Driving Report: Mazda 6 2.2D SKYACTIV-D

Completely new. New engine, new transmission, new design, new body, new ideas. The Mazda 6 came out as a completely new model last year. The new design of the Mazda 6 pleases with a brand face with typical 5-corner grille and with the help of the “Kodo” baptized design language, the entire external appearance of the Mazda 6 has been adapted to contemporary tastes. (Incidentally, the first Kodo representative was the Mazda CX-5, of which there will be a test shortly.)

Now it was not always that cars from Japan shone through sporty elegance, this Mazda 6 with its flat and long hatchback does it. And under his hood he carries a special heart.

The test was the top model, the 2.2 liter large Skyactiv diesel with 175 PS.

Diesel Shinkansen with sex appeal

Mazda 6 combi 2.2 Skyactiv in the driving report

From the front, the Mazda looks with tightly drawn headlights, the large grille got a chrome clasp that emphasizes the shape and depth of the face. The front fenders were modeled and run dynamically into the sideline. It does not look ordinary or bad. The Mazda 6 makes an extremely dynamic impression. The winter tires of the test car were pulled onto the 19 Custom rims of the Sports-Line model. A not quite cheap tire size, but with the optional 19 inch big alloy wheels, the Mazda looks extremely successful. He looks present, sporty and elegant. And besides, the tires are provided with the speed index V, so the top speed of the fast Japanese is reached even in winter.

• 2 weeks in the test
• 2.500 test kilometers 
• Base price: 35.890 €
• Test Car Price: 38.440 €

• Eco-Tour: 4.8 l / 100 km
• Commuting: 5.7 l / 100 km
• Field service mode: 8.1 l / 100 km
• More information about the test consumption

Thanks to the well-equipped Sports Line equipment and in conjunction with the powerful turbodiesel engine and the additional charge ruby ​​red paint the chic family suit then already 36.6400 €. The list of additional offers then, however, hardly any room for more crosses. The leather upholstery with the electric seats and the memory function would still be an option. At just 40.000 € (38.440 €), the fun stops, however. Interesting is the fact that Mazda offers the station wagon for the same price as the sedan. An argument in Kombiland Germany.

dieselShinkansen

One of the most important innovations is raging under the bonnet. Mazda calls its new generation of engines: "Skyactiv (click for more information) ". The secret of the 175 hp four-cylinder bi-turbo is its low compression. As a result, this should lead to particularly favorable emission values ​​and thus to fewer diesel particles in the exhaust gas, which means that there is no need for costly post-treatment to achieve the EU6 standard. Clever thought. What is not there does not break and is also irrelevant. The lower compression also ensures that the entire block of the engine is made of an aluminum alloy and not made of heavy gray cast iron. Smart again, weight saved again. And even if the compression of the diesel is extremely low at 14 to 1, this engine has a lot of “boom” - only it doesn't let the driver feel it that much. Earlier turbo diesel engines were known for their torque attack commands, but the Skyactiv diesel spoils you with the power of a large naturally aspirated engine. It pushes nicely evenly through the entire speed range, which is also extremely wide, as this is actually about a diesel engine. But only at 5.200 revolutions is the end and the maximum power is at 4.500 revolutions.

Hard to believe, but a lot of the fascination with the Mazda 6 really comes from this new diesel engine. Whereby when raving about the Skyactiv diesel you shouldn't forget how crisp the transmission is. Thanks to an extremely good seating position, the Mazda 6 is the first Japanese car where I don't have the feeling of sitting on a crate of beer 10 centimeters too high above the asphalt. It sits comfortably integrated, behind the three-spoke steering wheel and the small gear knob is ideally at hand. Only the sixth gear did not always want to dash through the scenery straight away, which may also have been due to the virgin mileage or my desire for “short-shifting”. The 175 hp diesel and the six-speed manual transmission form a perfect unit. Driving pleasure? This slogan came from Munich, but this Japanese fills it with life!

