Mid-life styling and technical updates are a given in the car industry, but how do you tweak something that is already pretty fundamentally well sorted? Very carefully is the answer, and if you have to look more than twice to spot the differences between the new and old Mazda 6 models, chances are the Japanese manufacturer wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Mazda calls this approach, "refined maturity". Aesthetically, the 6 is already a winner, with its smooth lines and restrained detailing sitting well with more aggressive elements like the slit headlamps and pointy nose. Mazda's designers focused on subtle improvements rather than more drastic, and unnecessary sheetmetal changes. There's a gently resculpted front bumper, a new grille with a honeycomb mesh insert, and headlamp elements set in a dark surround. The tail lamps have also received the same treatment.

The interior of a 6 has always been a nice place to be, with plenty of head and legroom all round, and generally imparting a feeling of expansive airiness. The facelifted 6 gets new interior trim and a veritable plethora of standard kit. The materials used throughout are all of very good quality, save for a few brittle feeling buttons. But that's easily overlooked, given how many goodies the company's packed in.

Our test car came with a leather interior, climate control, a trip computer, an integrated stereo with a built-in six-CD changer, satellite controls for the same on the steering wheel, and cruise control to boot. Throw in the standard-fit five-spoke factory alloys and the new 6 represents plenty of car for the money.

In addition to tweaking the bits that you can actually see, Mazda has also worked on the bits that you can't. The 2.0-litre engine in the test car is a newly developed unit, it features a variable length intake manifold as well as variable valve timing technology. Mazda has also seen fit to include a new five-speed automatic gearbox, replacing the old car's four-speeder, the new gearbox also comes with a tiptronic manual override.

The 6's suspension continues with double-wishbones up front and a multi-link rear axle, but Mazda has stiffened the chassis to enhance the 6's already impressive handling characteristics. Turn-in is crisp and the amount of grip available is far greater than the initial body roll would lead you to believe. The steering is nicely weighted and very quick, too, so fans of the 6's dynamics won't have anything to worry about. Mazda has also packed the 6 with plenty of extra insulation, so refinement is significantly improved over the old car.

The new gearbox is similarly quick, and in manual mode at least, Mazda seems to have opted to sacrifice some shift slur for outright speed, great for the boy racer in all of us. As a result, full throttle gear changes are accompanied by a hefty thump as the transmission rams home the next ratio as quickly as it can manage. Drive sanely, and this isn't really a problem.

The 2.0-litre engine develops 149bhp and 187Nm of torque, and while the unit in our test car proved to be pretty smooth, it didn't rev quite as freely as expected. That said, it was still very tight, having only covered a couple hundred kilometres. This should improve as it loosens up, and in any event, once you're on the move, the 6 picks up steam with plenty of vigour.

So in conclusion, the 6 is better equipped, quieter, and more refined, which is all just icing on the cake really. The most significant thing to be thankful of is the fact that Mazda's left all the good bits alone.

NEED TO KNOW

Mazda 6 2.0 (A)
Engine type: 1,999cc 16v in-line four
Max Power: 149bhp at 6,500rpm
Max Torque: 187Nm at 4,000rpm
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Top speed: 201km/h
0-100km/h: 11.2 seconds
Price: $81,988 with COE
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km
Contact Mazda Singapore at 6395-8888

Similar cars we have driven

Subaru Legacy 2.0 (A) $88,500 with COE
Like the 6, the Legacy is no bad looker, and it excels in the handling department. The Legacy's four-cylinder boxer engine is silky smooth and you also get added peace of mind in the form of Subaru's much vaunted asymmetrical all-wheel drive system.