I’ve always considered the Mazda6 as “pretty good” – a description that sits uncomfortably close to the perennially-middling “not bad”. But I changed my mind when I first saw the new Mazda6 at the recent Geneva Show… the Hiroshima-based manufacturer had produced a car that looked good in white, was notably bigger than its predecessor, sported compelling athletic lines and an undeniably beautiful snout.
So when the 2,5 Individual Sport test unit arrived at our CAR office, following closely on the heels of a red 2,0-litre version that performed well in CAR’s August 2008-issue “B-Team” comparative test, I was keen to experience the combination of the Mazda6’s sporty underpinnings with a rorty, 126 kW 2,5-litre four cylinder engine equipped with sequential-valve timing (S-VT) and a variable intake system (VIS). I wasn’t expecting a “four-door M3 thrill”, of course, but given the sad lack of a no-holds-barred performance model in the new Honda Accord range, I had high hopes that the 2,5 would add a sporty edge to the executive saloon challenge from the Land of the Rising Sun – at least until the MPS version gets here!
I’m still not certain that a typical Mazda6 buyer would ordinarily consider the purchase of an executive saloon from the German Three, because if that was the case, the 2,5 Individual would win hands down in terms of sporty appeal, not to mention specification, at its price (R280k). The chrome-backed head- and taillights, 18-inch tackies and aggressive colour-coded body kit make the Mazda6 flagship stand out from the crowd and, needless to say, the test unit drew several admiring glances.
The model comes equipped with nice-to-haves such as Smart Start (keyless entry with push-start button), Bi-xenon headlamps with auto-levelling, rain-sensitive wipers, a 240-Watt Premium Bose sound system, Dynamic stability control (DSC) Traction Control System (TCS), a multi-function steering wheel and 8-way electrically-adjustable (with thee-position memory function) driver’s seat. What’s more, the interior is particularly roomy and would have scored very high marks had it not been for the silver-coloured plastic trim, littered with micro-sized buttons, on the facia and multi-function steering wheel. Having said that, the fit and finish was above-average, and the black marble-like centre console trim was handsome.
As for the driving experience, the Mazda6’s handling seems particularly neutral and the agility of the 2,5 Individual certainly belies the big saloon’s size. The 2,5-litre engine is particularly vocal and although not particularly powerful, always eager to rev. On a few occasions there were hints of torque steer when I stamped on the throttle a trifle early during cornering, but that added to the character of the car. The Mazda6 has grown up to a large extent (and gained a capacious boot), but it is still a spunky juvenile at heart. Although not everyone will like the snatchy action of the clutch pedal, the six-speed manual gearbox felt positive and precise to operate, not least because of the tactile, stubby gear lever.
My biggest reservation with the Mazda6 2,5 Individual is that it does a reasonable job of being a versatile, moderately-potent sports saloon. In terms of out-right performance, its good enough to put a smile on your face, but not push your eyes back in their sockets. For a family saloon, the 2,5 Individual has a somewhat firm ride, and the big Mazda’s suspension seems a little unsettled when traversing bumps at lower speeds. Judging from the public’s generally positive response to the Mazda6 flagship’s looks, it certainly hits the mark in terms of its racy exterior package.
In conclusion, the Mazda6 is a competent and appealing product, but despite its excellent spec, the 2,5 Individual model isn’t the pick of the litter. Flagship models, irrespective of their brands, tend to suffer most in terms of depreciation, so if you really want one… get a demo.
A road test of the Mazda6 2,5 Individual will appear in an upcoming issue of CAR magazine.
