Is This The Best-Looking Family Car? (Mazda 6 20th Anniversary Turbo 2023 Review)

Australian review of the 2023 Mazda 6 G35 20th Anniversary wagon, including turbo engine, handling, interior and ride quality.

The Mazda 6 is getting on in years, but it is still a great-looking vehicle available in sedan or estate formats. It exists just as Mazda is adding RWD-based SUVs to its lineup. The Mazda 6 range starts at $35,540 before on-road costs. This trim costs $54,935.

Mazda 6 competes with other midsize and large wagons including the Volkswagen Passat, Subaru Outback, Skoda Superb, Volvo V60 Cross Country, Audi A4 and others.

Time codes:

0:00 - Wagons vs SUVs
0:26 - Pricing
0:37 - Design and styling
0:51 - Back seats and boot space
1:13 - Specifications
1:30 - 2.5L vs turbo engines
1:59 - Nappa leather interior
2:20 - Cabin technology
2:48 - Driving the Mazda 6

As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct.

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[chasingcars]

Should Mazda build a next-gen Mazda 6 on the new RWD six-cylinder platform?

[cmp]

One of the nicest cars out there in any spec. The styling on this generation has aged really well. Great job Mazda.

[matthewfoggon]

My 22 base model is absolutely brilliant! Build quality and refinement is superb.

[markprior]

I had a Mazda 6 in 2015, and i loved it. Sadly, due to back problems i had to trade it in for a CX-5 which was easier to get into. 
Much as i like the CX-5, my heart sinks every time i see a Mazda 6 because it is such a gorgeous car and incredible to drive.

[brentonbarnes]

I own the 2020 GT and get feedback all the time on how good it looks. It drives incredibly well (2.5 turbo does the job nicely) and has every luxury you could want. I have 2 kids and hate SUVs so a wagon was the only way to go.

[cmp]

I like that the screen is not a huge repugnant looking tablet.

[symsa]

2018 Touring sedan here, love how it looks and it has aged well imo but wish we got the wagon variant in the States

[RtB]

I have a Lexus IS and a 2021 Mazda 6. I prefer the Mazda more often than I should. It’s a lovely car and feel nimble and rapid and the Mazda styling language right now is just lovely.

[kodessa]

I still don't understand why they didn't update the back end of the wagon like the sedan

[froggy]

It’s not an SUV, and therefore is automatically cool.

[samzhang]

But most people are still more willing to pay 60-70k for a rav4 lol

[brianmwirigi]

Thank God Mazda has not discontinued these sedan before I buy one

[hllbnd]

Absolutely at the fact that I can't replace my current Mazda 6 estate with another...

[ardetag]

Indeed. I saw it in the showroom. Amazing

[RYAN]

I have the 2018 signature. I’m at 120000km/75000miles

I had a couple small issues and one big transmission replacement… other than that I love my car!!

[mickzed]

A handsome handy wagon, with a great Turbo option and no CVT!. Whats not to like? But wrong about SUV having space up high, that doesn't matter. It actually does, for many. Bikes and when your moving boxy high stuff etc etc.

[sneakyfoz]

Just wondering with 8, 9 or even 10 speed automatics, has any car buying consumer ever wanted a gearbox with a million speeds to it? 6 speeds sounds more than enough to me, well played on common sense Mazda.

[cc-iqbs]

Nice car, but I got the scr tdi blue motion R Line 190bhp b8 estate, everything you need, I prefer the vw over all, but masfa is a good car too. I guess it's how it makes you feel and does it put a smile on your face every time you drive. I think if car does that for you and for me Estate cars or wagons are the way to go if you want a car that does everything, these cars are the way for you friends, even volvo does great wagons.

I had these crossover suv thing my bobs 😂😂, and I have to be fair because they sit higher on the struts and springs well the ride got on my nerves after a while, so I sold it on, I lost interest, since taking ownership of vw R line scr tdi blue motion 190 bhup I love it, its a fantastic car and I bet these other models are too, its down to which you prefer, the R line is fully loaded and a Full glass roof front to back, and I can do what ever I want with my wagon, lugging stuff about, I, ve even had a sofa 3 seater in mine, so it's a No brainer not that your gonna do that every day but by Jo it does help. 😁😁😁👍, great power, flappy paddle, 7 speed and sport engage which puts the gearbox in top end mode for 190 bhp horses, and I can change supsention to 4 settings ta very much. So my advice take plenty of time to find right model don, t rush, go different places, try emmm out, take several weeks testing, looking, getting a feel for things, it's worth it in the end 👍👍😁

[jimmyt_]

Shame it's not available in the UK. 6 Estate was a brilliant car throughout its life. I also love the older Mazda 6 hatchback.

[karl]

Although this car is getting on now, they still look so classy. It’s a shame they aren’t doing another generation. They should have made a new electric 6. I reckon it would sell like hot cakes.