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Mazda 6 Tourer (2012 – 2022) Review

2019 Mazda 6 2.2d [184] Sport Nav+ 4dr Auto Mazda 6
2.2d [184] Sport Nav+ 4dr Auto
£16,305
View Mazda 6 cars for sale

Mazda 6 Tourer (2012 – 2022) At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The 6 Tourer is a well-built and practical family car with plenty of space. It's also one of best family estate cars on sale, with excellent handling, strong engines and a well-finished cabin.

+Great to drive with a well-finished cabin, comfortable and practical, huge improvements to refinement and steering from October 2016.

-Not quite the biggest load space, no hybrid option, 2.5 petrol is thirsty and expensive.

Insurance Groups are between 16–23
On average it achieves 77% of the official MPG figure

The Mazda 6 Tourer is the Japanese brand’s mid-sized estate car competitor, designed to take on key rivals like the Ford Mondeo Estate, the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer and the Volkswagen Passat Estate. Mazda has already enjoyed success with the saloon version of the 6, which combines a pretty exterior and strong driving dynamics with good value, and the Tourer version builds on this combination.

It might be more practical than the saloon but it retains that car’s impressive driving dynamics - it’s certainly an estate for buyers who still want to enjoy driving. Add to that the good specification and a quality interior, and the 6 Tourer has a broad appeal.

The Mazda 6 Tourer is exactly what you would expect from Mazda, who have been on something of a roll for several years, producing a sequence of impressive products.

The higher roofline means back row space is better in the Tourer than the saloon, with ample head and legroom even for adult occupants.

The boot has a volume of 506 litres, with a nice wide hatch and a flat floor, making it ideal for getting bulky items like pushchairs in and out. Folding the seats down frees up 1632 litres of space, which is competitive if not quite up there with the best in the class.

Inside the 6 Tourer continues to impress, with an attractive interior design and a good specification. There’s an easy-to-operate infotainment system and a low-key dashboard design that’s also finished in attractive materials; it might not match those of the Volkswagen Passat but it’s close enough to not make a massive difference.

The engine range is straightforward, with either a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2-litre diesel on offer, although unlike much of the competition the 6 Tourer isn’t available with a turbocharged petrol or hybrid powertrain.

The 2.0-litre petrol is available with 145PS or 165PS, while the diesel is offered with outputs of 150PS or 175PS. The petrol versions are capable and fairly economical and, in practice, there is little difference between the two diesel variants.

We’d recommend the 150PS diesel option for most buyers. At the top of the range is a 2.5-litre petrol, and while it offers more power and performance it is more expensive to buy and to fuel, and is not really worth the extra outlay.

To drive, the 150PS diesel is flexible and capable, with a broad spread of torque giving good performance on the road – yet it’s also economical. Official figures are 67.3mpg and while that might not be feasible in real world driving, fuel bills should still be very small for such a large and practical car.

The 6, whether in saloon or estate form, is a great car to drive, with precise, well-weighted steering, a satisfying gear change and a sense of nimbleness that belies the car’s size. The Mondeo might have been the most enjoyable driver’s car in its class in the past, but the Mazda6 has probably taken the crown now.

But competition is stiff. The Ford Mondeo matches the Mazda 6 in every key area, while the Volkswagen Passat Estate is more refined, has a more spacious and versatile load area. But the Mazda 6 Tourer is certainly worth a look – it’s practical, well-made cabin, stylish looks and excellent driving capabilities make it very appealing indeed.

What do owners think of the Mazda 6 Tourer (2012 – 2022)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Reviews for Mazda 6 Tourer (2012 – 2022)'s top 3 rivals

Skoda Superb
4/5
Boot capacity is massive. Limousine-like levels of passenger space. Refined driving experience favours...
Ford Mondeo Estate
4/5
Excellent blend of enjoyable driving and comfort. Spacious load area. Practical and well finished cabin.
Toyota Avensis
4/5
Comfortable and quiet on the move, economical diesels including 1.6-litre diesel, well built and durable.

Ask Honest John

How can I update Mazda's Gracenote system?

"Can you tell me how to update the Gracenote music system in my 2015 Mazda 6 Tourer?"
This official Mazda link shows the process to manually update the Gracenote system here. If followed correctly it should work: https://connect.mazda.com/en/support/gracenote_update/
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Best spacious used car?

"I'm looking for spacious, reliable used car with either fold down seats or a large boot. I do a lot of town driving with occasional long runs. I am looking for fuel economy but I am worried about the diesel particulate filter sooting up problem. If it is to be petrol, please suggest an economical, roomy, cheap but comfortable used car."
Without knowing your budget it's difficult to give you a clear answer. We'd gravitate towards a Skoda Octavia estate as an all-rounder, but the Fabia Estate might work for you depending on if it's big enough - it'll certainly be economical. Other recommendations include the Honda Accord Tourer, the Mazda 6 Tourer and the Toyota Avensis estate.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Can you recommend an SUV or estate car that can carry ladders?

"My 2014 2.0-litre diesel auto BMW 5 Series falls foul of the clean air zone (CAZ) requirements. It's been my third 5 Series, used for my work as a surveyor. The rear seats fold to accommodate my ladders and other long equipment. I'm looking to replace it with a CAZ compliant vehicle that fulfills the role. My motoring is a mixture of local journeys and longer runs of up to 300 miles round trips, including the London area. I have got used to a larger car, and automatic is a must. I'm not wedded to BMW and would consider something cheaper but of decent quality, finish and accessories. Comfortable seats and a quiet cabin are desirable. I have always preferred lighter coloured interior upholstery. I have tended to buy used cars at about 3 years old. An initial search suggested a Ford Mondeo estate, but I am aware that the fashion is now for the SUV type of vehicle, and I'm not a fan of estate cars, though I would consider one. Can you suggest a few alternatives that I might consider? My budget is flexible but, if my car is worth about £6,000, I would not wish to add much more that £14,000-£16,000 to that."
The issue with SUVs is that they may not be long enough to accommodate your equipment, unless you go for something large such as a Kia Sorento or BMW X5/Audi Q7. Other options we would be considering are the Volkswagen Passat or Skoda Superb Estate, the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, the Volvo V90 and the Mazda 6 Tourer. A Skoda Kodiaq may also fulfill your needs but again isn't as long as the estate cars here.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

What's the best petrol estate for £10,000?

"I am keen to buy a mid to large petrol estate, good to drive, room for four adults and gear. I do 5k to 8k miles a year - mixed town and country and want something with a perky modern and economical engine. Would a Mondeo 1.5T EcoBoost do? Or something else to consider? I can spend around £10k."
A Mondeo sounds like a reasonable choice if you can find a petrol one. Our money would go on a Mazda 6 but test drive one first - its 2.0-litre petrol engine might not appeal if you're after a small, turbocharged unit. Also consider a Honda Civic Estate - it's smaller but very practical and should be reliable.
Answered by Andrew Brady
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