The Mazda 6 is one of the most graceful cars ever launched by Mazda. In 2013 and 2014, it grabbed the title of Best Family Car even after four years of its launch. Very few family saloons are good enough to drive and the Mazda 6 is one of them particularly because of its sporty road behavior and muscular engines that amazingly combine impressive fuel economy with outstanding performance.
Unfortunately it is not accessible with hatchback version but its Saloon and Tourer styles provide more than enough space for four to five people easily along with nice boot capacities. Its improved version was revealed in 2015 with the modification in the plain dashboard design which was one of its most disappointing weaknesses.
Two of its engines form the center of the Mazda 6 range: a smart 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G Mazda 6 petrol engine and powerful 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D diesel engine. Both are presented in two power outputs: the petrol along with 143bhp or 162bhp, and the diesel mainly with 148bhp or 173bhp.
The designs of both these Mazda are not shared with any car maker. The SkyActiv-D engines are effortlessly the most popular. They have an extraordinarily low compression ratio for a diesel, which is fine for efficiency and emissions: Mazda favours this approach with a vaguely larger capacity than the 2.0-litre engines of many opponents.
The standard SkyActiv-D 150 diesel generates 148bhp and 380Nm between 1,800rpm and 2,600rpm. It carries the car from 0-62mph in about 9.1 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 130mph, and is a well rounded engine along with a smooth nature, abundance of punch and linear power delivery. Captivated up with Mazda’s short-throw six-speed manual (non-automatic) gearbox, it’s a rewarding choice.
The SkyActiv-D 175 proposes more performance and pulling power, with the 420Nm of torque plateauing approximately at 2,000rpm. This car is perceptibly faster, though, running from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and striking a top speed of 139mph. The extra power is gratifying and it’s no less advanced than the low-power unit.
Both diesel engines can be merged along with Mazda’s six-speed automatic gearbox option. Performance does undergo a little, nevertheless; the difference is quite bigger in the SkyActiv-D 150, recommending the 173bhp engine has more in preserve to offset the auto’s power sap.
The two petrol cars provide alike performance; it’s only if you regularly use high revs that you’ll feel the advantage of the extra power. Most of the drivers won’t, because whereas the 162bhp version is a soft and effervescent engine, it’s somewhat vocal and prominent when revved tough.
This is the kind of noise you wouldn’t mind in an MX-5 performance, but isn’t actually what you anticipate from this class of car. The low-power petrol engine is obtainable along with the six-speed automatic option as well; it’s the only production that can’t cover up 0-62mph in less than 10 seconds.
