Mazda 6 Wagon 2021 review | a great SUV alternative? | Chasing Cars

[@timmarks8941]

A credit to Mazda designers that the 6 still looks modern 9 years later.

[@73willyg]

Just imagine what they could do if they redesigned it.

[@timmarks8941]

@@73willyg yeah they could make it look amazing. And all the wagon needs is a bigger boot. I looked at one a month ago and ended up buying something else for the bigger boot.

[@mharro88]

not really

[@GreatGrandmasterWang]

Because the new mazda design still looks the same

[@ArcturusAlpha]

its makes sense when you keep the design simple and mature. all these hondas that look like transformers are not what we want.

[@keithck3720]

Absolute shame we never got this in North America. Beautiful wagon.

[@scotthoward5114]

This car has aged very well and looks classy still. The interior has definitely improved and is of very high quality. That it’s such a great thing to drive is the icing on the cake. Well done Mazda. Thank you, Ponch, for a very good review.

[@gonzoswitters]

I have to say, having watched this review about 10 times now - Nathan Ponchard has hit this sweet spot where he’s working a perfect mix of trustable car knowledge and dude you’d love to have a beer with. If you drink beer. Maddeningly, I can’t decide between the relatively conservative Mazda 6 wagon, or the happiness-inducing Kia Stinger GT, so I have to repeat-watch these reviews. Thanks for the brilliant content guys.

[@Rhetbabemagnet]

What did you end up buying mate?

[@JasonMcGrice]

Imagine a Kia Stinger Wagon 😱😍

[@dwade3202]

Cant wait for mazdas new rwd platform with inline 6 engines petrol AND diesel engines, love mazda for doing it.

[@jeremylongton2879]

I just bought a 2023 model GT, they have added wireless CarPlay, charging mat, and more blacked out accents! Beautiful car to drive, practical and engaging!

[@autonewstv86]

I have a 05 Mazda 6 wagon and love it.. Too bad Mazda won't bring the wagons back to the USA..

[@stephenhendricks103]

Not only won't Mazda bring the wagon to the USA, they've announced the end of the Mazda6 in the US. Period.

[@deet4895]

@@stephenhendricks103 it's coming back don't you worry. 😊

[@stephenhendricks103]

@@deet4895 Don't bet the farm on that, my friend. The midsize sedan market isn't exactly a hot ticket in terms of sales and the Mazda6 is the worst selling example in the entire category. Hopes and expectations for Mazda always abound but the company has unfortunately earned its reputation for failing to deliver on those rumors.

[@deet4895]

@@stephenhendricks103 I hear what your saying, but I do hope it comes back in a new and improved way with all the good we've been hearing about. I have a 2015 Mazda 6 GT and I absolutely love it, I do like what the brand have been doing in recent years and I would like to stay with the brand for another car, but if they fail to deliver with the new Mazda 6 I will be leaving the brand. I do not want an SUV.

[@peterjansen7854]

Bought the sports wagon nov2023 fantastic car Australia

[@geoffburdon5309]

I bought my Mazda 6 Atenza in September 2018 and still love it. Great car to drive around town but even better on long country roads.

[@andrewd7586]

I’ve had a couple of SUV’s over the last 5 years, one the 2015 Merc GLC. I wasn’t overly impressed & traded it in for a 2017 Skoda Superb 4WD 206kw wagon. I’d never go back to an SUV! The Mazda is, as you said Ponch, holding up well.👍🏼

[@Subh8081]

Wagon should have been the default family car instead of SUV. I own a sedan for my office runs (Skoda Octavia style) and a wagon (Volvo V60) for the family. Never understood the craze for SUV except among those off-roading.

[@andrewd7586]

@@Subh8081 I remember when wagons were! When my kids were young I had a Volvo 740GL. Fantastic BUS!🤣👍🏻

[@ababoguy]

Driving a 2016 mazda 6 estate. Love this car. Roomy, slick, and a great family car.

