This is how the Mazda 6 comes out of the 100,000 kilometer test of AutoBild

These points stand out after disassembling the Mazda 6 SportBreak SkyActiv-D 2.2 175 GT-M AWD:

… the wall of the second cylinder shows a clear trace of wear, see photo below:

The wear track in the cylinder wall.

Ugly spot on the back of the driver’s seat. Cause: a loose cable tie

Enough protective wax in the hollow parts, sometimes even too much.

Greasy capacitor. It serves to store the energy of the regenerative braking system i-Eloop

Braked out: the discs show heavy signs of use, but continued to do their job.

This is how the Mazda 6 liked the AutoBild reaction

With its 175 hp diesel engine, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, SportBreak trim level, adaptive cruise control (ACC) and ruby ​​red metallic paint (extra €825), our 6 had almost everything on board that is on the order list. And that is exactly where irritations gradually arose. The chic 19-inch wheels emphasize the design and the sporty character, but they also pass on many irregularities to the steering wheel when you drive on bad roads. “And not just a little bit”, noted a colleague in the driving log, “but well beyond the pain threshold!”

Strong diesel, automatic transmission and 4WD bad combination The Mazda wants to make a sporty impression, so that’s not surprising: if you want to be beautiful, you should not complain. Worse was that the strong diesel, the automatic transmission and the four-wheel drive did not form a good combination. Very unusual, by the way, that they all worked out perfectly, but not in conjunction. Take the all-round drive for instance: it guaranteed carefree traction (“Is it winter yet?”) and that’s just so nice. Although it bothered our trailer expert that there is only 1,600 kilos of towing weight available. Those who want more should opt for the popular CX-5: it can carry 2.1 tons.

The automatic transmission with torque converter stood out because he was not noticed. It was not the most alert and light-footed transmission, but especially on long journeys you could not wish for better with a torque of just as much 420 Nm.

This brings us to the engine, a central element in Mazda’s idiosyncratic and ingenious economy strategy. They are out of step with the other brands and stick to the combustion engine unabated. At the last Tokyo Motor Show they showed their youngest brainchild. Where others talk about almost nothing more than electric drive, the diesel focuses on 2.2 liters of displacement, a relatively low compression of 14:1 and clean exhaust gases. For example, during our emissions test, the self-igniter also met the Euro 6 standard without an SCR catalytic converter. However, Mazda chooses to reduce NOx emissions in this way in the 2018 model year.

AWD has small tank

The sound production of the SkyActiv-D 2.2 175 has been experienced by each of us in our own way. One heard a piece of iron rattle on short journeys (that’s not right, it’s made of aluminum); the other was pleasantly surprised by a contented long-distance purr. Mazda is now installing other piston pins to counter vibrations. The sound insulation has also been improved. But what made everyone angry was the small range of the 6. Because this diesel is only economical if you play it with care. An average of 6.6 l/100 km does not deserve a beauty prize, but for a car like this it can go on. However, if you go above 150 km/h – which often happens on German highways – consumption increases to 8.9 liters and the range on a tank of diesel oil drops to 500 kilometers. This is partly because the tank in the AWD version is smaller than in the normal models.

All in all, it therefore pinches within the trinity diesel-automatic drive. The added rear-wheel drive reduces the tank capacity by ten liters to a total of 52 liters. “Ridiculous little for a diesel”, says one of our editors after he had to take out the jerry can somewhere in the French countryside: otherwise he would not have made it to the nearest gas station.

Perhaps this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. As said: beauty obscures a lot, but now more objections came to light. Like the doors that sound rather tinny when closed. Well, Mazda leads the way when it comes to weight savings, but our ears and eyes are used to solid constructions made of solid steel and high-quality plastics. The shiny dashboard reflects in the windshield and to the rear you mainly see roof pillars. And the rear seat is really tight: a Passat offers the family clearly more seating space. That is the flip side of form for function. If you go for a nice long hood, you will have less left at the back. Not so much for the luggage – from 522 to 1,663 liters is still possible – as for children and knees.

Good, was there more? Yes, the navigation system. “That has a detour tic,” someone wrote in the log. “It lets you avoid traffic jams far too quickly via routes that ultimately take more time.” The digital radio sometimes lost reception and switching from radio to CD or a sound source with a Bluetooth connection is not done blindly, because several steps in the menu are required. A pity, because the system as such was very much to the liking of our electronics guru: “This Mazda does not suffer from digital dementia. When I get back in, I’m back online almost immediately.”

The start-stop system also worked exemplary. This prevents the engine from shutting down too quickly and restarts it almost unnoticed. The ACC also deserves praise, because the relaxed way in which this system reacts to side-entry traffic is almost (super) human. The excellent interior lighting is also very handy. Even cleaning in a dim garage works well and the placement of the light points in the luggage compartment has been well thought out. The seats are sturdy and retain their shape, and the upholstery still looks like new after 100,000 kilometers. We had expected the latter, as a predecessor of this Mazda 6 with zero penalty points was at the top of our reliability list for a long time. The current wagon did not score that high, because after 42,680 kilometers the braking effect had become so spongy that we drove past the workshop anyway. A tilted brake pad was the culprit. To avoid further displeasure, the dealer replaced all brake pads in one go. By the end of the endurance test, blocks and discs were again worn to the thread. Did we drive so furiously? According to the importer, no similar complaints have been received. At least no bad luck. But because of this, the 6 misses its top position.