Overall Average Rating: 88.66%
Position in the Top 100 cars: 12th

We were surprised to find Mazda’s old-shape 6 so low down the ranking this year. After all, it topped the poll in 2003 and has posted decent results ever since.

You cite average build quality, poor economy, ride and driving ease, plus below par comfort, as potential reasons. It still scores highly for practicality, though.

Manufacturer Verdict (Position: 10th)

it’s fallen one place, yet Mazda is still in the top 10. The blot in its copybook is 23rd position for running costs, although it’s offset by a fifth-placed rank in both the handling and braking categories.

Overall Average:
4.433
88.66%
13th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy a Mazda 6 again
4.35
87%
14th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy another Mazda 6 again
4.9
98%
7th in Driver Power 2010
Comfort:
4.328
86.56%
38th in Driver Power 2010
Practicality:
4.845
96.9%
6th in Driver Power 2010
Ride quality:
4.155
83.1%
25th in Driver Power 2010
Ease of driving:
4.579
91.58%
25th in Driver Power 2010
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

I think it's excellent. Power is decent, but when you rev the 2l engine it's magnificent. (I beat a Civic TypeR along a slip road a few weeks back!)
Build quality could be better, but for the price I can't really complain. Stronger boot supports would be very welcome! (Yes, it's a Mazda6!!)
Practicality is fantastic - the back seats collapse at the touch of a button.
Many friends have commented to me how good a car it is when I've given them a lift in it, and it's extremely comfortable too - why bother with BMWs, Mercedes, etc? (BTW, I prefer my 6 to my friend's 08 plate Merc E220 - no room at all in there when you're 6'4"!!)

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
5/5
Ease of driving:
3/5
03-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Good looking car, lots of room, very practical and good performance-BUT the worst experience I have ever had with a car or Manufacturer. Loads of rust affecting car- most hanging panels and loads underneath. Car went in to Mazda body shop to change bonnet, rear doors and tailgate. The car went in in August and I still havn't got in back- 5 MONTHS IN THE BODY SHOP!!!!! Is this a record? Mazda are thouroughly dishonest.

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
4/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
58-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Most stylish family car on the road, people always saying how good it looks. Great to drive ,comfortable and practical, economical for size of car, loads of equipment as standard.

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
09-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

does what i selected it for - need big boot for field hockey goal keeping gear. Tyres make difference to ride and noise - current goodyears not as good as original bridgestones

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Absolutely brilliant - love my 6 - comfortable, reliable, fun, practical. Bought a brand new 2 as well for my wife - same goes for it too

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

overall easy to drive ,gearbox can be knotchy when cold, but generally a good all rounder ,can be a bit on thirsty side when driven hard

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
05-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

This is the best car I have owned. Very comfortable on long journeys and very practical amount of space. Exceptionally reliable.

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
4/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
04-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Car is very good, just let down by a major part failing and it taking months for the manufacturer to supply the spare into the UK

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
5/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
59-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Love it - fantastic feature set for the price and it is just great
So good my brother in law bought the same model afterwards

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
5/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

It's stylish in an understated way, practical and reasonably fun to drive given that it's a mid-range family runaround.

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
08-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

very honest reliable car that provides adequate performance and ride experience given its 'daddy car' image

Comfort:
3/5
Practicality:
3/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

My car is very good value for money. Its very good to drive and very practical. and reliable

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
57-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Practical but not the feel that I hoped for ie not a solid feel like BMW or even Toyota.

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
4/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
55-reg Diesel, Owner for Less than a year

Decent practical car but rather thirsty and interior design could be more thoughtful.

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
3/5
05-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

very good all rounder for the size of car, very practical, a pleasure to drive.

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
4/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Very good car, lots of acceleration when you need it, and it looks good!

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
4/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

good to drive, practical, reliable but the ride is a little unsettled

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
04-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Good, reliable, practical hatchback offering value for money

Comfort:
3/5
Practicality:
4/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
59-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

a stylish practical sleek family car if thats possible.

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
5/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
04-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

All-round great car. Fun to drive and very practical.

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
5/5
04-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

very good all rounder and good value for money

Comfort:
4/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
5/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great car - a little noisy at cruising speeds

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
5/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
03-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

my car is i think a very good allround car.

Comfort:
3/5
Practicality:
3/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
3/5
08-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Reliable, stylish and practical

Comfort:
5/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

it ticks all the right boxes,

Comfort:
3/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
4/5
Ease of driving:
4/5
54-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Very good family car.

Comfort:
2/5
Practicality:
5/5
Ride Quality:
3/5
Ease of driving:
5/5