MAZDA is arguably the most focused marque in the market.

It has a comparatively small range with each model carefully equipped to compete in its sector from its sporting to the social SUV and in between the family Mazda3 and Mazda6.

Last year, Mazda took the step of creating a model aimed specifically at the driver who spends hours on the road and the Mazda6 Business Line was designed from the wheels up to save money but not skimp on specification.

There is only one trim level and it comes with Sanyo TomTom sat nav, Bluetooth and 17-inch alloys.

It does not lack what you would expect in a car costing nearly twice as much and standard equipment includes traction control, stability control, dynamic brake assist and six airbags, cruise control and dual-zone control air conditioning. It is a very pleasant way to cover ground day in and day out.

It has a warm 129ps, 2.2-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox which together keep its emissions down to 133g/km.

Despite its bias towards frugality, it is not a slouch. The beefy four-cylinder engine has good pick up from rest, gathers itself rapidly when you want to overtake and hums quietly along motorways.

It is not the quickest of the Mazda6 range but it is probably the calmest car in the line up.

And that calm is maintained by the cossetting equipment to hand. Air conditioning works well but you have full powered windows if you want to use them instead, but sadly there is no sunroof option.

Access is easy, the seats generous and comfortable with good leg and headroom in particular and I liked the very wide adjustment range of the seats for longer journeys.

There is reasonable oddments space and the boot rises from about 500 litres to over 1,700 litres with a modest sill over which to lift items.

At the other end, the powertrain does a good job and without driving as if carrying eggs you can easily see fuel figures heading into the mid-40s. Really make an effort and it will nudge 50mpg.

It is a responsive powertrain, has a compact turning circle, strong well balanced brakes and the secondary controls are usefully close to hand while instruments are big and clear.

The efficiency and comfort of the Mazda6 Business Line belay its handling ability. It has good grip, is entirely predictable in character, and it rides smoothly if noisily over any surface.

In short it is ideal for regular long distance journeys which it shrugs off without complaint.

The Mazda6 Business Line may not be your first choice as a company car but it might just be your best.