Mazda 6 axed in the UK, safe for Australia

The once-popular Mazda 6 sedan and wagon will be discontinued in the United Kingdom, with no direct replacement planned.

It marks the end of the line for the third-generation model, which first debuted in 2012 – but it'll remain available in Australia, at least for now.

"Mazda6 remains an important model in the Mazda Australia mix," said a spokesperson for the brand's local arm.

"We're looking forward to the launch of the upcoming 20th Anniversary model this year, along with an update to the Mazda6 line up."

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The Mazda 6 will also continue to be offered in other European markets.

It follows the deletion of the Mazda 6 from the brand's North American range in 2021 – alongside the CX-3 – to focus on better-selling vehicles, including the CX-30, CX-5 and CX-50 SUVs.

The CX-3 was also discontinued in Europe at the end of 2021, but it remains Australia's best-selling light SUV, despite its age.

A spokesperson for Mazda UK told Top Gear: “With the launch of the Mazda CX-60 PHEV and the upcoming CX-60 diesel, as well as the well-established Mazda CX-5 – SUV consumer demand continues to grow and this is where the focus is for dealers and in the UK market."

“This, combined with declining UK sales in the saloon and estate car sector, mean we have ended sales of the Mazda 6 in the UK.

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While the Mazda 6 is slowly vanishing from several markets, it remains available in Japan and Australia, with an updated model imminent.

To commemorate two decades since the arrival of the first-generation 6, Mazda will launch a new 20th Anniversary grade based on the flagship Atenza, with unique badging, an updated interior colour palette, and the brand's new 'artisan red' and 'rhodium white' finishes.

The existing range has also received minor updates for model-year 2023, with traffic jam assist for the GT SP and Atenza, and wireless Apple CarPlay and a wireless phone charger on the Touring and above.

As before, the Mazda 6 includes an ageing 8-inch infotainment unit, rather than the larger 8.8-, 10.25 or 12.3-inch screens available in the 3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-60, CX-8 and CX-9 with its latest infotainment system.

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Under the bonnet, the flagship 2.5-litre turbo remains – despite its deletion in Japan – but with a slight power bump to 173kW (at 4250rpm), up 3kW.

Turbo models also receive a retuned six-speed automatic transmission, and the characteristics of the electric power-assisted steering are revised to "enhance response and provide more tactile feedback at medium and high speeds."

VFACTS new-car sales figures reveal 1511 examples of the Mazda 6 were sold in Australia in 2022, placing it behind the hugely popular Toyota Camry (9538), but ahead of the Skoda Octavia (963) and Volkswagen Passat (759).