and practical option for you and your family.

Mazda 6 Competition

Starting Price: $36,140

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Mazda 6 range kicks off from $36,140 for the entry-level G25 Sport sedan, while the G25 Sport wagon is priced at $37,440.

From here, prices move to $40,810 and $42,110, respectively for the G25 Touring sedan and wagon variants, while the G35 GT SP is priced at $49,040 for the sedan and $50,340 for the wagon variant.

Moving to the range-topping G35 Atenza brings the price up to $52,440 for the sedan, capping out at $53,740 for the G35 Atenza wagon.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Mazda 6 (G25 SPORT) Specifications

What Features Does the Mazda 6 Have?

Mazda’s entry-level Mazda 6 G25 Sport comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys, and receives automatic LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Mazda 6 G25 Touring adds a set of LED daytime running lamps, keyless entry, leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay, auto-folding side mirrors and an upgraded 11-speaker Bose sound system.

Opting for the Mazda 6 G35 GT SP adds a set of 19-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, leather upholstery and heated front and rear seats, while the range-topping G35 Atenza picks up a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, black Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated seats, a surround-view monitor and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Range Features:

• 17-inch alloys 

• Automatic LED headlights 

• Cloth upholstery with leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Head-up display 

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Leather upholstery (Touring) 

• 11-speaker Bose sound system (Touring) 

• 19-inch alloys (GT SP) 

• Adaptive headlights (GT SP) 

• Heated front & rear seats (GT SP) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Atenza) 

• Black Nappa leather upholstery (Atenza) 

• Surround-view monitor (Atenza)

• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster (Atenza)

Is the Mazda 6 Comfortable to Drive?

It takes just a few minutes behind the wheel of the Mazda 6 to get the impression that Mazda has designed its family-friendly sedan and wagons to be comfortable and incredibly versatile.

Power from the entry-level 2.5-litre four-cylinder is more than adequate, though moving to the turbocharged engine adds a heap of added acceleration and is a worthy upgrade for those looking for a fun and lively driving experience.

Whichever you opt for, power is thrown to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission that behaves well and offers smooth shifts on a mix of town and country driving.

As a package, the Mazda 6 retains all the user-friendly hallmarks that have made compact and midsize SUVs so popular with a much more engaging platform that handles far better than a comparable SUV.

This means that it’s a pleasure to drive around town, squeeze in and out of car parks, navigate traffic and make for an extremely urban-friendly driving experience.

Where it begins to shine, though, is when you leave town and hit higher speeds on long-distance journeys, where it remains impressively composed for a front-wheel-drive platform.

Admittedly, the suspension is on the firmer side - to help keep body roll to a minimum - though having said that, the ride isn’t sharp, and makes for a very versatile family package that is also smile-inducing when you have the road to yourself.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Mazda’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder engines are rated at 7.0L per 100km in the base model, with fuel economy figures rising up to 7.6L/100km in the turbocharged G35 range.

This makes it reasonably fuel efficient, though it signifies how the Mazda 6 could use some hybrid assistance in the future in order to close the gap to cars like the Toyota Camry when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While family buyers seem to move to SUV body shapes as a defacto family car, the Mazda 6, particularly in wagon form makes for an almighty family car that puts many midsize SUVs to shame.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a refined cabin layout, with even the base model picking up an attractive design that showcases Mazda’s class-leading interior designs.

In terms of space and comfort in the first row, there’s excellent headroom for tall drivers, while the driving position can be adjusted to suit a variety of shapes and sizes.

The Mazda 6’s interior layout is restrained, making it easy to familiarise yourself, and when put under the family test, handles loose items with confidence thanks to a pair of storage trays in the centre console, with added storage inside the armrest itself.

Move to the rear and there’s more than enough space for tall adults to get comfortable on long journeys, meaning you won’t hear any complaints from young kids seated in the rear, who also pick up air vents, USB chargers and a folding armrest with cup holders.

The second row of the Mazda 6 also offers a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts to help accommodate a range of child seats.

In terms of cargo, the Mazda 6 has boot space figures of 474L in the sedan, expanding to 506L in the Mazda 6 wagon, with the 60:40 split-fold seats enabling 1648L of boot space potential, making it a truly family-friendly option.

Is it Safe?

The Mazda 6 has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring the following marks during testing.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 95% 

• Child Occupant Protection: 91% 

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 66%

• Safety Assist: 73%

As standard, the Mazda 6 is fitted with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance, driver attention alerts, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

Upgrading to the Mazda 6 Touring adds a set of front-mounted parking sensors, while the GT SP picks up Cruising and Traffic assistance and the range-topping Atenza receives a surround-view monitor.

Our Verdict: Is The Mazda 6 Worth it?

If you’re in the market for a family car that looks great inside and drives like a dream, the Mazda 6 remains a rock-solid option for family buyers.

Combining Mazda’s stunning interior designs with a generous features list and an impressively sporting nature in the case of turbocharged variants, the Mazda 6 is a versatile, practical and engaging platform in both sedan and wagon form.

If you’re tossing up your best options with the world of family-friendly motoring, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. Two engines available: 2.5-litre four-cylinder (G25) plus turbocharged (G35) variant 

3. Boot space between 474L (sedan) and 506L (wagon) 

4. Fuel economy between 7.0 - 7.6L/100km 

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating