If there ever was such a spectrum as fun versus practicality for mainstream automobile brands, Mazda traditionally lay somewhere towards the former - prioritising fun over practicality while still offering enough of the latter to avoid complete uncertainty.
Introduced in 2013, the Mazda6 has recently been given some light revisions that keep it fresh in the face of rivals such as the Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry and the upcoming Volkswagen Passat.
Will the facelifted Mazda6 carry on the lineage?
Up close and Personal
Inspired by the Japanese carmaker's 'KODO: Soul Of Motion' design philosophy, the Mazda6 is a work of art and this facelift plays to the car's strength.
A subtly restyled grille with signature chrome wing design build on the already sleek look, with new LED headlamps and added daytime running lights.
These additions combine with swooping front wings, an arching roofline and a high-set tail end give the car a dynamic look that helps it stand out among the rest.
While the car looks much the same from the outside, the interior has been overhauled to become more upmarket than before.
A conventional stereo display with knobs and buttons has made way for a tablet-like 7.0-inch touchscreen that sits up high and takes its pride of place on a sleeker dashboard now clad in leather.
This said screen houses the same MZD Connect multimedia system seen in the Mazda2 and Mazda3, and is user-friendly for drivers with its easily accessed functions and bright, clear graphics.
The driving position is almost spot-on, but shorter drivers like this writer here will need to adjust the seat height to get a full view of another new feature - a head-up display.
The Drive
Producing 189bhp and 256Nm of torque, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is carried over from before and is no bad thing since it supplies plenty of punch across its smooth rev range.
The six-speed automatic continues to be the star of the show, pretty much perfect the way it intuitively grabs gears to keep the 1,513kg sedan on the ball. There is also a Sport mode for the auto now, which keeps the engine revving harder.
Apart from that, Mazda has taken the opportunity to introduce some of its most advanced active safety technology in the form of driver aids.
Some of these systems are usually found in premium cars such as the Lane Departure Warning System, which gently nudges the steering wheel if it detects the car wandering out of lane. Also new is the Blind Spot Monitoring system that makes it more convenient for lazy drivers.
As before, the electric power assisted steering remains largely direct and enjoyable. It is quick, well-weighted and provides decent feedback to the driver.
Producing 189bhp and 256Nm of torque, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine is carried over from before and is no bad thing since it supplies plenty of punch across its smooth rev range.
The six-speed automatic continues to be the star of the show, pretty much perfect the way it intuitively grabs gears to keep the 1,513kg sedan on the ball. There is also a Sport mode for the auto now, which keeps the engine revving harder.
Apart from that, Mazda has taken the opportunity to introduce some of its most advanced active safety technology in the form of driver aids.
Some of these systems are usually found in premium cars such as the Lane Departure Warning System, which gently nudges the steering wheel if it detects the car wandering out of lane. Also new is the Blind Spot Monitoring system that makes it more convenient for lazy drivers.
As before, the electric power assisted steering remains largely direct and enjoyable. It is quick, well-weighted and provides decent feedback to the driver.
The suspension setup is also notably softer, which helps suppress large imperfections and better deal with quicker changes in the road surfaces.
But while the changes have added a new dimension to the Mazda6, they haven't upset its sharp responses or light-footed demeanour. Round the bends, the car handles well and is eager to change direction, with the nimble feel of smaller-sized car.
Conclusion
The improvement that Mazda has made to its mid-sized sedan has stepped up the levels of luxury and refinement to another level, making the car almost appear like a packed European sedan for much less.
With the sort of advanced technology, a punchy engine, competitive dynamics, improved refinement and a higher quality interior, we can see where the Mazda6 is headed for generations to come.
