Mazda Mazda6 2.2 SE Diesel 5dr Car Review - April 2013

Performance from the diesel engine is certainly one of the strong points of the Mazda6, as it sends the car from 0-62mph in an nine seconds dead, and on to a top speed of 131mph. The ride is too firm, especially over bumpy surfaces, and the engine can be a little vocal, especially at higher revs; however the handling and roadholding are excellent, and the 6 feels very agile.

The driving position in the car is very good, with a comfortable seat that is fully adjustable along with the steering wheel, which makes it easy to find the right position. The controls on the central console are straightforward and easy to use, although the touch-screen isn't as intuitive to use as some of the systems in rival vehicles.

The sleek lines and the narrow headlight clusters ensure that the Mazda6 is one of the more attractive -- if not the most attractive -- family cars on the market. The large grille at the front helps to give the car an aggressive stance, while the back-end boasts twin exhausts and a boot lid which is shaped to provide a small spoiler shape at the tail of the car. Alloy wheels are included as standard, but most drivers will prefer the smaller seventeen-inch alloys as they help to take a little of the firmness away from the ride.

The SE level of trim is the lowest available with this version of the diesel engine, but it still offers plenty of luxuries including air conditioning and cruise control helping to make those long motorway journeys more tolerable. While it may not be laden with toys and gadgets like some of the more expensive options, this is certainly a comfortable car that doesn't feel like a basic model.

The space in the front seats is ample with plenty of headroom, but the sloping ceiling in the back seats does mean that taller passengers may find themselves lacking a little in headroom. The boot is a decent size; however, it isn't as big as the boot of its predecessor, the old 6.

The Mazda6 achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP tests, but as well as the usual range of airbags the car also features a radar when the cruise control system is active, as well as a brake system that will help drivers to avoid front-end collisions at low speed. Mazda has a superb reliability record and the three-year, 60,000 mile warranty which comes as standard will put drivers' minds at rest.

With a list price of £21,795, the Mazda6 is up against some very healthy competition, and in the same bracket as the equivalent Volkswagen Passat. The low carbon emissions and the efficiency of the car are very good, with the 2.2 litre diesel engine offering an impressive 67.3mpg, which is particularly notable because of the positive performance stats too.

The Mazda6 does tend to hold its value a little better than the Ford Mondeo, while the efficiency of the car should also make it desirable on the second hand market. The car is supplied with a three year or 60,000 mile warranty, and also has three years' roadside breakdown assistance.