THE current Mazda6 has been the best looking saloon car on the market since its launch.

So when it came to upgrading it for 2017 Mazda did not tinker with its stylish looks and instead concentrated its efforts on making improvements that would make it better to drive, with fresh technology and creature comforts.

A trained eye might notice small cosmetic changes - like the new folding wing mirrors - but the real improvements are all under the skin.

Mazda has introduced an innovative electronic chassis system across the range called G-Vectoring Control or GVC for short.

The new system cleverly adjusts engine torque according to steering input and allows the car's weight to shift more fluidly in bends making it more stable and comfortable in regular driving rather than on the limit.

The system also means that you do not have to make constant adjustments to the steering to keep the car in a straight line.

As the Mazda6 has always been a great driver's car it is difficult to tell the difference but it certainly feels as sharp as ever.

I spent a few days with the Sport Nav Diesel model with the lower powered 150ps version of the 2.2-litre under the bonnet.

Mated to a lovely six-speed manual gearbox it is good for 130mph and sprints to 62mph in a fraction over nine seconds. It provided punchy performance to make overtaking easy and was a brilliant motorway cruiser.

It is very economical with a claimed combined figure of 68.9mpg and emissions rated at 107g/km. I could not get near that figure but still managed to achieve over 50mpg - not bad for a car of this size and performance.

Changes to the engine have made the saloon more refined and coupled with extra sound insulation the cabin is even quieter than before.

The Mazda6 is still a nimble and agile performer for its size and offers bags of grip. It always feels well planted and gives the driver confidence to push on when safe to do so.

The Sport Nav is really well specced with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, LED front fogs, an adaptive front lighting system and a reversing camera.

Inside the cabin is as comfortable and spacious as ever with more tech and quality materials.

The leather seats offer stacks of room for five and the front pair are electrically adjustable and heated. The steering wheel is also heated and you get an excellent large colour display with rotary control and traffic sign recognition.

In addition you get a superb Bose sound system with 11 speakers and all the other toys and connections you could want.

An £800 safety pack option fitted to the test car added adaptive headlights, a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert, a lane-keep assist system and rear smart city brake support.

The huge demand for crossovers and SUVs may be limiting the demand for large saloons but there is no doubt that the Mazda6 still has much to offer.