It’s official: the Mazda 6 is being discontinued in Australia.
That’s right, the popular Japanese family sedan and station wagon will no longer be available when current stocks run out, meaning yet another car brand will leave the mainstream mid-size passenger car segment.
This is despite the fact that the Mazda 6 is still the third best seller in this category, even though the current model dates from 2012.
So Australians will have one less option when it comes to mid-size sedans and wagons costing between $35,000 and $60,000, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any left.
Although the population is declining, the mid-size car market is actually growing, mainly thanks to the new Toyota Camry and BYD Seal, and the Hyundai Sonata. Honda Accord sales continue to trickle down and while the Volkswagen Passat has also been axed, the segment is getting an injection from the facelifted Skoda Octavia.
Together, the Camry and Seal found 15,401 and 6,393 new homes, respectively, in 2024, accounting for more than 85 percent of sales in the sub-$60,000 midsize car segment. The Mazda 6 delivered 1,354 deliveries last year, good for a market share of only 5.5 percent.
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Since this will soon be gone and the new Deepal-sourced Mazda 6e electric sedan is yet to be confirmed for Australia, it’s worth listing some alternatives to help those who still prefer a traditional mid-size car , instead of one of many. mid-size SUVs that now make it the most popular new vehicle type in the country.
Of course, there’s still stock of the Mazda 6 available, and it’s still doing quite well against its competitors, but that won’t last forever as production of Australian cars had already ended before the announcement of the local shutdown of the model this week.
We asked the members of the AutoExpert team what their choices are for a Mazda 6 alternative, and told them they could take some liberties by suggesting something off the beaten path if they wanted.
Here are some of the Mazda 6’s closest competitors that the team got for inspiration:
Let us know your choice in the comments below!
Marton Pettendy: Skoda Octavia
I would feel confident buying a Skoda Octavia as it comes with the very latest German design, technology and refinement at a very reasonable price.
In fact, the new entry-level Select version of the facelifted fourth-generation Octavia in sedan form costs just $41,490 – $1000 less than the vehicle it replaces, despite its fresh looks, larger 13.0-inch multimedia touchscreen and additional safety features. .
That makes it only slightly more expensive than the cheapest Toyota Camry or the outgoing Mazda 6, and much cheaper than the BYD Seal EV, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata N Line, and this European liftback looks a lot sexier than any of those Asian sedans.
For another $2500 you can have the much more spacious and practical wagon, or wait a few months for the more stylish Sportline or the more powerful RS performance versions of the latest Czech mid-size car.
Do you want to buy a Skoda Octavia? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Skoda Octavia
Sean Lander: BYD Stamp Premium
Obviously the Camry is the one to choose – in fact, it’s what most people chose over the Mazda 6.
But I’ll put on my sensible hat and buy an EV. The mid-range Seal costs $52,990 before on-roads, is faster than virtually all of its combustion-powered rivals, and has better infotainment, a very comfortable ride and plenty of space.
Plus, I can feel good about going greener than James’ choice. I can also speak from some experience as my parents actually bought a Seal Premium and call me regularly with updates on how it’s going and how much money it’s saving them, which means they can put more gas into their Ram 1500…
The only thing that might put buyers off is the residual value, but given the current updated leasing options on the table and the deals that BYD regularly offers, it gets my seal of approval. Oh no, maybe I jumped the shark there…
Interested in purchasing a BYD stamp? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything BYD seal
William Stopford: Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry
The head says Toyota Camry, the heart says Hyundai Sonata.
Wait, what? Heart and Sonata?
Well, Hyundai is only offering its midsize sedan here in N Line guise, with a punchy 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a smooth-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
It’s an enjoyable drive, and the Sonata N Line is also attractive inside and out and comes fully loaded.
But fun-to-drive aside, the Camry handily beats the Sonata in many important respects.
Fuel consumption is sensational, while interior space is much better.
It’s not that it’s a limp thing to drive either, because in addition to great driving comfort, it also has a well-balanced chassis. It’s not as fun as the Sonata, but it still feels composed while being softer and quieter.
Personally, I’d like to invest in the top-spec SL to get the full Lexus-on-a-budget experience… and so people don’t think it’s an Uber or an unmarked police car.
If you’re replacing a Mazda 6 wagon, I’d steer you toward the lovely Skoda Octavia… but the practical Czech got plenty of love in this article!
Interested in buying a Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers about the Sonata hereand the Camry here
MORE: Everything Hyundai Sonata
MORE: Everything Toyota Camry
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia
This was a surprisingly difficult choice, even though I ultimately went with old believers.