[@hey_samuel]

I own a 2014 Mazda 6 wagon. Bought second hand but lovely car. Was won over to buy a wagon vs SUV after watching this channel.

[@chasingcars]

So glad to hear that.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great review NP and glad the 6 wagon is here as an alternative to cross over silliness :) 👍

[@ivant9480]

shame about the armrest not sliding forward, like it does in my 2014 model !

[@unaluv88]

The roof grab for the driver is when an person needs some grab on assistence (because of health condition e.g.) when getting out of the car and in the car.

[@NathanCelica]

i'm a massive Toyota fan and recently bought a 2008 Mazda 6 due to lack of interesting alternatives at Toyota. My next car will defenitly be another Mazda 6! The build quality, handling, space, comfort and reliability (apart from the CD-changer) are on par if not better than Toyota!

[@Zoranurai13]

The mazda6 just needs a small facelift. Just a similar look to the cx60 with a more angular grill. Get rid of the chrome bar on the back and update the infotainment system/digital gauges. Thats all this car needs for a 2024 option

[@Michael_Mears]

15:10 Wait, what? Rear-wheel drive, in-line six for 2023? Looking forward to that.

[@peterloncar9306]

Apparently the in-line six Mazda 6 is not coming to USA or Aust...shame!

[@b-roc-au]

People need to realise wagons don't suppress noise as well as their sedan counterparts as boot area exposed

[@wadenicoll686]

Love your delivery style Mr Ponchard ✅👍

[@Kenzo9063]

I feel that having AWD like what the JDM ones have would be great

[@oi32df]

So much nicer and more efficient than any cx series suv they send us to north america .

[@Applejack1396]

I really wish I could get this body style in the United States. It looks so much better than the sedan

[@cat_luver16]

I wish they had the Mazda 6 wagon in the US, they discontinued the sedan in 2021 and now all we have is the 3 (which I have)

[@TenzWang88]

So when they going to upgrade their best selling Crossover Cx5. Cx5 interior outdated and cargo space need to improve

[@slugger7440]

Just don't know why they haven't brought the new infotainment system to the 2021 6. Give it that, a panoramic roof and keep the diesel and it would be near perfect. Kudos for giving proper detail about the Bose stereo. Few reviewers do.

[@ArcturusAlpha]

some of us like smaller entertainment consoles. i agree some of it needs an update but please dont make it look like modern subaru consoles. they look like a giant kids toy and its so ugly. what mazda needs is a slightly bigger screen that retracts away. anything more would ruin the beautiful design.

[@Wilhelm22]

A tickle of the ecu, a larger turbo & intercooler, some bigger front brakes and slightly larger exhaust would make this thing go from outstanding to near-perfect.

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

Or completely ruin the handling/performance balance. This platform was not originally intended for turbo power, hence the need to go for a tune more for torque and modulated power. Otherwise the car would loose all its refinement.

[@oldmanstumpie1061]

Sport mode is brilliant alright. I tried using the paddles but they are useless. They are too small and the delay is too long between shifts causing over-revving. The sport mode just knows exactly when to change down and keeps the revs in the right range for a punchy corner exit. Wagons are the best, kayaks on the roof, bikes on the back and the dog in the back. Sweeet!

[@WUStLBear82]

It wouldn't have sold well, but I wish it had been sold in the USA for a while, because it was perfect for me. BTW, the funny word for the console cover is "tambour". "Jalousie" is individual slats that swivel open, as in venetian blinds, shutters, or porch windows

[@usbsol]

Loving my mazda 6 wagon from 2005 😄

[@nebulabob]

Wow, I didn't even know that Mazda made a wagon version. I would buy one in a heartbeat if they were available here in Canada.

[@converdis449]

Another great and detailed review 👏 totally agree with your views and can’t wait for the RWD straight line 6

[@mybarnjwalker8428]

The station wagon Mazda 6 starts way before what this author says. I own a 2007 model, refreshed and still gr8!

