Video Summary
The 2012 to 2016 Mazda 6 is a good indicator of how the newer ones will age. It's available as a sedan or wagon with a petrol or diesel engine. The car uses a six-speed automatic, powering the front wheels. Trim specs include Sport, Touring, GT, and Atenza. The pricing tops out at 25,000 AUD, but can start at under 10,000 AUD. In the later GL models, many of the design changes and improvements were rolled out.If not in the attractive crystal red paint, this car is prone to damage. The base spec lacks xenon headlights and has smaller wheels.
Inside, pre-and post-update trim specs differ considerably. The screen graphics seem more appropriate for an early Nintendo 64. The Touring adds an eleven-speaker Bose system, leather trim, and parking sensors. GT and Atenza add more tech. MZConnect infotainment may require a full software update to function properly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be installed. Using poor-quality components can create electronic drama. The car is very comfortable to be in, has adequate space for your phone in the center console, and comes standard with a sunglass holder. At highway speeds, road noise can get annoying.
The naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder petrol engines are reported to be fuel efficient, with diesels getting 5-6 liters per 100k's. There are negative aspects: at freeway speeds, the road noise can get a little annoying, if you floor it off the line in the dry, it can cause wheelspin and axle tramp. The front lip is a bit low, making the car susceptible to damage when going over driveways.
Jim (the mechanic) adds that engine mounts in these lose their cushioning effect over time; therefore, engine mounts may need to be replaced. The diesel Mazda 6s should be avoided due to potential turbo and camshaft issues.
The test driver concludes that he has a challenge for viewers: go drive the Mazda 6, and a 70,000 dollar European car of the same segment, and tell me this doesn’t match them for the driving experience.
