Mazda6 2002-2008 used car review

The Mazda6 is a practical yet sporty family station wagon.

Richard Edwards
Richard Edwards
Expert Reviewer | Auto Media Group

The Mazda6 is a practical yet sporty family station wagon. Try to buy models built from 2005 as they offer a lot more than earlier cars.

Exterior , 4 out of 5 Drive , 4.5 out of 5 Safety , 4 out of 5 Value , 3 out of 5 Interior , 3.5 out of 5

Overall score , 3.8 out of 5

The good
  • Sporty looks for a family car
  • Smooth and powerful engine teamed with a good transmission
  • Large, practical boot
The not-so-good
  • Rear seat is narrow; three adults won’t be comfortable

The Mazda6 is a mid-sized family car with a sporty look and impressive handling. It replaced the brand’s long-running 626 in 2002. Sedan, hatchback and station wagon versions were available. The Japanese import version is badged as Atenza.

Inside and out

Despite its practical role, the Mazda6 features sporty styling. It has a slim, arrow-like look to the front with wide projector-style headlamps. Even the wagon features sporty clear-lens tail lights. Alloy wheels are fitted as standard on this GSX model.

The interior is also quite different from other “family cars”, with round air vents, sporty red lighting and chrome rings around the instrument dials. The centre console features a silver finish and the controls for the CD player stereo and climate control system. 

They do not have their own screen or indicator lights - this detail appears on a narrow red screen at the top of the panel. The plastics feel and look a little light and cheap but seem to have lasted well over the car’s 12-year life.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, though some passengers might not like the firm padding. The driver’s seat is manually adjustable for height. There is plenty of head and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Three adults will find it a struggle to get comfortable as the rear seat is narrow – that’s unusual considering the size of the car.

The boot of the Mazda6 wagon is impressive. At 503 litres, it is bigger than a Subaru Impreza’s boot and a special rear suspension design means there is little intrusion at the sides. That makes it wide and flat and ideal for large items like suitcases. We think you could fit five or six large cases, great for a family trip. If you need more space, the back seat folds down at the push of a button on the side of the load area, which increases capacity to more than 1,700 litres.

On the road

Two engines are available in the Mazda6, 2-litre and 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engines. A five-speed manual was standard. However, most are automatic: four-speed for 2002-2005 cars and five-speed with manual shifting for 2005-2008 models. Our review car uses the 2.3-litre engine with the five-speed automatic, which produces 122kW and 207Nm. It requires premium fuel, unusual for a New Zealand-new mainstream car.

The Mazda6 was one of the nicest cars of its size in the market to drive, even compared to expensive European models. The steering feels responsive and precise, with plenty of grip – it is fun to push hard through corners. The ride is firm yet comfortable and road noise is reasonably low. There is plenty of power for overtaking or powering up hills. The engine in our review car felt like it had lost some responsiveness, but our experience with this model suggests that’s a problem specific to the review car.

Mazda did not fit reversing cameras or parking sensors to this generation Mazda6.

Visibility to the rear is okay in the sedans and restricted in the hatchback and wagon, particularly if you are carrying a load. Parking sensors are standard on the TS and Ghia models. A camera became standard on the Ghia in 2005 and optional on the TS. It’s such a large vehicle that we recommend fitting a camera for extra safety when reversing. You can buy one to fit yourself from $50 or have one professionally fitted for $200.

The car’s tow rating is good for its size. It can pull up to 750kg unbraked, a medium-size garden trailer, and up to 1,500kg braked, a medium-size trailer boat.

Safety

RightCar lists the Mazda6 as having a four-star ANCAP rating. Levels of safety equipment vary with the age of the car. Cars built from 2002-2005 feature only driver and passenger airbags and antilock brakes. Models from 2005-2008 – such as our review vehicle – added side and curtain airbags, intelligent seat belt reminders and electronic brake force distribution.

The rear seat does not have ISOFIX child seat mounts, though there are tether points on the back of it. The centre seat features a full shoulder-type belt, which offers more protection than the lap-only type.