[@dcyap2]

Nathan had me at "jalousie". Learn something new everyday! ;)

[@JamesZ888]

I wish they could have done more for the gt sp like chrome delete for example

[@coldude2559]

Let's just hope whatever is going to replace it is just as good and even better...

[@jeanpeup]

Timeless design.

[@lovre93]

I love everything about my mazda 6 but the only place where it really shows its age is in the 360 cameras. They are absolute crap. Everything else is spot on. Dont mind the old infotainment because all the new cars have just touch screens that are impossible to use while driving. It is just a drivers kind of a car

[@topher.m]

I love the Mazda 6 wagon but the black wheels on this model with chrome accents looks a bit odd.

[@96libertytt]

I trust Nathan to give me a no bullshit review :-)

[@joele4197]

Good review and great car, recently bought the 2021 GT SP wagon (machine grey), now I just have to wait 3 months for it to arrive (I suppose better than waiting 12 months for a Toyota to arrive).. Compared to various SUVs but they just don't drive as well, neither did the Subarus (though if I needed off road they would win), only other options were expensive as hell Europeans or the Skoda Octavia which is only slightly more expensive but I had one of them and (1) diesel-gate killed the value of it which pissed me off (though I did get a class action payout) and (2) I had persistent electrical issues (electrical steering failures, sometimes whilst driving) that V.A.G. never managed to fix so never buying one of their cars ever again...

[@electrosec]

Hi I assume you received your car by now? Are you happy with it? Thanks.

[@bryangrose5490]

Really enjoyed watching your report.

[@chasingcars]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mantinyu2733]

Need help! Should I go for touring 2.5 or GT SP 2.5T

[@777tillinfinity]

Anyone know if the wagon will come out 4wd?

[@johnedds2327]

Great review, and an excellent family or personal vehicle.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks! 👍

[@injustifiiable]

I wish we had these in the US!

[@andrewnolan180]

If Mazda were to release the wagon as a limited edition, final year only in the US, they would sell out of whatever they shipped to the US.

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

That actually would be a smart way for Mazda to ship a few cars that from an engineering point of view that have paid for themselves years ago. Of course Mazda US would then have to keep spares for the wagon and they would probably baulk at that.

[@club1fan552]

If the original Beetle, Mini and Citroen DS can go on for years and years with few changes then Mazda should be O.K. with the 6.

[@mannyt9271]

So any news on whether the 2023 wagon will have a straight line 6 and RWD option available?

[@howec4388]

2024 and no news.

[@hagdore]

I have the Mazda 6 GT SP, but as sedan. While I like the car a lot and I'm very happy with its performance and reliability, I'm disappointed that there are a few additional features we don't get here that the North American market does (where it's known as the "Carbon Edition"). What we don't get as standard that they do is the rear lip/spoiler, sunroof, heated steering wheel, and cooled driver and front passenger seats. Not happy, Mazda Australia.

[@chasingcars]

It’s just a different lineup with different product planning. Mazda Australia and Mazda North America don’t talk on a regular basis. They both make their own calls. Our Atenza gets those features minus the lip spoiler (and possibly heated wheel - I don’t remember).

[@mrnicktoyou]

If you have little kids, you need an SUV. But as the kids get older I will consider a sedan/wagon again. This car looks nice.

[@greensabr200]

I have a 22 mazda3 MT here in the states. But damn if they made the 6 with a MT and as a wagon goddamn Mazda can have my money

[@generaldamage3282]

I’m betting when they finally update , the new Mazda 6 will be amazing. Shouldn’t be too far off. As normal FWD only is a big turn off for me on this model.

[@777tillinfinity]

Thinking same! This in 4wd would be great!

[@donew1thita11]

I'm pretty sure it got discontinued

[@alphillips5478]

Atenza owners might take exception to your suggestion the ''GT'' is the top of line

[@blizzliftie]

I'm excited!

