Read the full review

Rating

Verdict World-class athlete dressed as a salesman

At first glance, the Mazda 6 MPS appears to be nothing more than a rather lacklustre Korean saloon car. It even has the de rigueur Pacific Rim plastic radiator grille – a little something that bathes the package in an air of cheap nondescriptness.

So, if for some reason, you didn’t want a BMW 3-series, or an Audi A4, or a Mercedes C-class, there’s nothing here to cause even a momentary flutter of the left eyebrow. The Mazda may not even be remotely interesting to behold, but when you turn the key and go for a drive it’s... it’s... it’s amazing.

Under the bonnet there’s a turbocharged 2.3 litre direct injection engine that fires 256bhp at the four-wheel-drive system. This means there’s none of the torque steer you’d get from a powerful front-wheel-drive car. Put your foot down and bang. You’re off.

Six seconds later you’ve exploded past 60 and shortly thereafter you’re up past 140. This really is a magnificent driver’s car.

It handles well, with nicely weighted steering and, sadly, some excellent brakes. I was rather hoping I could run into something which would have broken that idiotic grille. It really does spoil the look of what is a far from ugly car. And it’s the only reason I’m not giving the MPS a five-star rating.

Price when tested (May 2006) £23,995

Model discontinued

Engine 2261cc, four cylinders

Power 256bhp @ 5500rpm

Torque 280 lb ft @ 3000rpm

Transmission Six-speed manual

Fuel 27.7mpg (combined) / 245g/km

0-62mph 6.6sec

Top speed 149mph