2024 Mazda 6 G35 Atenza evaluation

‘They simply don’t make them like they used to’ – you hear it on a regular basis, however on this case some nonetheless do.

Whereas the winds of change blow via the automotive business like a gale, the Mazda 6 G35 Atenza remains to be a petrol-powered wagon with issues like buttons and gauges, and no adjustments have been made for this 12 months.

In 2024 it has only a few rivals. So few, the truth is, that patrons are more likely to be cross-shopping it with SUVs and sedans.

The present technology Mazda 6 has been round since 2012 and acquired a number of updates since then, however because it nears the tip of its lifecycle Australia is likely one of the few remaining markets to obtain the mid-size stalwart.

Does it nonetheless maintain up in 2024?

How does the Mazda 6 examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Mazda 6 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

Mazda

Mazda 6

How a lot does the Mazda 6 value?

Our take a look at car is a G35 Atenza Wagon, valued at $53,740 earlier than on-road prices.

Scuff plates ($353) and ground mats ($270) had been optioned on this specific instance, bringing the overall record value to $54,363 plus on-roads, or $56,575 drive-away for Victorian patrons.

Costs exclude on-road prices

To see how the Mazda 6 compares with its rivals, line it up side-by-side with any automotive you need utilizing our comparability device.

What’s the Mazda 6 like on the within?

Sliding into the entrance seat of the Mazda 6 Atenza seems like stepping again into less complicated occasions, which comes with each advantages and downsides.

It’s a cushty house, due to supple Nappa leather-based seats that include three-stage heating and cooling features up entrance. The previous is certainly appreciated on crisp winter mornings.

Even outboard rear passengers get heated seats, so your youngsters received’t need to battle over the entrance seat.

Each entrance seats have loads of powered adjustability, so there’s no cause to not discover the right seating place both.

It’s not simply your bum that’s taken care of – the thin-rim leather-based steering wheel can also be heated, whereas the door playing cards and centre tunnel are padded for optimum elbow and leg consolation.

Surrounding supplies additionally give the Mazda 6 a premium really feel, sitting someplace in between the finances manufacturers and high-end luxurious marques.

There are tender padded leather-based elbow rests included into the door playing cards, and darkish wood-effect sprint inlays to make the automotive really feel costlier than it’s.

Nonetheless, a few materials selections didn’t impress me.

Stitched suede wraps round center part of the sprint and doorways, which isn’t an issue in itself, however I discovered the suede was grainy and unappealing. Maybe some further wooden or leather-based trim could be a greater match?

Then there’s the gloss-black plastic. Fortunately there’s not a lot of the scratch-sensitive stuff right here, but it surely does {surround} the gear lever.

High quality of supplies doesn’t drop off within the second row, a recognized cost-cutting ploy.

Overhead you get a tilt-and-slide sunroof which illuminates an in any other case darkish cabin. It doesn’t have the dimensions of recent panoramic items, but it surely’s higher than nothing.

On the entire, the inside design is stylish and the supplies make it a cushty setting.

That brings me to the tech, which is the largest letdown of this mannequin.

It’s instantly obvious that it is a automotive from a special time, as the driving force is greeted by a set of old-school analogue gauges, relatively than the digital instrument clusters which are turning into widespread in fashionable automobiles.

There’s a small, customisable digital readout within the centre of the speedometer, however in any other case you get a rev counter, oil temperature gauge and gasoline gauge, similar to the previous days.

In addition to being primary, it’s uninspiring, that includes plain white lettering on a black background. Yawn.

Comparable age-related complaints apply to the infotainment system.

It’s an older 8.0-inch model of Mazda’s MZD Join, and the display screen decision is noticeably decrease than newer items, each Mazda and in any other case.

Whereas technically a touchscreen, contact performance is simply out there when the automotive is stationary, so most of the time you’ll be pressured to navigate the system via a rotary dial.

That’s usually not an excessive amount of of a problem, however utilizing it to scroll via lengthy lists and enter navigation locations could be time consuming.

