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Mazda 6 vs Mazda 3

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Mazda 6
Mazda 6

$35,240 - $55,535

2023 price

Mazda 3
Mazda 3

2024 price

Summary

2023 Mazda 6
2024 Mazda 3
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency
7.6L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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Dislikes
  • Leaning more towards old than retro inside
  • A bit thirsty
  • Terrible reversing camera

  • Small boot
  • Gloomy rear seat
  • No more manual
2023 Mazda 6 Summary

Has it really been 20 years since the humble Mazda6 station wagon hit our roads? You betcha, but I was more shocked that I remembered when it did!

I have a sudden flashback of questionable fashion choices, glittery butterfly hair clips and how Skipper was making a play at being the coolest 'Barbie' (she wasn't).

I've always had a soft spot for wagons, they are the forgotten heroes for family hauling. It's hard not to glide over them when the market is dominated by SUVs but if you happen to remember they still exist (albeit, barely) you might remember why they were popular back in the day.

Being a 20th Anniversary Edition means there are some nods to the past in this model but unlike the low-slung jeans of my youth, they're stylishly done. With some luxuriously-appointed rivals to contend with, like the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat, does it offer enough to be considered by a modern family?

My little family of three has been in it all week to find out for you!

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2024 Mazda 3 Summary

Half a decade on, the current-generation Mazda 3 has weathered a world of change.

Cheap cars have vanished. Electric vehicles are commonplace and the small car class it belongs to has been decimated by SUVs. Big names like the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and Mitsubishi Lancer are history.

But while it looks identical to the car unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show, today’s Mazda 3 has also evolved, albeit gently.

Let’s see how competitive the latest and improved (as well as more expensive) version is.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Mazda 6 2024 Mazda 3

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