IT was the car that in 2002 kick-started the Zoom-Zoom revolution ... but come 2010 it was meaner, sleeker and much better equipped.

The new model may have been a long time coming, but it was certainly worth the wait, for the then 19-model totally refreshed Mazda6 hatch and estate range offered class-leading value combined with stunning performance from each of its choice of six power plants.

Quickly recognised by its new family-look front end, chunky wheel arches, sloping bonnet and redesigned tail light clusters, most of the enhancements were reserved for under the car's skin, where a whole raft of engineering developments to the steering and suspension were also put in place.

The old Mazda6's award-winning dynamism and athleticism had been further enhanced. The electrically-assisted steering was tuned for greater accuracy and feedback, while the double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension featured uprated dampers for improved handling stability and ride comfort.

And what a difference these changes made. I first got to grips with the car starting at Inverness, before heading to Torridon via Applecross with its single-track roads complete with Devil's Elbow-like hairpin bends - not forgetting the wandering sheep and deer - the then new Mazda6 proving a real joy, with its crisp handling and grippy road holding.

With a choice of three petrol and three diesel Euro5-compliant engines ranging from 118bhp to 177bhp, my preference was the mid-range oilburner.

While the punchy 2.2-litre common-rail turbodiesel's overall performance figures remained the same as the outgoing model, offering 160bhp at 3500rpm and 266lb/ft of torque at 1,800rpm, it proved more than four per cent more economical while also cutting harmful emissions by just under five per cent... figures that proved welcoming by business users and fleet managers alike.

Inside the cabin, Mazda's designers had also been busy. New silver ringed dials and controls in the instrument binnacle gave the car a more premium ambiance, while the centre console and steering wheel spokes - which housed the switches for the sound system and cruise control - were highlighted by high-gloss piano-black plastic trim.

A proper five seater, the Mazda6 offered bags of leg and shoulder room, while the boot was good for 510 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1,702 litres with the 60-40 split seats folded.

Driver aids were also well cater for. Dynamic stability control came as standard across the range, as did a full array of air bags, while blind spot warning lights added to the car's safety features.

With its the highly-competitive price tag, the Mazda6 retained its competitiveness and with it's proven reliability and new-found economy, it helped improve on the model's position as one of the best all-round hatchback and estate packages in the extremely-competitive family car sector.

This remains so today, where a used Mazda6 makes a great family favourite. With its peppy turbocharged diesel engine driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, the TS saloon is in my view the best of the bunch.

A 2009 model sporting an 09-plate will cost between £4,735 and £6,230 depending on condition and mileage.

Move on a year and prices will range from £5,695 to £7,315 for a similar model, while a 2011 example with an 11-plate will come in at between £7,410 and £9,285.