With the Mazda 6 sedan leaving our shores to a parallel universe, it would be overwhelming to believe there could be a world where wagons would rule the streets. Instead of bulky SUVs that don't have the same driving dynamics. Europe still loves those wagons and continued selling them after the 2018 facelift. Making it one of the sexiest & affordable wagons you can get in Europe.
Fun Factor: 7
Mazda has become a sort of Japanese version of German luxury brands over the last few years. Some hints of this are shown in the sales of Mazda in Germany, outselling other Japanese brands such as Honda and close behind Toyota and Lexus combined. They are also dedicated to the European market, having a local Research and development team. This refinement is shown in how the Mazda 6 wagon handles and drives. It was a pure pleasure around small rural roads (can we find a different word) in Austria, which have an elevated speed and many sharp curves. This is where the Mazda 6 Wagon shines, with little body roll and liner acceleration. Even on the Autobahn in Germany on unrestricted stretches, the engine responded well up to 210 km/h. Above these speeds, the increases are incremental. The Mazda 6 had the most difficulty at altitude, a short drive over the Stelvio Pass (Stilfser Joch) in Italy and the Großglocknerstraße High Alpine road. It showed us that the naturally aspirated engine had limits compared to its European turbocharged counterparts.
Can it Family: 10
The real strong point of the Wagon is the amount of cargo room found in the trunk; the 506L available makes it essential for long road trips. We could even plug in a small fridge to keep our drink cool with the 12 Volt outlet in the trunk. And, yet, we still had space for our luggage. With the Homura trim, you get burgundy red seats that provide excellent support on long drives. The driver's seat is 10-way adjustable, and the passenger seat offers 6-way adjustments. You also get heated seats in the front and back. Front seats are also perforated and ventilated; they are quiet compared to others we have tested in higher-end vehicles. A small detail on the ventilated seats; instead of blowing air, it pulls air. This method works better than traditional ventilated car seats when humidity is high. Rear seating offers a good amount of legroom and ample headroom due to the wagon shape. Visibility for rear passengers could be better as rear windows are small, and passengers are seated relatively low. Finally, the manual liftgate is lightweight and easy to utilize.
HWY-warrior: 9
Under the hood of the Mazda 6 Wagon, you'll find a 2.5L inline 4 Skyactiv-G that makes 191hp and 186 lb-ft of torque and comes with a 6-speed automatic. This engine combo comes with the i-ELOOP (intelligent-Energy Loop). The system works similarly to a mild hybrid system, which uses regenerative engine braking to capture energy during coasting. It also uses cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy further. As a result, the Mazda 6 during our test saw some astonishing fuel consumption. Sport mode is well-balanced; even though it is one of the smallest transmissions on the market, it has been well-calibrated.
Fuel-Friendly: 7
During our test run of 2000km, fuel economy was 7.3L/100km, which is impressive considering that this fuel economy includes driving on unrestricted roads above 200km/h. Regular Hwy driving (speeds between 120-130 km/h) resulted in a fuel economy of 5.4L/100km, which is super for such a big vehicle. Cylinder deactivation automatically deactivates two cylinders when not needed, allowing for better results. On the flip side, the vibration and engine notes are more pleasing when all four cylinders are at work.
Karaoke Friendly: 7
The optional Bose system is satisfactory for this segment. It comes with 11 speakers and 2 USB-A plugs in front hidden in the central console and 2 in the back. And you still get an aux plug. Something that Mazda could remove in a 2022 model. As for the infotainment, it comes with an 8-inch screen that could be faster; luckily, for 2022, the vehicle is now equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has a dedicated placement for wireless charging.
Baby-friendly: 7
The rear doors open wide enough for easy access to kids. The same goes for getting car seats within the cabin. We were only able to fit two car seats on the back bench. The ISOFIX ports are easy to find, a plastic cover covers them, and the installation is easy. The top tether points are available in the back of all three seats. However, the middle seat seems too narrow for most car seats. as is often the case, using the rear-facing car seat will eat from the front passenger's legroom and limit their comfort.
City Cruising: 7
The vehicle is equipped with a 360-degree camera, pixilated, but it does the job. Suspension in an urban area is relatively smooth; it offers a sweet spot for people looking for something more mature in the comfort range. Surprisingly since the vehicle is equipped with 19-inch wheels, we would have expected a stiffer ride.
Why would we buy the Mazda 6 Touring, or what we liked about it?
Its the best value for families in the Mazda line up; its nicely equipped for the price. Good fuel economy overall. Sexy and functional design.
Why would we not buy the Mazda 6 Touring, or what did we not like about it?
It would be better with a Turbo or some sort of electrification. The infotainment screen is a bit small and the 360 camera feels pixelated.
To finish this review and open your appetite a little, here are some things we got to see and taste during our round trip.
Mazda has lent us this vehicle as a press vehicle. We have no affiliation with Mazda Canada and Mazda Europe. The above reflects our personal opinion.
