Mazda 6 saloon review - pictures

All the controls for the 6 are weighty, with meaty, precise steering and slick manual gearbox. The ride is firm yet supple, so combined with the smooth, refined diesel engine, enjoyment on twisty back roads is guaranteed. 

Much of the Mazda's facelift has focused on the interior. It's less bulky than its predecessor, plus a slim, seven-inch colour touchscreen adds a touch of class. This can also be controlled via a knurled metal rotary dial like the kind

Mazda 6

Punchy 173bhp 2.2-litre diesel delivers rapid performance - better than that of the slower Passat in this test. 

A saloon car that's just fantastic to drive, the Mazda 6 can be in your garage for £349 a month.

Mazda 6 2015 facelift

Mazda 6 2015 facelift

Mazda 6

Mazda 6

Small design changes have worked wonders for the fresh-faced Mazda, tidying up the fussy design for a smarter and more cohesive front-end. Neat touches inside also add up to make the 6 look and feel like a premium saloon. 

Mazda 6 2015 facelift

Thanks to Mazda's Skyactiv tech, the 6 achieved 51.0mpg on test, ahead of that of the VW. CO2 emissions of 119g/km aren't as impressive, though. 

Mazda 6 2015 facelift

Mazda 6

Mazda 6 2015 facelift

All the controls are weighty in the 6, plus the six-speed manual gearbox has a lovely mechanical feel. Weighting is perfect and adds an extra level of involvement. 

There's less space in the back of the Mazda than the VW, but the seats are easy to lower to increase the size of the boot for larger loads. 

Mazda 6

At 483 litres, the boot of the Mazda 6 trails the Passat by 103 litres, but with the seats folded flat, it's actually larger - offering up to 1,632 litres. 

Mazda 6