Used Mazda 6 for sale: everything you need to know
While many used car buyers are drawn to SUVs, the Mazda 6 provides a strong counter argument that a traditional saloon can be just as appealing. It offers handsome styling, an engaging driving experience and a generous level of standard equipment.
The pool of alternatives to the Mazda 6 is smaller than it it once was, but there is still the Skoda Superb and Peugeot 508 to consider. Other choices include the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat, plus the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. With an image and build quality that are close to premium-brand levels, the Mazda 6 is potentially also a challenger for those considering a BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Audi A4.
Should you buy a Mazda 6?
The Mazda 6 is a handsome car with styling inspired by Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design philosophy. It’s certainly a car that will look good parked on your drive.
It will also be good to drive, serving up a genuinely engaging experience from behind the wheel. Mazda says the 6 has the soul of the MX-5 sports car, a claim that isn’t as tenuous as you might think. The Skyactiv engines love to be revved, while the six-speed manual gearbox has a short and precise shift. It offers good steering feedback, too, along with a refined ride quality.
On the inside, various updates have made the Mazda 6 feel genuinely upmarket. The use of soft padded trim on the dashboard, and a minimalist approach to design, bring the car close to a premium level. Everything feels built to last, with quality materials used throughout.
Space inside the Mazda 6 is generous, with those in the front getting the best deal. Passengers in the back will have more than adequate legroom, although the saloon’s sloping roof does eat into headroom slightly. Boot space is slightly less than its rivals at 480 litres, but the rear bench splits and folds.
Standard technology is strong across the range, and features such as adaptive cruise control and LED headlights became standard on all models sold from early 2018. The range-topping GT Sport is particularly well-equipped, with brown Nappa leather upholstery and real Japanese wood trim found inside.
What makes the Mazda 6 four-door saloon impressive is its lack of weaknesses. As an all-round family car, it ticks all the boxes, without the added weight and inferior fuel economy of an SUV. Throw in generous levels of standard equipment, plus a reputation for dependability, and the Mazda 6 really can be counted as a leftfield alternative to BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi saloons. It all makes for a great used car to buy.
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What's the best used Mazda 6 model to buy?
The entire Mazda 6 range comes comprehensively equipped but the SE-L Lux Nav+ has the best balance of all, with luxuries like a heated steering wheel and seats, both being leather covered. Sport Nav+ above it might appeal, too, adding some more body-coloured exterior trim and larger alloy wheels as standard, but that does impact slightly on the ride comfort.
The engine choice is less complicated, as even though diesels have received a bad press of late, the 2.2-litre turbodiesel is a superb engine, with good economy and emissions allied to fine refinement and good driving characteristics. It’s down to which power output you want, that too dictating the trim, as with the 150PS model you can have that SE-L Lux Nav+ or Sport Nav+ from the later trim offerings, picking the more powerful 184PS version introduced in early 2018 limits you to the Sport Nav+.
As for the transmission we’d go with the slick manual, as the auto impacts on economy, robs the 6 of some of its driving appeal, and isn’t as good as its rivals’ twin-clutch automatics.
Used Mazda 6 fuel economy and performance
The Mazda 6 is offered with three versions of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. These feature different levels of power, and use clever Skyactiv-G technology to boost efficiency. Depending on the version chosen, either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox is fitted.
Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv-G 145: The entry-level version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 145PS, and is offered only for the SE-L model. Buyers can pick a manual or automatic gearbox. Accelerating from 0-62mph take just under 10 seconds in the manual version, with average fuel economy of 42.2mpg.
Mazda 6 2.0 Skyactiv-G 165: Stepping up to the Sport model sees the 2.0-litre petrol engine deliver 165PS, with a manual gearbox the only transmission option. The extra power cuts the 0-62mph time to 9.4 seconds, with average fuel economy remaining at 42.2mpg. Helping achieve this is Mazda’s i-ELOOP technology, which recovers kinetic energy to power the electrical system.
