Estate with a real sense of style

3:59pm Thursday 23rd October 2008

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AS the credit crunch bites and fuel remains pricey at the pumps, many motorists are turning away from the big and thirsty MPVs and 4x4s to settle for a roomy and practical estate.

With load-luggers like the Mazda 6, you also get strong driver appeal, excellent performance, economy and ride, topped by strikingly good looks.

This vehicle is an all-rounder for the family doing the school run, the company car driver notching up high mileages and the enthusiastic owner who wants plenty of driving fun.

The sporty hold-all is an established fleet and family favourite that got Mazda back on track after a torrid time some years ago. Since then, makers have shot up to the top of the tree with some outstanding models across their wide range.

The latest 6 also builds on Mazda’s reputation for quality and reliability that has brought notable success in customer satisfaction and reliability surveys.

The estate may not have the most cavernous boot on the market but it is very roomy, carrying up to 1,751 litres of baggage.

A party piece is the free-folding system for the seats. All you have to do is to pull a quick and simple release and fold the 60-40 split seats flat, leaving the cargo area free of intrusions and with a low-load floor.

There is a good choice of clean engines and specifications with on-the-road estate prices starting at £17,340 for the 2.0-litre petrol TS model.

The most expensive is the 2.0-litre diesel in Sport Luxury trim, which has an on-road price tag of £22,130.

When first considering this diesel the price does seem high. But when you take into account the wealth of standard equipment and the car’s latest technology, the price comes into perspective and compares favourably with its nearest rivals. It is actually very good value for money.

The diesel is becoming increasingly popular. The 2.0-litre pushes out 140PS at 3,500rpm and is coupled to a slick 6-speed manual gearbox which allows full exploitation of the eager motor with the sixth gear being particularly useful for economy and a relaxed ride on long, high-speed journeys.

After those long motorway trips, you are sure to arrive stress-free as the driver and occupants are well shielded from the hustle and bustle of the road noise thanks to some excellent insulation attention from Mazda.

Above all, the 6 shows that the estate can be a lot of things other than just a load lugger.

The sculptured slippery shape looks sporty and the car does have masses of grip, minimal body pitch, well-weighted and communicative steering and a supportive driver’s seat that prevents you sliding about. The overall effect is the feeling of handling something much smaller – which is the hallmark of a good vehicle.

To sell well, most vehicles have to look good and the 6 is armed with a sense of style that is missing from some rivals.

The interior puts on the style with an appearance far classier than the previous model. The cabin is thoughtfully and beautifully laid out, roomy, airy and easy to live with. It’s built to last and the solid shut of the doors also help convey the merit of durability.

As one might expect from Mazda, the 6 is at the forefront of safety and security features and possesses the latest technology, depending on the model.

The Bluetooth system, for instance, lets you use a Bluetooth-equipped mobile phone without taking your hands off the steering wheel or your eyes off the road.

At-a-glance.

Mazda 6 2.0-litre D Sport Luxury Estate.

Price: £22,130 (on the road).

Top speed: 123mph.

0-62mph: 10.9 seconds.

Fuel: 49.6mpg (combined figure).

CO2 emissions (g/km): 149.

Verdict: Practical and spacious, stylish, well built, performance with economy and fun to drive.