2006 Mazda 6 MPS review from UK and Ireland

After about nine month's ownership have had a problem with the electrics - leading to the cooling fan not working. It took a week for the part to be supplied. Not impressed with the delay.

This car is great to drive.

Acceleration is truly excellent. Handling is flawless.

It is relatively understated in appearance - no silly raised spoilers etc.

The interior is very comfortable. Leg room for back seat passengers is only adequate though. The boot is cavernous.

The sound system is excellent - but it could do with MP3 compatibility. The saleperson represented that the system had both MP3 and bluetooth. It does not or at least the system fitted to my car does not.

The fuel tank is relatively small for a car that is not exactly the best at fuel economy. I only get about 300 miles out of a full tank of petrol. The engine is designed to take 98RON although seems to run fine with 95RON.

The SAT NAV is easy to use, but quite expensive as an option.

Service intervals are relatively short i.e. 9000 miles, however, I have found service costs to be reasonable. The tyres have all needed tobe repaced at 18000 miles. They are not cheap (but were not going to be).

It is nice to driver a car that is not ubiquitous - it is rare to see another on the road.