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Mazda6 Saloon 2.0 GT Sport

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Generation Game

Generation Game

Last of the line

ONCE THEY BESTRODE THE UK’S motorways like rep-driven colossi.

Upper-medium saloons were the salesman’s tool of choice – Cavaliers and Sierras became Mondeos and Vectras, and later Insignias, Passats and Superbs. Who doesn’t love a decent-sized, well-equipped saloon?

It wasn’t just the sales executive’s choice. The private hire sector always opted for the three-box saloon, especially models with German or – especially – Japanese reliability. Toyota Avensis, Nissan Primera, Honda Accord – all populated the PH fleets for many years.

But tastes change, and “Mondeo Man” has transferred his – or her – taste to the Sports- Utility vehicle. So much so that the big, volume brand saloon is becoming an endangered species. This year, Vauxhall has axed the Insignia, VW has limited Passat sales to estate-only, and in the cruelest cut of all, the Mondeo itself has been culled from the Ford range.

Not good news for private hire drivers who still favour a saloon. But all is not lost, as the Mazda 6 is still around – for the time being at least.

A new consignment has recently arrived in the UK, and we’ve got hold of one to test for a few months.

As big saloons go, the Mazda 6 has always been one of the most attractive looking cars in its segment. It also has a high level of equipment and a very comfortable, welcoming interior.

Delivered in metallic Soul Red I immediately thought about Little’s in Scotland, whose fleet sports a similar colour. And while the Mazda 6 is perhaps not enough of a chauffeur car for a top-end operator like Little’s, it’s not far off. With GT-Line spec, you get heated and ventilated leather seats that are certainly comfortable. The legroom in the rear is good and the boot is roomy at 480 litres – not quite a match for the car that’s now pretty much its only rival – the Skoda Superb – but more than capable of taking a couple of large suitcases

This car also comes with an 11-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display, LED headlights, adaptive front lighting, keyless entry, electrically-adjustable seats and a heated steering wheel.

There are plenty of storage options for those odds and ends you might need on a journey. There’s a large glovebox and door bins that’ll fit a bottle of water, plus a tray for your mobile in front of the gearlever. There’s also a sizeable cubby in the centre console which has a sliding lid.

It’s a cut above a lot of the cars you might see on a private hire fleet. For an operator looking for a car that can do corporate work as well as general airport runs, it’s a very good option.

I haven’t done any major mileage yet but I will be adding some major motorway miles later this month which will give me a better indication of the all important fuel economy and ride comfort that are essentials in our market. But I’m already enjoying the car.

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