Mazda6 wagon

I like big boots and I cannot lie, you other brothers can’t deny…

Yes, I know, it’s probably one of the worst opening lines ever and it’s been overused, but I mean really, when you first set eyes on the Mazda6 wagon, that’s going to be the first thought that pops into your head. Some motoring writers are impressed with handling, some with power and torque outputs, some with Italian styling cues or any number of other personal preferences. Me, I love wagons – big ones. I think it might have to do with the practicality combined with their comparative rareness. Ever since the big Australian auto industry collapse, it seems big wagons are just not the thing these days, and that’s what kinda makes them my thing. So when I heard Mazda had developed the next generation Mazda6 with a wagon variant, I was on the phone to Mazda requesting one at a speed that makes Jack Reacher’s arrival on a crime scene look pokey and slow. Nor was I disappointed when it came time to collect. Make no mistake, the Mazda6 wagon is no halfway measure. This is a big wagon, but in typical Mazda fashion, the Kodo design language means it is gloriously sexy in its styling. See, the Mazda6 has always held that aspect of its build high – it’s a damn fine looking car and its wearing its figure well after darn near a decade – I’d argue it looks better now than it did then. For all that I’m a fan of the Mazda6 sedan the wagon is so brilliantly balanced visually in my eyes, it would be my go-to every time – almost. If Mazda would produce a Takami version, there’d be no doubt in my mind. As it is, there are two GSX versions and one Limited, which is the one you see here. The reason for two GSX’S? One has the 2.5 litre turbo petrol. The Limited and one of the GSX’S runs a 2.2-litre, turbocharged and intercooled SKYACTIV-D diesel, which is the engine I’d be picking. Quiet, smooth, refined and loaded with torque – 450Nm of it from 2000rpm in fact. Like the sedan, the wagon features a stunning array of technology including Mazda’s i-eloop regenerative braking system. This captures kinetic energy from the wheels, stores the energy and allows other systems to use it later, equating to an up to 10 percent fuel efficiency saving. Naturally, the Mazda6 wagon features the largest part of the features of its four-door cousin including the all-encompassing I-ACTIVSENSE safety umbrella, but in addition offers up 502 litres of cargo carrying capacity which can be stretched to 1648 litres with the rear seats down. And since we’re talking figures, Mazda reports a 5.3 litres per 100km fuel figure, which puts it’s fuel economy on a par with a medium-sized hybrid for an everyday driver. Of the two games in town when it comes to large wagons, with the Mazda being the only diesel-powered one, Mazda could produce a car that was the automotive equivalent of a brown paper bag and still impress, but to have a wagon that looks this good and does what its supposed to, you gotta give Mazda credit for respecting its prospective customers, and not taking shortcuts. The overall feel of the Mazda6 wagon is that it was built – with typical Mazda precision and attention to detail – to be exactly as you see it. It’s what made the Mazda6 great the first time round, and it’s only gotten better.