The Mazda 6 has been axed in another market, but the company says there are no plans to discontinue it here.
The mid-sized sedan and wagon range has been discontinued in the UK market, with a company spokesperson telling Autocar the decision was made due to dwindling sales and the increasing popularity of SUVs.
It will remain on sale, however, in select markets across the Channel.
“[The] Mazda 6 remains an important model in the Mazda Australia mix,” said a spokesperson for Mazda Australia when asked what the mid-sizer’s future looks like here.
“We’re looking forward to the launch of the upcoming 20th anniversary model this year, along with an update to the Mazda 6 line up.”
The Mazda 6 was axed in the US and Canadian markets in 2021, but continues to be sold in markets like New Zealand, Japan and China.
A rumoured rear-wheel drive replacement on Mazda’s new Large Architecture, which underpins the CX-60 and upcoming CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 crossovers, hasn’t eventuated.
Such a model would have likely had a more premium positioning than the current car, potentially elevating it to the same level as the Genesis G70 and, in other markets where they’re still sold, the Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50.
Japanese outlet Best Car Web reported last July the Mazda 6 replacement wouldn’t be coming after all.
It’s unclear for how much longer the Mazda 6 will be around. It’s the oldest model in the dwindling mid-sized passenger car segment in Australia and one of the oldest vehicles on the Australian market overall.
It was launched late in 2012 but was the recipient of a fairly substantial facelift in 2018. The next oldest in its segment is the Volkswagen Passat, launched locally in 2015.
While it’s outsold considerably by the Toyota Camry, the Mazda 6 is typically Australia’s second best-selling mid-sizer in the non-premium market. Its segment has been hollowed out in recent years, with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Kia Optima and Subaru Liberty all being discontinued.
For 2023, it has received a special 20th Anniversary edition with new paint finishes and a unique tan suede-and-leather interior.
Touring and up get wireless Apple CarPlay, albeit still with the old 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system running MZD-Connect, while GT SP and Atenza models get the brand’s Cruising and Traffic Support semi-autonomous assistance system.
Mazda also says the six-speed automatic has also been updated to “provide a more direct upshift response and exciting driving feel” while the “reactive force of the accelerator pedal has been increased to provide more direct and intuitive connection to the engine’s torque”.
The wider range also gets an updated power steering system for 2023.
The available turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine has also seen a slight bump in power of 3kW, to 173kW. Peak torque remains at 420Nm.
We’re one of the vanishing few markets to still get the turbocharged engine, along with New Zealand. It was just discontinued in Japan, though that market still receives the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel.
MORE: 2023 Mazda 6 gets wireless Apple CarPlay, 20th Anniversary Edition
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