Posh enough for the MD, spacious enough for the whole family, talented enough for the most demanding – can the Mazda 6 TD Estate really be all things to all people? Neil Hopkins looks into it.

 

When driving the multi award winning Mazda 6 Estate, one thought flew through my mind before any other – who ever thought that diesels could be so much fun? The gutsy 2.0-litre turbo diesel power plant kicks out a respectable 121bhp with lashings of torque – making overtaking even in 6th gear a cinch.

Even more importantly, the driving dynamics are excellent. The seating position is superb, and the suspension is perfectly set up for UK roads. There’s no body roll and the ride feels tight and controlled.

On the road, the Mazda 6 just wafts along, making 70mph feel like about 40mph. It’s all so effortless, so controlled, so easy. There’s little detectable wind noise either, which is always a bonus if you do long journeys on a regular basis. It’s pretty quick as well, with 60mph disappearing in under ten seconds.

In terms of interior quality and luxury, on first glance the TS level I tested looked a little, well, dull. It was all very stylishly black and there was a lot of minimalist dashboard, but the first impression went no further than that. However, after a few minutes’ inspection, it becomes apparent just how well designed the cabin is. So well designed in fact that the long list of standard gizmos simply blends unobtrusively in to the scenery. The most touched surfaces (door handles, steering wheel, gear lever and hand brake) are made of really tactile materials – a little trick used by car designers to infer an impression of quality so that they can get away with less in other areas.

But, it must be said, the quality finish extends right through the estate without dilution. All of the controls are well positioned and easy to use. The standard of build in the cabin is exceptionally high, with no annoying rattles or squeaks to distract me from the test drive experience. And the seats are not only well proportioned and comfortable but properly adjustable as well – so whatever your size, you’ll be able to get a decent driving position almost straight away.

Behind the driver, the rear and boot space is nothing short of cavernous. Whether you’re taking your sales team out for an off-site departmental or shepherding the kids between school and karate classes, you’ll be amazed at just how much you can fit in, thanks to the innovative Karakuri seating system.

The Mazda 6 estate heads up the acclaimed family 6, which includes a four door and five door version, as well as a suitably bonkers 2.3-litre turbo charged all wheel drive MPS version. Each offers their own take on the award winning 6 platform – but one thing is for certain with all of them; they really are all things to all people.