Likes
- The looks…
- Great value for money
- Excellent handling and a comfortable ride
- Interior fit and finish is pushing luxury car territory
Used Mazda 6 (GL) review
2016 - 2022
Dislikes
- Sporty ride might not be for everyone
- Some features like Apple CarPlay are only available on later models
- Ummm…
Stuff you should know
The Mazda 6 GL features Mazda’s signature Kodo design language, which emphasises sleek lines, a bold front grille, and an overall athletic appearance. It has a distinctive and modern look that sets it apart from other sedans in its class.
Inside the Mazda 6 GL, you’ll find a well-designed and driver-focused cabin. The interior materials are of high quality, with a blend of premium finishes and soft-touch surfaces. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the overall layout is ergonomic, making it a pleasant place to spend time.
The Mazda 6 GL offers a responsive and engaging driving experience. It is powered by a range of Skyactiv-G petrol engines, with options for both 2.2-litre and 2.5-litre variants, depending on the model year. These engines deliver a good balance of power and fuel efficiency. The Mazda 6 GL is known for its handling and sporty suspension, providing an enjoyable driving experience.
The Mazda 6 GL is equipped with a range of advanced technology and safety features. Depending on the model year and trim level, it may include a touchscreen infotainment system with Mazda Connect, smartphone integration (such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Mazda has focused on offering a comprehensive suite of safety features to enhance driver and passenger protection.
What goes wrong
Luckily, it’s pretty good news with the Mazda 6 GL. However, some issues to be aware of include:
Many owners have reported sunroof glass is breaking unexpectedly.
This isn’t really an issue woitht eh There’s a problem with a black box that has sensors attached to the front windshield, behind the rearview mirror. It’s blocking the view for the driver and passenger, which makes it hard to see.Additionally, the slope of the roof at the back of the car is too low, so it’s hard to see what’s behind. This could be dangerous for the people inside the car and for other drivers on the road.
The leather on the steering wheel cracks and gets damaged over time. Owners have also reported that the headrest makes a rattling noise, which could be a problem for safety and comfort.
The Mazda 6 (GL 2016-2022) has a big problem with its fuel pump. The problem is so severe Mazda recalled 90,363 cars across seven different models, including the Mazda 6. If you’re in the market for a Mazda 6, make sure this recall has been seen to.
Some owners have had trouble with the transmission. They’ve had difficulty shifting and the gears sometimes slip.
Recalls:
- July 2019: A recall was issued for 18,719 of the 2018 – 2019 Mazda 3 and 6 models. The Power-Train Control Module (PCM) software, controls the cylinder deactivation mechanism, was discovered to be malfunctioning.
- October 2019: A recall was issued for 34,122 vehicles manufactured in the year range 2012 – 2018. The affected Mazda models exhibit an issue related to the accumulation of carbon deposits within the engine’s intake shutter valve, which results in premature wear of some engine components.
- December 2021: Mazda Australia issued a recall for a total of 90,363 vehicles for the years 2017-2019. The reason for the recall is attributed to a potential fault with the low-pressure fuel pump impeller, which may become deformed and ultimately cause the fuel pump to malfunction, leading to the vehicle stalling.
Luckily, it’s pretty good news with the Mazda 6 GL. However, some issues to be aware of include:
Many owners have reported sunroof glass is breaking unexpectedly.
This isn’t really an issue woitht eh There’s a problem with a black box that has sensors attached to the front windshield, behind the rearview mirror. It’s blocking the view for the driver and passenger, which makes it hard to see.Additionally, the slope of the roof at the back of the car is too low, so it’s hard to see what’s behind. This could be dangerous for the people inside the car and for other drivers on the road.
The leather on the steering wheel cracks and gets damaged over time. Owners have also reported that the headrest makes a rattling noise, which could be a problem for safety and comfort.
The Mazda 6 (GL 2016-2022) has a big problem with its fuel pump. The problem is so severe Mazda recalled 90,363 cars across seven different models, including the Mazda 6. If you’re in the market for a Mazda 6, make sure this recall has been seen to.
Some owners have had trouble with the transmission. They’ve had difficulty shifting and the gears sometimes slip.
Recalls:
- July 2019: A recall was issued for 18,719 of the 2018 – 2019 Mazda 3 and 6 models. The Power-Train Control Module (PCM) software, controls the cylinder deactivation mechanism, was discovered to be malfunctioning.
- October 2019: A recall was issued for 34,122 vehicles manufactured in the year range 2012 – 2018. The affected Mazda models exhibit an issue related to the accumulation of carbon deposits within the engine’s intake shutter valve, which results in premature wear of some engine components.
- December 2021: Mazda Australia issued a recall for a total of 90,363 vehicles for the years 2017-2019. The reason for the recall is attributed to a potential fault with the low-pressure fuel pump impeller, which may become deformed and ultimately cause the fuel pump to malfunction, leading to the vehicle stalling.
Luckily, it’s pretty good news with the Mazda 6 GL. However, some issues to be aware of include:
Many owners have reported sunroof glass is breaking unexpectedly.
