Owner Review: "BMW" from Hiroshima, my 2016 diesel powered Mazda 6

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Basic information about my car:

2016 Mazda 6 2.2D 

Reasons why I bought this car(purpose):

This was meant to be a daily driver to replace the car I was driving, a 1994 Proton Wira 1.5 which belonged to my dad and is still with us today and running. 

Car Selection Process

• I had a budget of RM150 - 190k
• Models that I have considered include Focus ST, Mondeo

When I first saw the Kodo design on the 2013 launch of the Mazda 6 I knew that someday I had to have one. I was always fascinated by the Mazda 6 starting from the GG model. Working overseas meant there was no need to have a car in Malaysia. Cue 2016 returning to Malaysia, Mazda flips the convention by announcing the Skyactiv diesel would be available to purchase which ultimately sealed the deal. Many hours were spent over the internet to learn what made the Skyactiv diesel special over the rest. Having experienced diesel vehicles while working in Europe I knew this was really something special.

User Experience

•  I have already done 76,000  km
• My average fuel consumption is 8.5L / 100km

It has not disappointed one bit. The cliches are true, if you park your car and turn around to look back at it, it's something special. The flowing lines, the proportions, the stance, there's just nothing else that comes close to replicating it at the moment. It really is timeless looking despite 8 years running. Mazda hit the design language on the spot and still does so. 

The interior is a very nice place to be all leather, soft touches, simple clear layout, screwed together nicely. The ergonomics was focused on and it feels that way. It's not as fancy with full LCD gauges and big center screens but that's the way i like things, traditional dials and buttons, feels purposeful, feels functional, a click and something happens. Space is fine for 4 adults, the boot is big enough for the 4 adults together. Cabin does need more cubby holes for all our everyday carry knick knacks.   

Safety is also good with sufficient autonomy for emergency situations. No annoying bings, bongs, chimes if you so much blink one eye slower than the other. Lane keep assist does bounce off lane markings but deals with our poor lane markings remarkably well. No radar cruise however i don't see how that will work well in our crowded highways. Auto dimming high beams are a treat, just set and forget, it does the dimming for you when there are oncoming cars. Rear cross traffic alert helps a lot when reversing out of parking.

Handling is typical of Mazda, precise, confident, smooth. The electronic power steering is weighted well, consistent feel lock to lock, no weird light or heavy spots. Turning radius is good enough for moving around parking lots. I've gotten comments that the car doesn't drive as big as it looks from the outside. Gearbox is unobtrusive which is great, you don't catch it sleeping, smooth shifts, paddle  shifting is reasonably quick, and will hold gears until redline when in manual mode. Doesn't have different drive modes gimmicks, it drives the way you drive it.  

Engine is the star and there's no avoiding it. The 420NM, sequential turbo engine is just the bees knees. Never are you second guessing merging, overtaking, getting on the pedal, off you go, very little turbo lag. Town driving means you rarely go above 2000 rpms, just wafting around on torque. Highway cruising is a muted affair, there's no noise from the engine, no need for frantic revving, smooth cruise along. Recent switch of all diesel to Euro 5 means no more range anxiety for blue pumps.

Maintenance is unremarkable which is good, only the usual oil and filters, does need ACEA C3 rated oils which aren't in Tesco/Lotus but available via online platforms. Nothing drastically different from a petrol engine save not having to change spark plugs.
Annoying quirk though, to turn off idle stop start is a 3 second hold down, to turn off traction control is a single press. 

Pros and Cons

Pros of my car

Kodo design
Torque, torque and torque
Comfortable, smart interior
Quality build
Safety suite 
Ease of maintenance
Not yet plagued with excessive electronics
Handling

Cons

BOSE audio pretty weak
NVH has room for improvement
Occasional suspension noise
Only a 6 speed gearbox
Limited storage spaces in cabin
Paint is thin, looking at it the wrong way is enough to chip it

Total Score: 5

Performance: 5

Quality & Features: 5

Space: 5

Ride comfort: 5

Fuel Economy: 4

Price & cost: 4

Summary:

First car purchase, first Mazda owned, first diesel engined vehicle. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Also eagerly awaiting the next generation of Mazda 6 expected to have a new inline 6 engine with a RWD layout. Sign me up and diesel of course! 

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