The Mazda 6 is up to $1000 more expensive for 2023, but has received various specification updates plus a new special edition.

    It’s also the latest model from the brand to adopt Mazda’s new powertrain naming conventions.

    The naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder Sport and Touring are now the G25 Sport and G25 Touring, while the turbocharged 2.5-litre GT SP and Atenza are now the G35 GT SP and G35 Atenza.

    G25 Sport models get the smallest price increase – $300 – as they’re the recipient of the fewest upgrades.

    All 2023 Mazda 6 models get an updated power steering system, while G25 Touring and up now get wireless Apple CarPlay for their otherwise carryover 8.0-inch MZD Connect touchscreen infotainment systems.

    G35 GT SP and G35 Atenza models get the brand’s Cruising and Traffic Support semi-autonomous driver assist feature.

    The G35 GT SP also gets “black gloss signature wings front and rear” with the wagon also getting gloss black roof rails, while G35 Atenza models come standard with black Nappa leather upholstery – sadly, the Walnut Brown and Pure White colourways are no more.

    The flagship Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine now develops 173kW (up 3kW) at 4250rpm. Peak torque remains at 420Nm (at 2000rpm), but Mazda says the motor will make an additional 8Nm at 4250rpm compared to before.

    Mazda says the six-speed automatic has also been updated to “provide a more direct upshift response and exciting driving feel”; while the “reactive force of the accelerator pedal has been increased to provide more direct and intuitive connection to the engine’s torque”.

    The special 20th Anniversary edition, commemorating two decades and more than 144,000 Mazda 6 sales in Australia, is based on the G35 Atenza and comes exclusively in Artisan Red and Rhodium White metallic finishes.

    Other distinguishing exterior features include 20th Anniversary badging and high-gloss silver 19-inch alloy wheels.

    Inside, the Mazda 6 20th Anniversary special uniquely offers a tan interior trimmed in Leganu suede and Nappa leather. The front headrests are also embossed with 20th Anniversary logos.

    While the Mazda 6 has now been discontinued in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Mazda Australia says it remains an “important model” here. It’s unclear just how much longer it will be around, however, given it’s now over a decade old with no replacement in sight.

    Despite its age, Mazda sold 1511 6s in 2022, making it the second best-seller in its segment, albeit well behind the Toyota Camry (9538 sales).

    Pricing

    • 2023 Mazda 6 G25 Sport sedan: $35,540 (+$300)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G25 Sport wagon: $36,840 (+$300)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G25 Touring sedan: $40,210 (+$570)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G25 Touring wagon: $41,510 (+$570)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G35 GT SP sedan: $48,440 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G35 GT SP wagon: $49,470 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G35 Atenza sedan: $51,840 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 G35 Atenza wagon: $53,140 (+$1000)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 20th Anniversary sedan: $53,635 (NEW)
    • 2023 Mazda 6 20th Anniversary wagon: $54,935 (NEW)

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Drivetrains

    2023 Mazda 6 G25 models use a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 140kW of power at 6000rpm and 252Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

    Mazda 6 G35 models use a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 173kW of power at 4250rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

    A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range, and all Mazda 6 models are front-wheel drive.

    Efficiency

    2023 Mazda 6 G25 models use 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle, while G35 models use 7.6L/100km.

    All models have a 62L fuel tank, automatic stop-start, and run on 91 RON regular unleaded fuel.

    Dimensions

    The 2023 Mazda 6 sedan measures 4865mm long, 1450mm tall, 1840mm wide (excluding the mirrors) and rides a 2830mm wheelbase.

    The Mazda 6 wagon, in contrast, is 4800mm long, 1480mm tall, 1840mm wide and rides a shorter 2750mm wheelbase.

    The sedan has 474L of boot space with the rear seats up and the wagon 506L.

    Towing capacity is 1500kg (braked) and 550kg (unbraked) in G25 models and 1600kg (braked) and 750kg (unbraked) in G35 models.

    Servicing and Warranty

    The Mazda 6 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

    The first five services are capped at $334, $505, $395, $505 and $334 in G25 models and $347, $518, $431, $817 and $347 in G35 models.

    Safety

    The Mazda 6 wears a five-star safety rating based on 2018 testing, achieving 95 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child occupant protection, 66 per cent for vulnerable road users and 73 per cent for safety assist.

    Standard safety equipment across the range includes:

    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Driver attention alert
    • Intelligent Speed Assistance
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Traffic sign recognition
    • Tyre pressure montioring

    G25 Touring and up get front parking sensors, while G35 GT SP and up get Cruising and Traffic Support and G35 Atenza and up get a surround-view camera.

    Standard Equipment

    The G25 Sport comes standard with the following equipment:

    • 17-inch alloy wheels
    • Heated, power-adjustable mirrors
    • Rain-sensing wipers
    • Automatic LED headlights
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Cloth upholstery
    • Keyless start
    • 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Satellite navigation
    • Six-speaker sound system
    • Head-up display
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
    • Paddle shifters
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Electric parking brake with auto hold
    • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
    • 2 x 12V power outlets
    • 3 x USB outlets

    The G25 Touring adds:

    • Auto-folding exterior mirrors
    • LED daytime running lights
    • Keyless entry
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay
    • 11-speaker Bose sound system
    • Leather upholstery
    • Power driver and passenger seats

    The G35 GT SP adds:

    • Adaptive Front Lighting (steering-guided headlights)
    • Black 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Heated front seats
    • Heated rear outboard seats
    • Burgundy leather upholstery

    The G35 Atenza adds:

    • Adaptive LED headlights
    • Bright-finish 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Single-pane sunroof
    • Heated steering wheel
    • 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
    • Black Nappa leather upholstery
    • Ventilated front seats

    The 20th Anniversary adds:

    • 20th Anniversary logos
    • Tan Nappa leather and synthetic suede upholstery
    • Embossed 20th Anniversary headrest logos

    Colours

    The following finishes are no-cost options:

    • Sonic Silver metallic
    • Jet Black mica
    • Deep Crystal blue mica
    • Platinum Quartz metallic

    The following are $795 options:

    • Rhodium White metallic
    • Machine Grey metallic
    • Polymetal Grey metallic
    • Soul Red Crystal metallic

    The 20th Anniversary comes exclusively in Artisan Red or Rhodium White metallic finishes, at no extra cost.

    MORE: Everything Mazda 6

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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