Lies like on rails

The powerful 175 hp diesel and the jagged gearbox are the prelude to a sporty ride in the new Mazda 6 station wagon. The chassis plays a role here, as does the direct steering. Thanks to the sporty winter tires with a small cross-section, the Mazda 6 can be carried away to a very refreshing cornering speed even with the winter soles. The steering spoils you with a quiet central position and a gentle response. Feedback about the grip of the tires is always available. The cushioning may be a little tight for a family suit. But if you like to drive a little faster on the country road, you will be pleased with the successful - yes, sporty - suspension setup. Fast stages on the motorway are simply a pleasure. The engine pulls through bravely in sixth gear from 1.200 revs and the elasticity values ​​from 120 to 180 allow the Skyactiv diesel to mutate into the express train among the motorway station wagons. In all driving situations, the Mazda 6 also benefits from its rather low curb weight. Mazda has achieved the goal of saving 100 kilograms with each new generation of vehicles with the 6-series station wagon. Mazda specifies 1.496 kilograms as the curb weight. Exemplary!

Elastic and economical

Anyone who opts for diesel will primarily want to know what the consumption values ​​look like. I want to put it this way: you have it in your feet. The 175 PS Skyactiv diesel does not become a drunkard even on brisk motorway stages. The absolute maximum was reached with 9 liters, but that also corresponded to a full-throttle stage from Munich to Würzburg. Whereby the fuel consumption is mainly determined by the traffic. If you move the diesel quickly in everyday life, you will get by with 6.9 liters, if you move it particularly sparingly, consumption will fall below the 5 liter mark. However, probably nobody will achieve the NEDC consumption of 4.6 in everyday life. Is the effort of the Skyactiv diesel worth it? 

Yes, just because of the profound driving pleasure that the engine offers. Rarely has a diesel engine been so elastic in this vehicle class.

Combi or not

There are family station wagons in this price range that offer more space. The Mazda 6 plays the sporty, elegant and dynamic representative. Since you can forgive him the rather clear load space of 522 liters. (After all, an Octavia Combi offers 610 liters of cargo space!) The rear seat can be folded down to a flat surface. This creates a cargo space of 1.664 liters volume.

For the small family with two children, there is definitely enough space and Dad is happy about a great sitting position, with the exception of the steering wheel, whose adjustment range could extend a little further up.

Let's come to the criticism here. Unfortunately, the multimedia system does not keep up with the innovative spirit under the sheet. With only 5.8 inches diagonal, some cell phone displays are larger and the resolution of the screen does not meet today's standards. The operation of the TomTom system is also too lengthy. The reactions are not coming quickly enough, the whole system seems outdated. The fact that all functions can be operated twice and three times - either via the steering wheel, or via the rotary knobs on the system or via a joystick in the center console, no longer helps with the overall impression of the unit. The navigation system is based on a TomTom solution and does not fit the rest of the vehicle. Here I would like a more innovative and, above all, more independent system for the next model update.

Positive list:

The estate car spoiled with a sporty roadside. Powerful engine, crisp gear and a tight tuning of the spring / damper provides an extra dose of driving pleasure!

175 PS are 175 PS. As the Skyactiv diesel provides this power but deserves recognition. The engine is a prime example of modern diesel technology!

The bill is “just under € 40.000”. The top version of the Mazda 6 is not a bargain, but for so much driving fun you can get rid of € 60.000 elsewhere.

And finally ...

With the new Mazda 6 station wagon, the Japanese have put a real express train on wheels. Its design is bursting with emotion and dynamism, and in conjunction with the 175 PS Skyactiv diesel, the Mazda 6 fulfills the expectations placed on it. The approach to lighter station wagons, new technologies and a much more emotional design has done the entire vehicle extremely well!

 Click here for the Mazda 6 configurator ... 

Power: 175 PS Power: 420 Nm Acceleration 0-100 km / h: 7.9 seconds Top speed: 221 km / h 

Efficiency class: A Emission standard: EU 6 standard consumption comb.: 4.6l / 100km CO² emission com .: 121 g / km

Data according to manufacturer. Note: Due to personal inability, exactly one own photo of the test car remained. * grmpfl * Therefore the Mazda press photos in the article and no gallery to the test car.