Mazda Australia has launched the new-look, 2018 Mazda6. It showcases a suave new design, improved refinement, and it’s available with a turbo-petrol engine for the first time since the old MPS variant from over 10 years ago.
Yes, the new Mazda6 is finally available with a potent engine. While most of the rivals have been available with a 170kW-plus engine for a while, such as the 191kW Subaru Liberty, the 177kW Ford Mondeo, and even the 224kW V6 Toyota Camry, the Mazda6 has been left behind.
For the 2018 model buyers can option for the company’s 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder, first seen in the CX-9. It produces 170kW and 420Nm, giving the 6 a stronger force in the tough medium-size car segment. Like all variants and engine options, it comes paired with a six-speed automatic with front-wheel drive.
In other variants, buyers are offered an updated 2.5-litre non-turbo unit that now produces 140kW and 252kW (up from 138kW/250Nm), or an updated twin-turbo 2.2-litre diesel, first seen in the updated CX-5, that now develops 140kW and 450Nm (up from 129kW/420Nm).
The new lineup spans across four main trim levels, ranging from the Sport, Touring, GT, to the top Atenza. All showcase a new-look front end with a sophisticated mesh grille, relocated fog lights and new headlights, and a revised rear bumper bar and new taillights.
Mazda says it has made a number of big enhancements to improve refinement and comfort, with increased sound deadening materials helping to reduce noise, vibration and harshness levels (NVH). There’s also some elegant new materials inside, including UltraSuede trim, Japanese Sen wood highlights, and aluminium garnishes, depending on the variant.
Wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches, all alloy, while all variants are packed with a heap of standard safety features including radar cruise control, and the i-ActiveSense safety suite with autonomous emergency braking. The top Atenza adds a 360-degree parking camera system and TFT digital instrument cluster.
The new range is on sale now from the following prices (excluding on-road costs). Head over to our first-drive review for more details.
Sedan
2018 Mazda6 Sport 2.5L – $32,490
2018 Mazda6 Touring 2.5L – $36,690
2018 Mazda6 Touring 2.2TD – $39,690
2018 Mazda6 GT 2.5T – $43,990
2018 Mazda6 GT 2.2TD – $45,090
2018 Mazda6 Atenza 2.5T – $47,690
2018 Mazda6 Atenza 2.2TD – $48,790
Wagon
2018 Mazda6 Sport 2.5L – $33,790
2018 Mazda6 Touring 2.5L – $37,990
2018 Mazda6 Touring 2.2TD – $40,990
2018 Mazda6 GT 2.5T – $45,290
2018 Mazda6 GT 2.2TD – $46,390
2018 Mazda6 Atenza 2.5T – $48,990
2018 Mazda6 Atenza 2.2TD – $50,090
