Mazda6 Tourer estate (2012-2022) review - Interior & comfort
Stylish dashboard design, but plastic quality could be improved in the Mazda6
With suspension that’s soft enough to deal with the UK’s bumpy roads, the Mazda6 is a comfortable car to travel in. Choosing larger 19-inch alloy wheels doesn’t make as much of a difference in the Mazda as it does in car like the Audi A4, although they do send slightly more vibration into the cabin.
Mazda has also recently worked hard to further reduce interior noise, fitting better door seals, increased sound-deadening material and laminated side glass in the front doors. This has made a marked improvement, but the Mazda still can’t quite match the Volkswagen Passat, which is the quietest estate in its class.
The car’s supportive seats are very comfortable, and there’s plenty of adjustment so finding a good driving position is easy. Standard adaptive cruise control also makes the Mazda excellent for long motorway journeys.
Mazda6 Tourer dashboard
The Mazda6 has a sporty dashboard design that puts most of the emphasis on the dials behind the steering wheel. Overall, interior quality is good, but certain materials used fall below the quality of those found in the more expensive BMW 3 Series and recent improvements to boost quality have only gone as far as a new steering wheel and some chrome highlights. It’s still attractively designed, though, with an intuitive layout.
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The standard infotainment system is a welcome feature and has received updated graphics to bring it more in line with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, and it now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you’d rather use your smartphone’s display rather than Mazda’s infotainment system.
Mazda often goes against the grain, and its infotainment screen is another example. There’s no touchscreen functionality; everything is controlled by the rotary dial behind the gearlever, which means it’s easier to operate on the move. The screen’s graphics are starting to feel dated compared to rivals, though.
Equipment
The Mazda6 is more expensive than mainstream competition such as the Ford Mondeo, but all models come with a healthy amount of kit, especially after Mazda killed off the base models when the car was facelifted. Every model now comes with auto lights and wipers, cruise control, LED headlights, a head-up display (HUD), two-zone air-conditioning, electric windows all round, front and rear parking sensors, and Mazda’s integrated infotainment display.
Sport has stylish 19-inch alloys, extra chrome trim and LED daytime running lights. It also features upgraded headlights, leather upholstery, a reversing camera, electrically powered and heated front seats, keyless entry, a wiper de-icer and an 11-speaker Bose sound system.
Top-of-the-range GT Sport models can be identified by their gunmetal grille and sunroof, but they also get luxuries such as brown Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, LED ambient lighting and Japanese Sen wood trim, plus extra safety features.
Options
The Mazda6’s generous list of standard equipment means there are few options to choose from; you’re limited to paint colours, light stone-coloured leather (GT Sport Nav+) and online services for the sat nav.
