Editor’s view: Mazda6
Award winner
The Mazda6 was our Best SME large Company Car of the Year 2015. I had the chance to drive the 175ps version although the award-winning model was the 150ps model. Here we publish a comparison so that you can make your company car choice.
Mazda6 2.2D 175ps Saloon Sport Nav
- P11D value £26,740
- Percentage charge 21%
- Tax payable at 20% £1,123
- Tax payable at 40% £2,246
Mazda6 2.2D 150ps Saloon Sport Nav
- P11D value £26,340
- Percentage charge 19%
- Tax payable at 20% £1,001
- Tax payable at 40% £2,002
THE Mazda6: our Best Large Company Car in our SME Company Car of the Year 2015 awards and following that accolade at the beginning of this year, given a quick update to its already good-looking exterior.
I had a demo drive in the Mazda6 2.2D 175ps Saloon Sport Nav model which was also fitted with the £800 Safety Pack . It’s certainly a highly spacious car, and luxurious beyond expectation with its beautifully finished leather-clad seating and high quality interior fixtures and fittings.
On the road, it’s always eye-catching – even now, it demands attention with its seductive blend of curves, length and proportion.
It drives well too, although its turbo diesel engine can be caught off guard occasionally with a rather lethargic response until it gets into its stride.
But that’s a minor quibble. The Mazda6 is supple and rewarding to drive on quick A roads, as well as being quiet and refined on the motorway – in fact everything you’d want from a large executive car but dished up in this good value, good-looking competitor in this large company car sector.
In the past, Mazda has been a bit variable in its consistency of approach to this class of car; not this time. The designers and engineers have got it bang on right. The Mazda6 feels classy, and far more expensive than its £26,795 price tag suggests. Prices for the Mazda6 range commence just below the £20k mark.
The car I’ve driven is the slightly more powerful and slightly more expensive 175PS version of our award winner. It’s a nice to have, but not necessarily a must-have when the 150PS version dishes up a sumptuous feast that costs you slightly less in your wallet in terms of company car tax.
Which is one of the reasons, of course, our judges chose it as the Large Company Car of the Year, in addition to its fuel consumption-lowering SKYACTIV technology.
Will it be a winner again this year? For details of the categories in this year’s Fleet Alliance supported awards, click here: SME Company Car of the Year Awards 2016 launches.