The new Toyota Camry is a brilliant car. Having driven one briefly recently, the hybrid system is undoubtedly class-leading, and in SL guise you wonder why you’d ever want to buy a Lexus ES.
The same can be said for the latest Honda Accord, which is packed with technology and is perhaps the most premium option here.
But I just can’t get past an Octavia in RS guise. My liftback is 10 years old and although prices have increased (now starting at almost $60,000 without change), the upcoming fourth-generation facelift will continue to build on a very successful formula.
Give me one in silver to match the one I already have.
Do you want to buy a Skoda Octavia? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Skoda Octavia
James Wong: Toyota Camry
I recently drove the latest Camry in top-spec SL form, and it was brilliant.
While older generations have been labeled as shabby and boring, the new one is designed to look and feel like one of Toyota’s premium Crown products – more in line with what the Mazda 6 did so elegantly for years.
Where the Mazda lacked a more economical powertrain after the demise of its torquey twin-turbo diesel, the Camry’s proven hybrid system ensures that fuel consumption is insanely low in the low 4.0 l/100 km range with little effort.
For the kind of driving typical family sedans can do – whether for personal use or shared rides – it’s comfortable, quiet and incredibly efficient. What more could you want?
Do you want to buy a Toyota Camry? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Toyota Camry
Jack Snel: Mazda CX-5
I know this won’t be the most popular response since I’m suggesting you should buy an SUV instead of a sedan/wagon, but hear me out.
The next most logical choice if you can no longer get a Mazda 6 and still want to shop in the same showroom is to look at the CX-5. There will be a new one, but the current CX-5 is based on the same platform as the Six and shares many components, including engines.
The CX-5, like the Mazda 6, is a surprisingly dynamic car to drive. It’s fun to drive around on winding roads, but it also doubles as a comfortable commuter.
Compared to the Mazda 6, you get a higher ride height, which many buyers are looking for because it gives more confidence behind the wheel. It also makes it easier to put children in car seats because you don’t have to lean as far.
Another difference worth considering is that the CX-5 has the option of all-wheel drive. Handy for those who want to go off the beaten track, or for example into the snow.
Finally, even if you don’t think this answer is relevant, it’s clear that many Mazda 6 buyers have already moved on to crossovers like the CX-5. Last year the CX-5 outsold the Mazda 6 by almost 17 to one, which is just one example of why conventional cars are a dying breed in Australia.
Interested in buying a Mazda CX-5? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mazda CX-5
Josh Nevett: Hyundai i30 N Sedan
More than a month later, I still cherish the twilight of a week in the Hyundai i30 N.
My tester was a hatchback instead of the sedan, but the extended sedan is just as fun to drive and just as practical.
Sure, the Korean performance car won’t be as comfortable or luxurious as the Mazda, but it will spice up your daily commute in ways that will quickly become addictive. Just get a load of that exhaust note!
Indeed, I didn’t want to part with the N-hatch, and from what I understand, few owners do either once they take the plunge.
Flagship Premium examples ask $52,000 before they hit the road, just shy of top-spec Mazda 6 money, which is a bargain for a car that’s equally well equipped to handle rush-hour traffic and cross-country touring, and which can also drive on track days.
Interested in buying a Hyundai i30? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Hyundai i30
Max Davies: Subaru Outback Sport XT
A big part of the Mazda 6’s appeal was the fact that you could get it as a station wagon. Unfortunately, if the mid-sized passenger car is a dying breed in Australia, this body style might as well be dead in the water.
Although the Octavia will be the last regular mid-size car available in station wagon form, the departure of the Mazda 6 also leaves only one Japanese manufacturer selling station wagons in Australia, and that is Subaru. Cars from Japan are already seriously rare, while European brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi are usually much more established in the scene.
So there are two options left for a Japanese car. You could go for the WRX Sportswagon, although these days it’s really just a vaguely performance-oriented CVT-only model, with little more than a hint of the iconic WRX pedigree.
Instead, I choose the Outback. It’s officially a large SUV, but technically it’s a lifted wagon that straddles the line between car and SUV, making it an incredibly versatile Mazda 6 alternative. You have a choice of naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines, plenty of boot space, all-wheel drive and a ride height that makes it comfortable to take off-road on weekends.
It also doesn’t have to adhere to any performance heritage like the WRX, which means you can happily make do with the grunt offered by the two turbo XT trims.
At $53,190 before on-roads, the Outback Sport XT is even marginally cheaper than the top-spec Mazda 6 Atenza turbo wagon, and from a value perspective it seems hard to look past.
Do you want to buy a Subaru Outback? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Subaru Outback