[@therealjeffg]

Great review, thanks

[@chasingcars]

Thanks for watching!

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

The ACCC just had a stoush with Mazda in Court (mazda got fined) about customer care ie lack of care and misleading behavior. i hope Mazda has lifted their game a tad!!!!!!

[@aggreyshiundu6090]

Great review

[@jonmuir13]

They better bring the inline 6 wagon to the usa

[@niallflynn1094]

If your thinking getting the diesel 2.2 model research mazda 2.2 diesel engine and let the horror unfold. Engine failure is common at very low miles due to an engineering fault. Avoid the diesel at all costs.

[@laptech3767]

It does not look too bad

[@Rally4Life1982]

So basically Mazda's are going to become less fuel efficient soon due to their efforts in chasing BMW? Also the boot space would be much better if they lost the long snout like the CX9!

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

Its FWD, that engine bay is full, they couldn't shorten it.

[@Flaming-Hedgehog]

108kW/t on 91 RON getting 7.6 L/100km (combined ) is pretty good going. Looks great in black. Curious tho... What can a similar powered SUV do any better than this wagon? A quick search and I can't find an SUV under $50K that can match this.

[@rjbiker66]

But they didn't get 7.6. They got nearly 2l/100km more I their testing

[@lkj17]

they had 10.5

[@letsseeif]

Nice car and fine review. One Question. Has NVH been conquered yet?

[@jjchockey]

Yes! One of if not the quietest cars in the class. Very quite and refined ride. Fantastic car.

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

Much better then Mazda's of old. Not leading class, but certainly a lot easier to live with. Ride is also very good on this model. Swallows up imperfections in the road very well, especially if you go for the lower Touring or Sport specs that have 17 inch wheels. LED head lights are another stand out with excellent high beam (another traditional Mazda weakness). They auto dim very well and the radar cruise is much better tuned then the Toyota fleet cars I drive.

[@masterpolir6145]

mine is terribly loud at highway speed, 2014 2.0 107kw, petrol. anyone else too?

[@davegross7014]

Sigh. So beautiful. Now…if it was AWD and a fully EV…….

[@BryanChance]

How can that car be almost 9 years old when you say the heater knob debut in 2018?

[@pauljanssen438]

I just bought this exact car in the polymetal grey. This colour works really well with the black wheels and mirrors. The interior is really special, especially the heated burgundy leather seats. The Bose sound system is really good. It's not the last word on thumping bass, but overall it renders a clear, detailed and immersive sound. I agree with Ponch that the infotainment screen is dated (I had the same display, although slightly smaller, on my 2016 Mazda 3). The full colour heads up display is great - large and easy to read with useful information (digital speedo, traffic/speed signs, cruise control info, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and navigation). All four door pockets can hold a 1.25L bottle. The car drives really nicely with plenty of low rev torque and ample power to cart my family and gear around. We're musos, so the cargo space works well for us. There's plenty of room for an electric bass and amp with the seats up and with the seats down, we can easily fit a full size drum kit in here. There's lot of other noteworthy features, but overall this car is well worth considering if you're in the market for a wagon that's both practical and fun to drive.

[@arad907]

Hi guys, thanks for great test. Although I love mazda3, we are planning to have a kid, So, I am concerned to go with 3. As I watched your test, realized 3 would be to small and 6 is the right one for us. Just I am kind of confused about buying the turbo or not. I like more power but I want a reliable car. I am a safe driver and don’t need a fast car, I just want a decent car which act good on highways too. What would be your suggestion for me?

[@EnShinNoi]

The non-turbo is plenty powerful enough for merging and overtaking, especially for a safe driver. If anybody feels a 2.5L engine is underpowered for everyday driving, that's on them for not knowing their car well enough. It's not needed and uses more petrol. Not to mention, there is a massive price jump for the turbo. If it were an extra $3000 to option in then sure, heavily consider it but it's not. It's an extra $8k-$12k depending on which trim you're wanting to upgrade from and by that point, the amazing value of the Mazda6 is gone. Unless you desperately want 19 inchers (which look no better on this vehicle, cost more to replace and are a less comfortable ride) or heated seats (for that one cold week of the year) it's a waste of money.

