Review of the new Mazda6 1.8

There's a compelling argument for this humble 1.8-litre petrol version of the Mazda6 being the pick of the range. In fact I'd go further than that. If you're looking for a well-priced medium range family car that's decently built and, above all, a hoot to drive, your search should start and finish here.

I'll let you in on a little trade secret here. When manufacturers deliver press cars to motoring journalists, the cars are very rarely in the sort of trim you'd buy from a dealer. In an effort to create a favourable impression, the press office cars are often fully loaded with every extra on the options list. As such, some journalists believe that cars without seat warmers and satellite navigation systems no longer exist. It pays to get back to basics with some cars and the Mazda6 1.8-litre is just such a vehicle.

The 1.8-litre engine represents the first rung on the Mazda6 ownership ladder and, as an ownership proposition, it might well be the best car in the whole range. Sometimes keeping things simple is the smartest choice of the lot and the Mazda6 does simple extremely intelligently.

Granted, 118bhp doesn't seem like a whole heap of power to move the sizeable bulk of the Mazda6. Then you do your homework and realise that the car weighs in at just 1,405kg, lighter than its predecessors and far lighter than many of its class rivals. This shows in its on-road performance. It'll get to 60mph in just 10.1s, compared to the 12 seconds an equivalently powerful Ford Mondeo would need. Where the Mondeo was once the class standard for handling, it's to Mazda that we now look to show the rest how it's done.

The Mazda6 has always been a sharp drive and the latest version refuses to dumb down the driving experience. The engine begs to be revved and the car's attitude is what expert drivers would call very throttle responsive in a corner. Ride quality is excellent with the car flowing well without getting floaty at speed. The brakes and gearshift are great although the electrically assisted steering doesn't tell you too much until you're really committed to a corner. This 1.8-litre engine actually feels gutsier than its 2.0-litre sibling at lower revs although it can get a little breathy at the top end and there are only five gears to play with.

"Where this car scores is in offering a lot of quality vehicle for the money."

Rather than an all-new model, this Mazda6 is a wholesale reworking of the previous generation car. It's longer, in overall length and wheelbase, taller and wider than the vehicle it replaced but still isn't quite on the scale of the sector's real heavyweights. In fact, Mazda is proud to underline the Mazda6's lightweight status. The designers have managed to achieve these increased dimensions and a boost to overall rigidity without adding to the vehicle's mass. The car's flowing lines and tarmac-hugging stance aren't just for show either. They help it slice through the air achieving a slippery drag co-efficient of 0.27 which in-turn helps efficiency and refinement. Cabin noise is actually 2.5dB lower compared to the old Mazda6.

Mazda talks about its use of 'Japanese Aesthetics' when designing the Mazda6. What this means isn't all that clear but the fluid exterior lines seem to do the trick and once you're sat at the wheel, there's no indication that the doors are paper thin. The build quality looks strong throughout and Mazda have retained a sporty theme using black trim materials and metallic detailing. The red information display on top of the dash looks a bit low tech initially but it's right in your eye-line and gives at-a-glance access the information you want. The 1.8-litre engine is only offered with the five-door hatch body but as this is the most popular body style, this is no great issue.

Mazda had thankfully resisted the temptation to pack the TS version of the Mazda6 hatch that we had for review it with extras, the only non standard item being £350 worth of metallic paint. It's usefully cheaper than an entry-level Mondeo. This TS model is reasonably well equipped with heated mirrors, climate control, cruise control, an MP3 connection, a CD player and trip computer.

A dash top display shows information on functions that can be marshalled by the steering wheel toggles. These let the driver control the air conditioning, stereo and trip computer without hands leaving the wheel. They take a bit of getting the hang of but it's worth persevering. Mazda has expended considerable effort with the interior lighting and diaplys, so if your first experinece with the Mazda6 is at night it might be quite. illuminating. I also liked the way that the driver's seat armrest can slide backwards and forwards until you find a comfortable position to rest your elbow on it.

An entry-level model stands or falls on its cost effectiveness and Mazda seem to have got their sums right with this 1.8-litre version. It's an inevitability that a good proportion of sales will come from corporate buyers and the Mazda6 1.8's emissions of 162g/km are by no means as good as the diesel cars in the line up but the figure is class competitive. Fuel economy is rated at 41.5mpg on the combined cycle with the highway and city figures coming in at 54.3 and 29.7mpg respectively. We averaged just over 28mpg as a 'real world' figure over 1,000 mixed miles with the car. Make of that what you will.

Make no mistake, the Mazda6 1.8-litre is an extremely good car. In fact it's probably the go-to car in the medium range sector if you're looking for something fun to drive. Usually the sort of cars that put a smile on your face come with hidden stings in the tail, whether they be residual value, fuel costs or insurance ratings. This Mazda has none of those caveats. Finding genuine shortcomings is tough. Perhaps there could be more steering feel and a little less noise at the top of the engine's reach. That's about it.

Where this car scores is in offering a lot of quality vehicle for the money and also in offering a value proposition that not only rivals but the pricier diesel cars in the Mazda6 line up have a tough time getting to grips with. It's refreshing to find a car that doesn't cost the earth but which serves up so much honest entertainment. That it's a practical prospect as well cements my admiration for this Mazda.