Mazda6 2.2D Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Mazda6 2.2D
Prices: £18,065-£23,445 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-13
Emissions: 138-142g/km
Performance: [2.2D 182bhp] 0-60mph 8.7s / Max Speed 135mph
Fuel Consumption: [2.2D 128bhp] (combined) 54mpg
Safety: Twin front, window & side airbags, DSC, ABS, traction control.
Dimensions: Length/Width/Height, 4735/17954/1440mm

Diesel Purity

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It used to be that the only place you would find good quality diesels that offered both power and purity were in the more expensive family hatches and more often than not these cars came from German car makers. With advancements in diesel technologies quality diesel engines are popping up in affordable family hatches like the Mazda6 2.2D. There are other engine choices in the ?6? line-up, but this diesel will most likely prove to be the best selling engine.

Under the bonnet of the Mazda6 2.2D is an advanced common-rail diesel engine that includes a variable geometry turbocharger and high pressure fuel injector. These technologies allow for the car to get excellent response from the engine when needed, but also allows the engine to run efficiently when the driver is running along at a normal pace. The 2.2D can be had in power production of 128bhp, 161bhp and 178bhp. The smallest engine can get the car from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds while the largest does it in 8.7 seconds. Those numbers put it at the top of the acceleration charts in the family car class.

Mazda is offering the 2.2-litre diesels under the bonnet of three trim variations called; TS, TS2 and Sport. Buyers who opt for the TS level get 16-inch alloys, cruise control, a trip computer and dual zone climate control. If they chose to step it up to the TS2 Mazda tosses in 17-inch alloys, Bluetooth, parking sensors, front fog lamps and something called the Rear Vehicle Monitoring System which help notify the driver items in their blind spot. At the Sport trim level Mazda adds keyless entry, a bit of leather trim, B-Xenon headlights, some extra styling and a Bose stereo.

This particular engine can be had in either the 5-door hatchback version of the even more family friendly estate. Both versions will easily seat five normal sixed adults and still leave room for 510-litres of space in the boot of the hatchback. The Mazda6 hatch or estate come standard with 60/40 spilt seats that lay flat to allow for even more boot space at 1,702-litres. That number jumps to 1,751-litre in the estate models.

Of course most people understand that at the price level that cars like this are offered they are not going to compare to the likes of BMW or Volvo. But this is Mazda and their engineers have focused a lot of their attention on making sure the car feels and drives good. They have included a fully independent suspension and made a few changes to the older version to increase stability and overall grip. They have also made the car longer, taller and wider without adding any extra weight. They external re-design also allows for better aerodynamics which led to lower wind noise inside the cabin.

While the other engines offered in the 6 models are all adequate at the very least is the Mazda6 2.2D that will turn the heads of all sorts of drivers. Rarely does a car that cost as little as this one does come with such an outstanding engine under the bonnet. Even if the buyer opts for the smaller power plant they will impress anyone who drives with them.