Mazda 6 Estate (2012 - 2023) 2.2d (175bhp) Sport Nav 5d Auto Owner Review

It drives and handles very nicely and has a decent turn of speed. The seats are very comfortable and fine for long journeys. Too much hard scratchy interior plastics. Opting for the 175 engine means having 19" wheels and they ruin the ride hard. Plus I object to this and other manufacturers making me pay extra to swop a spray can for a spare wheel - and a temporary one at that. The car has some irritating omissions: - no water temperature gauge - no restraining net for the cargo area with the rear seats down (the previous model estate did have). - no sunroof option; this is a Mazda marketing decision as this is available in other European markets. According to Mazda "there is no demand in the UK". They sell more convertible MX5's in the UK than any where else in Europe!!! I rest my case. It is impossible to look at the clock without taking the eyes off the road - it is low down in the dashboard. The performance of the infotainment is disappointing. The lack of a digital radio in a 2014 model is remarkable. The "European" satnav has its mapping on a 4MB SD card in which hardly any of Europe fits. I had to choose which section of Europe to keep when updating the mapping (at my cost). Now I am unable to update as not even one of the slices of Europe offered by TomTom fits on the card. The main dealer is as much in the dark about this issue as I am. Not very helpful. After a very expensive experience with a completely unreliable brand new MB E-class estate I switched to Mazda on the basis that it is "Japanese made in Japan". Its one great asset is its reliability. It's a pity about the poor marketing decisions.