New 2018 Mazda 6 review – facelifted family car a hidden gem - Performance and 0-60mph

Performance for a mid-sized family saloon and estate are never really going to be a top priority unless it has an AMG or RS badge attached to it. As a result, the Mazda’s powertrains are not particularly impressive on paper, but have other values of which we’ll get into more later.

What you need to know is that the base 2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is just about brisk enough to feel adequate. It’ll reach 62mph in 9.2sec, or 9.4 for the estate model, and top out at 133mph. Top-spec 2.5-litre models reach 62mph in 8.1 and 8.3sec, and will reach a top speed of 139mph.

The difference that the petrol models take advantage of here is response. Once taken into perspective against rival family cars, the Mazda’s emphasis on how the engine feels and responds, rather than performs against the stop-watch, is a key element to take into account. If you’re after Golf GTI levels of performance from your mid-sized family car, look elsewhere, but there’s no doubting the Mazda’s engines deliver what performance they do have with sweetness and enthusiasm.