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Key facts
Mazda's sweet-handling contender in the Mondeo class gets the same 256bhp 2.3-litre turbo also used in the 3 MPS, with the added benefit of four-wheel drive.

What we said
"Too lazy, too imprecise, too reluctant to go where you want it to. Regardless of the power output, this is not a true sports saloon." (Road test - 1 November 2006 )

John says
"I quite like the 6, especially compared with the 3. The suspension is much better, and the car is much more controllable and easier to drive. It's just a much better car.

"It does everything quite well, and for that reason it doesn't really stand out from the others in this test."

David says
"Unlike John, I drove the 6 first, and I was rather appalled by it. But then I drove the 3, and suddenly the 6 didn't seem so bad after all.

"This is significantly the larger of the two MPS Mazdas, which helps stability, and the four-wheel drive means that one pair of wheels doesn't have to deal with all the power. All this makes a big difference, but as with the 3 there is a major problem with suspension damping, and it makes the 6 much harder work than it needs to be.

"The more I drove this car at Combe, the less I disliked it. It was never much fun, though."

Verdict
Quick but undistinguished.

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