Reliability

The Mazda6 has a reputation for being reliable, although issues are becoming increasingly common as this version ages. The engine uses a timing chain which will not need regular replacement.

At higher mileages, the 2.3-litre engine can begin to consume oil at a higher rate. Unless that becomes excessive – more than a litre every few thousand kilometres – it is easiest just to check and top up regularly. 

The only fix is an engine rebuild or replacement which is likely to be uneconomic. Worn or perished engine mounts are also common and can be detected by a harsh vibration when the car is in neutral and worse when cold. New mounts will cost from $300.

Pre-2005 models use a four-speed automatic which has been known to fail over time.

Look for a harsh “thump” when you shift to drive or reverse. A replacement transmission will cost from $2,000 used. The five-speed automatic from 2005 and onwards is considered very reliable. A knock or harsh feel to the steering, especially at low speeds or when stationary, is likely to be a dried-out steering column joint. A visit to a mechanic is needed to have this removed and repacked with a Mazda-approved lubricant.

Check the electric windows work correctly on any car you consider. The car features a system that stops the window closing if an obstruction – such as a child’s hand – is in the way. With time the system can develop an issue where the window will go up and then come down slightly without hitting anything. A system reset will fix it but a new regulator or sensor is often required. Expect to spend from $200 a door to correct the problem.

The digital air-conditioning and data panel above the dashboard can develop pixelation issues with portions of the display going blank. That makes it hard to read. The higher-grade suede cloth seating trim found in the GSX models looks great but tends not to age well and becomes “shiny” on the seat squabs.

The seat compression material is prone to losing its spring. Mazdas have a poor reputation for underbody protection and corrosion. Get down on the ground and look underneath the car for discoloration or bubbling, especially where the rear suspension connects to the body. 

The bottom of the doors can also be affected – open them and check along the seams on the inside edge. Repairs can be costly so have the car professionally inspected if you see anything concerning.

Headlamp units are prone to fading over time – this can often be polished out, but total replacement might be necessary in very badly sun-damaged examples.

Cost of ownership

Mazda recommends servicing the Mazda6 every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. A local Mazda dealer says this service starts from $200.

RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year, the wagon will cost $2,490 a year to fuel. The 68-litre fuel tank will cost $136 to fill and should take you 700km before the fuel light comes on.

A vehicle licence for the Mazda6 costs $76.92 a year, with the car in the cheapest ACC levy group.

Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a Mazda6 valued at $7,280 will cost $45.26* per month. This is slightly less than a Ford Mondeo.

Buyers’ guide

The Mazda6 is available on Trade Me priced from just $1,500 and ranging as high as $13,000. Prices are driven down by price and condition, with the cheapest cars likely to have had a hard life and mileages over 250,000km. When buying you should also consider the used import version of the car, the Atenza.

Variants

  • GLX - Powered by a 2-litre engine. Features steel wheels, manual air-conditioning, CD player stereo, electric windows, driver and passenger airbags (side and curtain added in 2005) and anti-lock brakes.
  • GSX - Adds alloy wheels, cruise control, steering wheel controls for the audio system, leather steering wheel, manual shift for automatic transmission and climate control air-conditioning.
  • Limited - Adds leather seating, Bose-brand premium audio system with subwoofer, body kit, fog lights, rear spoiler, sports alloy wheels and sunroof.

Timeline

  • 2002 Launched globally
  • 2005 Receives a cosmetic facelift and additional safety features
  • 2008 Replaced by new model

Details

Review vehicle

2005 Mazda6 GSX wagon

Price

$8,000 to $16,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km

Engine

2.3-litre four-cylinder, 122kW and 207Nm

Transmission

Five-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

Safety rating

Four-star ANCAP rating

Servicing

10,000km or 12 months

Spare wheel

Full size spare

Fuel economy

8.9-litres per 100km (claimed)

Fuel type

Premium

Length

4700mm

Width

1781mm

Height

1480mm

Towing capacity

750kg (unbraked), 1500kg (braked)

Turning circle

11.2m

This review covers the Mazda6 for model years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.

*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.

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