At the very least the display screen helps wi-fi smartphone mirroring, which works properly.

Telephones can be charged and not using a cable, due to a wi-fi charging pad beneath the local weather controls. When you carry a burner telephone or wish to convey buddies alongside for the trip, two USB-C ports are positioned within the armrest, in addition to an SD card slot and 12V outlet.

Bodily local weather controls are additionally a throwback, however this time it’s for the higher.

The chunky buttons and dials are tactile and simple to make use of whereas conserving your eyes on the highway, which is a key standards for all inside options from each a security and practicality perspective.

I can’t say the identical in regards to the buttons on the steering wheel, which look previous and have a squishy really feel.

Cupboard space can also be a combined bag.

The cupholders and door bins are large, however there’s not a lot room within the glovebox or below the centre armrest.

Smaller gadgets like cash can be saved in a small cubby on the precise of the steering wheel.

Passengers within the again get shallow door bins, seat again map pockets and a lined tray within the centre armrest, which additionally homes two cupholders and a pair of USB-C factors.

Talking of the second row, there’s sufficient room for most individuals, too.

Knee room is likely to be tight for longer legged people, however there’s simply sufficient headroom despite the fact that the darkish headliner could make the house a bit stuffy.

A pair of adjustable air vents assist to treatment that, as does ceiling lighting.

One space the place you’ll by no means be left wanting for house is the boot. At a claimed 506L it’s each large and deep, which makes it simple to load gadgets (or canines) of various sizes and styles.

The capability distinction between the sedan and wagon is 32L, with the latter boasting a much bigger boot.

When you want much more room, the second row folds in 60/40 style by way of handles on both aspect, revealing a cavernous flat house for no matter IKEA throws at you.

With that stated, the boot can solely be opened manually, so there’s no shortcut when you have your fingers full. An area saver spare wheel is positioned below the boot ground in case you run into tyre-related hassle.

What’s below the bonnet?

Mazda 6 G35 fashions use a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 173kW of energy at 4250rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm. Energy is distributed to the entrance wheels by way of a six-speed computerized transmission.

To see how the Mazda 6 compares with its rivals, line it up side-by-side with any automotive you need utilizing our comparability device.

How does the Mazda 6 drive?

The cabin of the Mazda 6 doesn’t disguise its age, however the driving expertise nonetheless stacks up in opposition to extra fashionable rivals.

Round city the Atenza wagon is comfy and refined, and I used to be impressed with how properly it eradicated outdoors noise throughout peak-hour crossings of Melbourne’s CBD.

The auto-hold perform, which stops the automotive rolling from a standstill, additionally made visitors jams much less of a chore.

Simply don’t look down on the gasoline gauge. Granted, most of my time with the automotive was spent in metropolis visitors, however 12L/100km is thirsty for a turbocharged 4 – it’s additionally a great distance off Mazda’s declare of seven.6L/100km.

Altering lanes and turning into tight laneways could be tough.

The Mazda 6 wagon measures 4.8 metres from nostril to tail, longer than any sub-$60,000 wagon, and it’s noticeable.

Purchasing centre carparks expose its size – there have been events the place I couldn’t squeeze contained in the traces.

Fortunately the up-spec Atenza is provided with a surround-view digicam, eradicating the necessity to full psychological arithmetic each time a parking state of affairs arises.

You’re feeling extra lumps and bumps than in equally priced SUVs, but it surely’s very a lot a matter of desire whether or not you’re keen to tolerate that for the wagon form with its decrease driving place and superior dynamics.

Talking of, this automotive does its greatest work at larger speeds. On the open highway, the 420Nm of torque from the two.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder makes overtaking a breeze.

It’s not brief on energy both, with 173kW out there. The engine could be buzzy whenever you rev it out, however that’s hardly ever required.

As such, the Atenza wagon cruises effortlessly when touring cross nation, consuming up highways by the kilometre.