[@arad907]

@@EnShinNoi You’re absolutely right. I think the sweet spot is Touring trim. I was feeling foolish for not liking the turbo, since most reviewers keep saying Mazda6 was underpowered back then. I hate 19, because it makes the ride harsher, I am glad someone thinks like me. I thought, I am the only one who thinks 17 inch is the best size. And as you said, heated seat is an option for other countries such as Canada. I quite believe ventilated seats are blessed for Australia. In fact, Toyota was pretty smart by adding This option to the Camry SL and it is the only reason sometimes I begin considering Camry instead Mazda6. Toyota thought heated seat isn’t as important as cooled seat for Australia, so they ditched it, but adding cooled seat, is the right option for them. Unfortunately other companies are not being smart or at least don’t care enough to satisfy their Australian costumers by adding options which they really need.

[@EnShinNoi]

​@@arad907 I went with the sport because I prefer cloth seats. Both the sport and touring are excellent choices though. If I were going to share the driver's seat with anyone, I probably would've suckered up and got leather because readjusting my seat everytime I sit in the car would drive me mental. I don't give much thought to car reviewers' opinions on how a car feels unless they've been driving it long term. It takes time to know a car and learn all its quirks, limitations and ways around them.

[@arad907]

@@EnShinNoi Thanks for sharing your experiences with me. I agree with you. I just have a question for you, all Mazda6 which made after 2018, have the MRCC with stop & go option? The other day, I watched a video about the Stop and go feature which was a great driving assistant, specifically on traffics.

[@EnShinNoi]

@@arad907 Yes they all have it.

[@pwrfl2357]

And of course not available in the US.

[@PE-TEACHER-KEN]

GOOD...

[@RtB68]

The Japanese BMW? I suspect Lexus would argue the point, but high praise nonetheless...

[@lovroluketic9031]

Anything is a great suv alternative. Imagine buying a suv 🤢

[@Blueskyworld2025]

Toyota Camry # 1 😊

[@donew1thita11]

Yo someone has this at my work and I'm like that's not a sedan but not a cx 5. Now I know what it is 😅

[@chasingcars]

Yeah!

[@GlowingTube]

Nice car. I’m now so used to SUVs that I miss the ride height in a wagon like this. Would I buy a Mazda 6 wagon over a CX5? No.

[@jjchockey]

Yes definitely. It has a nicer interior, more space, better ride, better handling, better efficiency, and its cheaper. SUVs are stupid.

[@GlowingTube]

@@jjchockey I would rather buy an SUV over this… yes I don’t prioritise dynamics.

[@jjchockey]

Its not just about dynamics. Go compare a CX5 and the 6 Wagon. The 6 has a nicer interior, its quieter, the ride is more compliant, It has more space in the backseats and trunk, it gets better MPG, and all of that for less money. SUVs do not make sense unless you need the AWD or higher ground clearance (which most people dont). Go ahead spend more money for a worse vehicle It’s you money. @@GlowingTube

[@GlowingTube]

@@jjchockey I need the ground clearance and prefer the packaging of an SUV over a lower and longer wagon. I’d take an SUV over the wagon any day.

[@aussie8114]

If only it had a good infotainment system.

[@mdiciaccio87]

Not bad, but I chose the VRS Octavia in the end - Much more entertaining to drive.

[@callumfreebairn8082]

obviously not for off roading...

[@rjbiker66]

North American has dropped the Mazda 6. Who will be the market for a very low volume mid sized sedan?

[@davidcosgrove2625]

Again Better Models that will never come to US as we get all junk designs with low HP. One in point the Subaru Levorg a true wagon and no the Outback is not a Wagon.

