Used Car Review: Mazda6 (2015)

The 2015 Mazda GSX we recently retested five years later as a used car, is the mid-spec model, and was praised back in the day for its modern suite of safety features that helped it stand out as a safe choice when new. In fact, in 2019 it was given a five-star Used Car Safety Rating (UCSR).

We asked our AA Motoring Advisor Cade Wilson how he felt about the Mazda6 today:

“The Mazda6 is a model that I would still recommend today as a five-year-old used car, although some features like the electronic handbrake is far more mainstream now than it was back then. The GSX variant has always been my go to recommendation for the Mazda6 as it has just the right amount of features. Furthermore, in my role as an AA Motoring Advisor, over the last five years or so, I have heard very few complaints about this model.”

When new back in 2015, this capacious wagon would set you back $46,745 a good value, today our used test model was just $20,285 (+ORC).

Smoothly Styled

In 2015, the Mazda6 received a facelift. Despite looking much the same from the previous year’s model, it became a more premium offering, with small tweaks here and there. The GSX wagon looks particularly slick with exaggerated front and rear haunches, and a fluid aesthetic keeping with the KODO design philosophy.

The interior is a polished affair with a stitched leather look across the dashboard. There’s also flat silver accents that run across the dash beneath the revised seven-inch touchscreen, that’s controlled with Mazda’s Human Machine Interface (HMI), which uses a click wheel behind the gear shifter and has parallels to the iDrive system used by BMW.

The sound system includes what’s now quite ‘retro’ – a CD player. You can also use the more modern method of streaming your music, either via Bluetooth connectivity or a standard USB port. There’s an additional volume control mounted to the left of the gear shifter for your passenger (which is a very Audi-like touch.)

Satellite navigation and a reverse camera to aid parking is included, and the climate control system and HMI controls have detailed chrome knobs that are reminiscent of the kit you’d normally find in cars made by more premium marques. Another interesting touch is the start/stop button oddly located on the dashboard to the right of the infotainment screen.

As mentioned earlier, USB ports are included for charging, and there’s also two well-placed large cup holders which can be concealed with a concertina lid.

The wagon offers a sizable boot capacity of 506 litres, and if you run out of room you can fold the seats flat to offer a huge 1,648 litres of space. On top of this, there’s also roof rails so you can add even more storage flexibility for adventure toys like kayaks or push bikes.

Still safe and sound

The 2015 model received some serious safety system upgrades, with the addition of adaptive LED headlights for optimum night vision, Lane-Keep Assist (LKA), and Driver Attention Alert (DAA). The GSX model also comes equipped with Mazda's Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS).

Practical With pull

This wagon is 4,800mm in length without feeling terribly bulky to drive. You’ll never feel like you need more power thanks to the Mazda6’s vibrant SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre motor, which produces 138kW and an impressive 250Nm of torque. Years on, the conventional six-speed transmission is still obedient, and just a flip of a switch to activate ‘Sport’ mode sharpens the gear changes. The Mazda6 can also tow a decent amount too, with a braked capacity of 1,500kg.

The 2015 model also included some suspension refinements, with Mazda claiming that it was 25 per cent quieter compared to the previous year’s variant. The tweaks made to achieve this included new window seals, floor mats, suspension mounts and even the seat foam. This is something Mazda seem to be striving for even today - we recently learned about how they went to great lengths to quieten the cabin of the latest CX-30 compact SUV.

Verdict: How has the Mazda6 fared against the test of time?

Well, not too badly at all. Cosmetically, it’s still robust and mechanically it performs well. If you’re looking for a sensible, spacious family vehicle that is peppered with premium touches and safety features, then the Mazda6 could be for you. It’s available in both sedan and wagon variants.

Safety features include:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Airbags
• EBD
• Cruise Control
• Brake Assist
• Crash avoidance with Braking (Low speed)
• Rear Vision Camera
• Traction Control

For more information on safety ratings visit rightcar.govt.nz

Choosing you next used car?

A good start is to find a vehicle that has been AA Appraised. AA Appraised used cars have received a 43-point mechanical check by the AA, which focuses on the mechanical and safety aspects of the car and gives an overall evaluation of the vehicle.

Click here to find out more about AA Appraised used cars.

Get total peace of mind with an AA Pre Purchase Inspection

When you buy a used car, you may have a number of questions about its condition and safety. An independent AA Pre Purchase Vehicle Inspection will give you complete peace of mind with a comprehensive 100+ point vehicle check by an experienced mechanic.

Click here for more information on AA Pre Purchase Inspections.

Thank you to City Motor Group for supplying us with the 2015 Mazda6 for review. For similar listings, click here.

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a car 

• AA Preferred Dealers - aa.co.nz/preferred
• AA Pre Purchase Inspections - aa.co.nz/inspections
• AA Valuations - aa.co.nz/valuations
• AA History Report - aa.co.nz/vehiclehistory
• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews

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