Mazda 6 2.5 Skyactiv-G 194: Fitted to the GT Sport, the 194PS 2.5-litre engine makes use of cylinder deactivation to help boost economy. This engine comes as standard with the six-speed automatic gearbox, with a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds. Even with cylinder deactivation, average fuel economy is a hardly spectacular 38.2mpg.
Mazda 6 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150: For diesel buyers, this is the start point and the 2.2 litre engine gives a claimed combined economy of 67.3mpg, though low 50s is more likely on a longer run. Performance and refinement are both decent, and there's a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.
Mazda 6 2.2 Skyactiv-D 175: With an extra 25PS shot in the arm, this version of the 2.2 diesel is a brisk performer and can cover 0-62mph in as little as 7.9 seconds. It also claimed 58.9mpg combined economy, but high 40s is more realistic. Manual and automatic gearboxes are available.
Mazda 6 2.2 Skyactiv-D 184: A revamp in early 2018 improved power for the higher spec 2.2 diesel to 184PS. It could offer combined economy of 53.3mpg alongside 140g/km of CO2 emissions, all while delivering 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds.
What used Mazda 6 trim levels are available?
The Mazda 6 is offered with a selection of trim levels, all of which feature generous amounts of standard equipment. Unlike many car manufacturers, Mazda didn't offer individual optional extras. Those wanting more kit were encouraged to move up a trim level instead when buying new and the same applies now with used examples.
Mazda 6 SE: At its launch in 2013, the start point for the Mazda 6 was the SE. It came with alloy wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, all-round electric windows, Bluetooth connectivity and a touch-screen multimedia system.
Mazda 6 SE-L: The SE-L version of the Mazda 6 is far from basic. It features all the gadgets anyone could realistically need, such as satellite navigation, LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity and dual-zone climate control air-con. Safety highlights include radar cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. In earlier models sold before that start of 2015, sat-nav was only offered with the SE-L Nav version.
Mazda 6 SE-L Nav: A facelift at the beginning of 2018 brought a new grille. It also ushered in 8.0-inch infotainment screen, LED headlamps, new bumpers and a reshaped boot lid. There was also an increase in the amount of standard safety equipment to include i-ACTIVSENSE with adaptive cruise control.
Mazda 6 SE-L Nav+: An updated model of the SE-L Nav now with the same safety features and styling updates brought in for the start of 2018.
Mazda 6 Sport: Moving up to the Sport model gives the Mazda 6 a set of larger 19-inch alloy wheels and black leather upholstery. The front seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, with Mazda also fitting a Bose sound system. A rear-view camera complements the front and rear parking sensors found on the SE-L version. In earlier models sold before that start of 2015, sat-nav was only offered with the Sport Nav version.
Mazda 6 GT Sport: For the maximum amount of equipment in your Mazda 6, the GT Sport is packed with goodies. The interior feels particularly plush, with brown Nappa leather upholstery, Japanese wood trim and front seats with ventilation. On the outside, adaptive LED headlights and a 360-degree camera are fitted.
Used Mazda 6 saloon dimensions and boot size
The Mazda 6 Saloon’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4870mm
Width: 1840mm
Height: 1450mm
Ground clearance: 165mm
The Mazda 6 Saloon’s boot space is:
Used Mazda 6 road tax
Any Mazda 6 originally registered before 1 April 2017 will have its road tax calculated on a sliding scale based on CO2 emissions. This isn't a concern as the Mazda's engines are low emitters. For those cars put on the road after this date, all will pay the standard road tax rate of £180 for a year's duty.
How much is it to insure a Mazda 6?
The Mazda 6 should be relatively affordable to insure. Entry-level SE and SE-L models with the 145PS engine start from insurance group 18 (out of 50). Moving up the range to the Sport version, with 165PS, lifts this to insurance group 21. Topping the range, the 194PS GT Sport model is rated in group 26.
