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Mazda's new 6 look fantastic. It doesn't have the same air of sophistication as, say, the Lexus IS250, but with bold curves, wide wheel arches and glitzy details - it makes for a brash alternative from a country full of dull sedans.

The first 6 was undoubtedly a success story. It's the car that set the standard in the mid-sized sedan segment. With a sporty but elegant exterior, fresh interior, marvellous chassis and two engine capacities - 2.0-litre and 2.3-litre with variable valve timing - it was the car to get for those who finds the BMW 3-series a far-fetched dream.

Besides the obvious cosmetic difference, the new 6 has something else up its sleeve - still available in two Mazda-developed MZR engines, the bigger 2.3-litre engine has been upsized to a 2.5-litre unit now. This new 6 has also "grown" - despite being built on the same platform as the first 6, it is now 10mm longer and 14mm wider, while the height remains the same at 1,440mm as before. Wheelbase was stretched too - previously at 2,675mm, it is now 2,725mm.

Exterior

Looking at the side profile, the 6 is carrying with it Mazda's current design language that consists of flared wheel arches upfront and smooth curves towards the rear - first seen on the RX-8, followed by the CX-7 and then the 2. And it works very well for the 6, as it gives a good mix of both sportiness and sophistication - something the likes of Camry and Accord won't be able to deliver. Not critical to some, but we opine the new headlamp and tail lamp cluster goes a long way in giving the 6?s looks department the extra edge.

This version we're testing here, the top end model bestowed "2.5 R Sedan" is by far, a complete sedan. There's nothing else to ask for, as it already comes straight from the factory with a sporty front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper with diffuser, rear lip spoiler, twin exhaust and that delicious looking 18-inch alloys wrapped in 225/45 R-18 Dunlop rubbers.

Interior

Fully-leathered interior, high grade plastics and impeccable build quality - it is impressive how much attention to details were given to the new 6's interior. It's obvious the engineers and designers have worked hard to achieve a quality like this, so much so if you were to compare the original 6 to this new 6, you'll notice the marginal difference in overall quality.

Both front seats are electrically adjustable, with the driver's having 3-memory setting as standard. Lateral and lumbar support is adequate for the driver's seat too, and once you've gotten the proper driving position, it feels dangerously similar to BMW's 3-series. Speaking of driver comfort, the 6 also comes with a nicely sized steering wheel that comes fitted with an assortment of controls - cruise control, audio controls, paddle shifters - you can find it all on the steering wheel! This new 6 also sees Mazda's first ever Human Machine Interface (HMI). Working like BMW's iDrive, Mazda's HMI links audio, climate control and display systems with coordinated operation that gives quick and intuitive operation.

By large, the 6's rear is comfortably spacious - it should be able to accommodate three adult passengers, and there will still be more than enough shoulder room. Mazda's design team has worked hard at improving the interior space, coming up with a great seating position for all occupants and more legroom. In fact, it's so spacious it made yours truly want to get a wife and start producing just to fill it with. Unfortunately, there's one complain to note though. The sloping roofline causes headroom to be limited, and this might pose a problem to anyone 1.8-metres and above.

Driving it

The 172bhp, 2,488cc unit is in the best traditions of Mazda's VVT-equipped MZR engine. With 228Nm worth of torque on tap at 4,000rpm, the 6 achieves the century sprint below 8.5 seconds and tops out at 208km/h, making it a wonderful engine both on the throttle and the ears now.

Gently squeeze the drive-by-wire throttle and power is delivered with only the tiniest grunt. Floor it, and you'll see everything start flying up - well, talking about the needles on the meters actually. Just don't expect frightening levels of sudden acceleration though, as that is not something the 6 is designed to do. Instead, it will do so in a coherent and refined manner - push it all the way to 5,000 rpm if you want and the engine will still go on strongly all the way to the 7,000rpm mark without a single hint of fatigue.

The 6's minor weakness is the manual mode. While its upshifts is adequately responsive, the downshift has the tendency to hold on to that certain gear for a split second longer than required, rev the engine up even when there?s no need to do so, then finally shift down to the selected gear. This little gremlin is a little unnerving, considering the overall sporty theme of the 6.

Handling it

The 6 comes with high-mount double-wishbone fronts and E-type multi-link rears, boasting tailored springing and damping rates. It is tuned to provide a nice amount of balance between handling response and ride comfort - although a tad on the hard side, but at least when rough or uneven roads are met, the 6 can absorb it all with ease.

Body-roll is kept at an all-time low, and this can be felt every single time a corner is taken enthusiastically. Point it at a corner and it just goes around, flat and fast - there's a remarkable level of grip and huge ground covering potential.

But it's relaxing too. You could happily cross the North-South Highway with the family aboard for the holidays, emerging still fresh and full of patience for any hyperactive children.

Sum up

A complete sedan, that's what this new 6 is. It is a much-improved version of its predecessor, and with that factory-fitted sunroof and premium Bose sound system, the 6 is a sweet deal. Well, if you're one of those sort who puts the Camry as the benchmark of Japanese executive sedan, then get ready to meet this new benchmark.

Technical Specification

Engine: 2,488cc, 4-cylinders in-line, VVT
Power: 169bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 226Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 9.5 seconds

Length / Width / Height: 4,735 / 1,795 / 1,440 mm
Wheelbase: 2,725 mm

Latest price with COE: $97,488

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