THE Mazda6 is still one of the best upper medium cars on the market.
It's more reliable than Ford or even than Mercedes and BMW and it drives like a dream.
Petrol engines in the sleek model built from 2007 to 2012 are 1.8-litre 118bhp, 2.0-litre 153bhp or 2.5-litre 167bhp.
And diesels are 2.0-litre 138bhp or 2.2-litre with either 123, 161 or 182bhp. All are very smooth and quiet but, for sound and fun, there is nothing to compare with the very sweet and free revving 2.0-litre petrol.
That's the one I would buy despite the diesels being more economical. I enjoyed it so much that I made excuses to drive just for the joy of it.
It looks good from every angle, rides beautifully over all kinds of surfaces and clings to the corners like a limpet.
The gearchange is sweet, the clutch light and easy and the power steering one of the best systems on the market.
Inside it's huge, with a boot bigger than the BMW 3-Series Touring, 60/40 folding rear seats and excellent legroom throughout.
The driving position is perfect for all and equipment leaves nothing to the extras list, including Bluetooth, cruise and stability control.
: BMW 318i Touring