Mazda6

Mazda6 at a glance

The first Mazda6 was in effect the seventh generation of the Mazda 626 and part of Mazda's "G" model family. According to WapCar, about 3 million were produced over 22 years, 226,437 of them sold in Japan by December 2023. Other Mazda models are on our Mazda brand page.

Generations

Power figures are the European versions listed by ADAC. North America had different engines, including a 3.0 V6 in the first generation and a 2.5 four and 3.7 V6 in the second.

GG/GY (2002-2008)

Production started in February 2002. In Germany the saloon, hatchback and estate arrived in June 2002 with a 1.8 of 88 kW (120 PS), a 2.0 of 104 kW (141 PS), a 2.3 of 122 kW (166 PS) and the 2.0 CD diesel with 89 kW (121 PS) or 100 kW (136 PS). The September 2005 facelift raised the 2.0 to 108 kW (147 PS) and brought a 2.0 CD with a particulate filter and up to 105 kW (143 PS). The Mazda6 MPS (Mazdaspeed6 in North America) used a 2.3-litre turbo with 191 kW (260 PS) in Europe and 380 Nm in all markets. The first Mazda6 finished second in the 2003 European Car of the Year.

GH (2007-2013)

The second generation, built from August 2007, used a modified version of the first-generation chassis and a 2,725 mm wheelbase. German sales began in February 2008 with the 1.8 (88 kW), 2.0 (108 kW / 147 PS), 2.5 (125 kW / 170 PS) and a 2.0 CD diesel of 103 kW (140 PS). From November 2008 a 2.2 CD diesel replaced it in three outputs: 92, 120 and 136 kW (125, 163 and 185 PS). After the 2010 facelift ADAC lists a 2.0 DISI direct-injection petrol with 114 kW (155 PS) and the 2.2 CD with 95, 120 and 132 kW (129, 163 and 180 PS). What Car? named it Family Car of the Year in 2010.

GJ (2012-2024)

The third generation was unveiled on 29 August 2012 as a saloon; the estate followed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and the hatchback was dropped. It was the first Mazda6 with Skyactiv engines and a finalist for the 2013 World Car Design of the Year. ADAC separates three stages: the original car (2013-2015), a first facelift (2015-2018) and a second facelift (2018-2024). Japanese production ended in mid-April 2024; ADAC's German listings run to December 2024.

Engines and performance of the GJ

Most GJ engines could be ordered with a manual gearbox or the six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic; in Germany the 2.5 came only with the automatic. The 2018 update gave the 2.5 petrol cylinder deactivation, which switches it from four to two cylinders between about 40 and 80 km/h (25-50 mph), and raised the diesel to 135 kW. ADAC's German price lists show no diesel after February 2021; the last cars were petrol only. You can convert any of these outputs with our power converter.

Dimensions and space

Unusually, the GJ estate rides on a shorter wheelbase than the saloon, 80 mm less, and is 60 mm shorter overall. Boot volumes are not given in the sources we used, so we leave them out.

Running costs and prices

Official consumption figures are not part of the sources we used, so we do not quote them; the 2.2 diesel was the obvious choice for high mileage until it was dropped in 2021. For German list prices ADAC gives:

• GG, June 2002: from EUR 20,400 (1.8 Comfort saloon).
• GH, February 2008: from EUR 23,990 (1.8 Comfort).
• GJ, February 2013: from EUR 24,990 (2.0 Skyactiv-G 145 Prime-Line saloon).
• GJ, December 2022: from EUR 35,000 (same engine) up to EUR 50,750 for the 2.5 20th Anniversary saloon.

Our cost of ownership calculator adds fuel, insurance and depreciation to these figures.

Trims and equipment

German trims for the GJ were Prime-Line, Center-Line, Exclusive-Line and Sports-Line, later joined by the Homura, Takumi and 20th Anniversary editions in 2022-2024. In the UK, the 2018 facelift came as SE-L Nav+, SE-L Lux Nav+, Sport Nav+ and GT Sport Nav+, with the i-Activsense safety pack on every version: blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, radar cruise control, lane-keep assist and Advanced Smart City Brake Support. UK prices started at GBP 23,045 in 2018, about EUR 26,000 at the time.

Safety

Euro NCAP gave the GJ Mazda6 five stars in 2013 with 92% for adult occupants, 77% for child occupants, 66% for pedestrians and 81% for safety assist. In the tougher 2018 protocol the facelifted car again earned five stars, with 95% adult, 91% child, 66% vulnerable road users and 73% safety assist. The earlier generations were tested by ANCAP in Australia; we did not find their Euro NCAP scores in our sources.

Reliability and known issues

Our sources contain no recall lists or fault data for the Mazda6, so we do not list typical problems here. For a used GJ diesel, a full service history matters, as the 2.2 Skyactiv-D was withdrawn from German price lists in 2021.

Rivals

Use the comparison tool for exact figures of each version.

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