[@jngobngo]

US car buyers weep

[@MeasureOnce]

Good review thanks. The Mazda doesn't look class leading in any way, unfortunately, except for the price. I just don't understand why anyone pays Mazda's almost-luxury pricetag for what is today a pretty basic vehicle that's outclassed by Volvo, BMW, Kia, Hyundai, and others. Korean cars are streets ahead of where they were in 2012 when this Mazda 6 was new. When was the ANCAP safety test conducted? There have been big advances with partial offset crash protection in recent years - leading to much better safety cells for passengers. Does this old-design car have that covered?

[@jjchockey]

Almost luxury price tag? Name a luxury wagon that costs under 30k with leather heated seats. Oh wait you have to spend 40k+ to get any “luxury” wagon. The interior of the 6 is more premium feeling then anything from Nissan, Honda, Toyota, or Hyundai. It has a more upscale elegant design inside and out, It is the quietest car in its class, and has the most refined ride and handling in the class. It’s rated top of the class in safety as well with 5 stars and IIHS top safety pick plus. Not sure where you are getting all this wrong information from... The downsides of Mazda is the infotainment isn’t great and it doesn’t offer as much space as competitors. Other then that I see no reason why someone wouldn’t buy this car over a Camry or Accord.

[@MeasureOnce]

@@jjchockey ... And it costs a shade under $50k for the Mazda car reviewed, which is eclipsed by many from Korea. No argument, Toyotas are dependable, but spec-light and expensive. But Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda are questionable buying decisions given their shrinking footprint in Oz. YMMV

[@chasingcars]

Is that right? A Stinger or Sonata are not cheaper than this, and neither come in wagon.

[@MeasureOnce]

@@chasingcars Well sure, a Ferrari may be more costly as well, but they're all better cars than the Mazda. There are plenty of choices - not so many wagons in these modern SUV-times - however, Subaru Forester, VW Passat come to mind. SUVs have ride height and storage that beats the Mazda's meagre space offerings. But why are you asking me - you should know all this better than anyone.

[@jjchockey]

It’s literally fact the 6 wagon is cheaper and more spacious then a CX5. Your just a hater and it shows.@@MeasureOnce

[@RELAX-qk5nd]

Hes accent uk-usa

[@sjb2471]

Australian

[@meekacumen]

2021! USB outlet in the centre console! no wireless charging! no wireless phone connectivity! you are expected to run a $10 cable across the centre console to the small area under the A/C controls to connect your phone to the area allocated for your phone storage. What a joke! and they are showing off red leather seats and red stitching but the infotainment system is laggy and the screen is as big as my mobile phone! These Japanese car interior designers need to be sacked and a more modern high tech approach needs to be implemented!

[@mctend9108]

It's a car, not a game console.

[@joele4197]

I actually like the older mazda infotainment system, I don't find it very laggy and 7" is big enough so 8" is fine (your mobile phone has an 8" screen?? LMAO). I like it more than most new systems these days including in mazdas, though I hacked into mine to customise it (helps it runs on linux)... The lack of usb port in the front is an oversight IMHO, thankfully (for me) with modern mobiles I no longer need to charge in my car anyway (even though my current car has said port) but I think this was something they could have easily addressed and would be a mild annoyance on road trips though 2 ports in the back are more important to me than placement in the front.

[@mie-]

jezzzzz this car need an urgent facelift. looks ancient

[@stephantranquille6681]

The car has looked from sensational to now boring and is dear need of a complete make over, I believe.

[@rickychan8622]

Guys please avoid Mazda, my Mazda 6 has low fuel pump pressure issue. The car has been recalled few months ago. The same issue happens again. The engine stopped all by sudden when I was driving. Very dangerous. Avoid Mazda. The quality sucks.

[@humanhuman2620]

Which model year?

[@PE-TEACHER-KEN]

GOOD...