Eager drivers can take management of substances shifts by way of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, and flicking a rocker swap subsequent to the gear lever prompts Sport mode.

Like most such modes, it sharpens up throttle response and tells the transmission to carry decrease gears, which retains revs within the torque band.

Regardless of sitting on 19-inch alloys it additionally rides properly in these conditions, smoothing out any imperfections that rural roads throw at you.

Potholes and particles could be averted altogether with the assistance of a well-weighted steering setup that’s superior to the sloppy racks served up in different fashionable automobiles.

Mazda has added security equipment to the 6 through the years, and this Atenza has a complete suite of security options that work properly and don’t distract or annoy the driving force.

What do you get?

The Atenza sits on the prime of the core Mazda 6 tree in Australia, although the twentieth Anniversary Version remains to be prime canine.

G25 Sport customary gear:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Heated, power-adjustable mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Computerized LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• Material upholstery
• Keyless begin
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 6-speaker sound system
• Head-up show
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Paddle shifters
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Electrical parking brake with auto maintain
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• 2 x 12V energy retailers
• 3 x USB retailers

G25 Touring provides:

• Auto-folding exterior mirrors
• LED daytime working lights
• Keyless entry
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• 11-speaker Bose sound system
• Leather-based upholstery
• Energy driver and passenger seats

G35 GT SP provides:

• Adaptive Entrance Lighting (steering-guided headlights)
• Black 19-inch alloy wheels
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Burgundy leather-based upholstery

G35 Atenza provides:

• Adaptive LED headlights
• Vivid-finish 19-inch alloy wheels
• Single-pane sunroof
• Heated steering wheel
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster display screen
• Black Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Ventilated entrance seats

twentieth Anniversary provides:

• twentieth Anniversary logos
• Tan Nappa leather-based and artificial suede upholstery
• Embossed twentieth Anniversary headrest logos

Is the Mazda 6 secure?

The Mazda 6 wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on 2018 testing.

It achieved 95 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 91 per cent for little one occupant safety, 66 per cent for weak highway customers and 73 per cent for security help.

Normal security gear contains:

• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Autonomous emergency braking (ahead, reverse)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver consideration alert
• Clever Pace Help
• Lane hold help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Visitors signal recognition
• Tyre stress monitoring

G25 Touring and up get entrance parking sensors, whereas G35 GT SP and up get Cruising and Visitors Assist and G35 Atenza and up get a surround-view digicam.

How a lot does the Mazda 6 value to run?

The Mazda 6 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Logbook servicing is now required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. It was beforehand each 12 months or 10,000km.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 Atenza is a cushty and composed automotive with wagon practicality and inside finishes that put some premium manufacturers to disgrace.

Nonetheless, it’s additionally caught with yesterday’s expertise. In order for you a wagon and don’t have a limiteless finances, what are your choices? Because it seems, there aren’t many.

For comparable cash to the Mazda 6 you may decide up a Subaru WRX Sportswagon or the cheaper Skoda Octavia, however that’s about it. The Volvo V60 Cross Nation instructions a premium of practically $20,000 over the Mazda, whereas a Skoda Very good is across the identical mark.

In comparison with the aforementioned equally priced wagons, the Mazda 6 Atenza could also be extra comfy and opulent inside however it will probably’t match the Octavia in RS guise for tech, efficiency or boot house.

The Mazda matches up higher in opposition to a base WRX, but it surely’s nonetheless not the decide of the bunch. Including SUV and sedan options muddies the waters even additional.

Even if you happen to’re set on a Mazda 6, you may in all probability get higher worth than the Atenza. For over $11,000 much less the G25 Touring could have all the identical creature comforts with a barely much less succesful engine, and it’s not even well worth the step as much as the Atenza from the GT SP.

It’s nice that you may nonetheless purchase reasonably priced wagons, however Mazda’s providing now not has a super-strength to set it aside from the competitors. For that cause, we eagerly no matter comes subsequent for the Mazda 6 – if there’s a subsequent…

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