This isn’t really an issue woitht eh There’s a problem with a black box that has sensors attached to the front windshield, behind the rearview mirror. It’s blocking the view for the driver and passenger, which makes it hard to see.Additionally, the slope of the roof at the back of the car is too low, so it’s hard to see what’s behind. This could be dangerous for the people inside the car and for other drivers on the road.
The leather on the steering wheel cracks and gets damaged over time. Owners have also reported that the headrest makes a rattling noise, which could be a problem for safety and comfort.
The Mazda 6 (GL 2016-2022) has a big problem with its fuel pump. The problem is so severe Mazda recalled 90,363 cars across seven different models, including the Mazda 6. If you’re in the market for a Mazda 6, make sure this recall has been seen to.
Some owners have had trouble with the transmission. They’ve had difficulty shifting and the gears sometimes slip.
Recalls:
- July 2019: A recall was issued for 18,719 of the 2018 – 2019 Mazda 3 and 6 models. The Power-Train Control Module (PCM) software, controls the cylinder deactivation mechanism, was discovered to be malfunctioning.
- October 2019: A recall was issued for 34,122 vehicles manufactured in the year range 2012 – 2018. The affected Mazda models exhibit an issue related to the accumulation of carbon deposits within the engine’s intake shutter valve, which results in premature wear of some engine components.
- December 2021: Mazda Australia issued a recall for a total of 90,363 vehicles for the years 2017-2019. The reason for the recall is attributed to a potential fault with the low-pressure fuel pump impeller, which may become deformed and ultimately cause the fuel pump to malfunction, leading to the vehicle stalling.
Should you buy it?
If you’re sick of the same-same look of SUVs knocking around on Aussie roads, but you still need something hugely practical to haul the family, the Mazda 6 is almost impossible to ignore, especially if you get the wagon. And, in terms of looks, we’d argue the wagon is actually better looking than the sedan.
Whether it’s a sedan or wagon you’re after, you’ll get a properly engaging ride and if the budget can stretch to the 2.5-litre engine, more than enough performance and even enough if you want to have a bit of a poke on some windy roads.
Over the life of the GL Mazda 6, the Japanese brand perfectly illustrated the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra, gradually honing the Mazda 6 to be one of the most attractive medium cars on the market. It comes loaded with plenty of standard kit to future-proof it as a family car, but if you’re after things like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, you can only get that standard from 2019. Though if the bank account can’t quite stretch that far, you can still retrofit pre-2019 Mazda 6s with phone mirroring at a cost of a few hundred bucks.
What’s more, owners have had very few complaints and reported faults are not what we’d call plentiful. There have been a few recalls, so make sure they’ve been seen to if you’re looking at one.
If you’re sick of the same-same look of SUVs knocking around on Aussie roads, but you still need something hugely practical to haul the family, the Mazda 6 is almost impossible to ignore, especially if you get the wagon. And, in terms of looks, we’d argue the wagon is actually better looking than the sedan.
Whether it’s a sedan or wagon you’re after, you’ll get a properly engaging ride and if the budget can stretch to the 2.5-litre engine, more than enough performance and even enough if you want to have a bit of a poke on some windy roads.
Over the life of the GL Mazda 6, the Japanese brand perfectly illustrated the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra, gradually honing the Mazda 6 to be one of the most attractive medium cars on the market. It comes loaded with plenty of standard kit to future-proof it as a family car, but if you’re after things like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, you can only get that standard from 2019. Though if the bank account can’t quite stretch that far, you can still retrofit pre-2019 Mazda 6s with phone mirroring at a cost of a few hundred bucks.
What’s more, owners have had very few complaints and reported faults are not what we’d call plentiful. There have been a few recalls, so make sure they’ve been seen to if you’re looking at one.
Should you buy it?
If you’re sick of the same-same look of SUVs knocking around on Aussie roads, but you still need something hugely practical to haul the family, the Mazda 6 is almost impossible to ignore, especially if you get the wagon. And, in terms of looks, we’d argue the wagon is actually better looking than the sedan.
Whether it’s a sedan or wagon you’re after, you’ll get a properly engaging ride and if the budget can stretch to the 2.5-litre engine, more than enough performance and even enough if you want to have a bit of a poke on some windy roads.
Over the life of the GL Mazda 6, the Japanese brand perfectly illustrated the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra, gradually honing the Mazda 6 to be one of the most attractive medium cars on the market. It comes loaded with plenty of standard kit to future-proof it as a family car, but if you’re after things like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, you can only get that standard from 2019. Though if the bank account can’t quite stretch that far, you can still retrofit pre-2019 Mazda 6s with phone mirroring at a cost of a few hundred bucks.
What’s more, owners have had very few complaints and reported faults are not what we’d call plentiful. There have been a few recalls, so make sure they’ve been seen to if you’re looking at one.
Need help with finance?
Powered by
Buying a used car? Buy a PPSR report first.
Have ultimate peace of mind when buying a used car by purchasing an official PPSR report.
In the market?
Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of May 16, 2022.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
Read our full terms and conditions here.
