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Mazda 6 Review Is This Stylish Saloon the Smartest Used Car Buy
The Mazda 6 is a Ford Mondeo rival with rakish styling and lightweight, low-emissions tech Think ‘executive saloon’ and your mind’s eye probably sees a BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz.But the Germans haven’t always had this market segment to themselves, so if you’re on the lookout for something a little left-field but which still majors on economy, practicality and engagement (plus a touch of style), then consider the third-generation Mazda 6. All versions of Hiroshima’s high-miler were handsome and well received, but the Mk3 of 2013 brought generational changes in the form of clever powertrain tech and bucketloads of kerb appeal that today make it a particularly canny used buy – not least because it avoids the same sort of badge tax as its German contemporaries.Mazda’s Skyactiv tech centred on maximising the efficiency of its four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines without unduly denting performance.By giving both engines the same basic structure and an identical 14:1 compression ratio, the 6 could extract more energy from less fuel, with a claimed 15% increase in fuel economy and correspondingly lower CO2 emissions.That makes for some pretty agreeable running cost figures, most closely associated with the 2.2-litre diesel four-pots, with either 148bhp or 173bhp. Both do around 45mpg day to day, but expect even greater efficiency on the motorway, with 55mpg in sight. Opt for the manual ’box (which offers more driver engagement) over the six-speed auto and you will pay a maximum of £35 road tax, too.The oil-burners are refined, too: there’s no clatter from under the bonnet, and while 8.0sec to 62mph doesn’t sound impressive on paper, you won’t find it wanting on slip-roads, and its throttle response is surprisingly good for a diesel.You can also have the 6 with a 2.0-litre petrol four making either 143bhp or 163bhp. The entry-level petrol lacks pace, and while the more powerful lump provides more pep, it can get vocal at higher revs. Regardless of powertrain, the 6 rides comfortably and settles into a cruise with ease. It can come undone at lower speeds, where it struggles to iron out potholes and sharp edges.That said, it delivers on the agility front and is far more rewarding to punt down a B-road run than a Ford Mondeo or Volkswagen Passat. It feels nimble and has accurate steering, and the body is kept well in check. The saloon has a 480-litre boot, which is more than good enough for a few suitcases or golf clubs, but if you’re hauling pushchairs and the other clobber that comes with having a family, the estate is more practical, giving up to 1648 litres with the seats folded.You can grab a 6 for less than £2000, but this will tie you to well-used examples with well over 100,000 miles on the clock; with a budget of around £6000, you will easily find a tidy saloon or estate. Material quality is a mixed bag in early models, so we would at least aim for a facelifted 2015 example, which has decent kit across the range, plusher materials and a neater 7.0in infotainment screen. The 6 was facelifted again in 2018 and received a new 2.5-litre 191bhp petrol engine, but they’re a rare find and don’t really offer much more performance. You will pay around £9000 for one, too.Whatever your budget, though, the 6 is a brilliant all-rounder that still looks as suave and sophisticated as it did when launched more than 10 years ago. 
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Alpine Reinvents the Sports Car with Button-Heavy, Driver-Focused Electric A110
Current A110's cockpit majors on physical controls and the next car will follow suitSporting brand will major on analogue over digital tech in upcoming models as "it's not the car that drives you"
The next-generation Alpine A110 will introduce a new driver-focused cockpit design majoring on physical controls, which will then be rolled out to all of its models.
The third-generation A110, due to launch next year with exclusively electric power and previewed below, will be the brand's first model to feature a completely bespoke interior, rather than one adapted from sibling brand Renault's cars - and the company will major on analogue switchgear over digital controls.
Alpine design boss Antony Villain spoke to reporters as the brand's new A390 SUV made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and said that the brand will emphasise the importance of driver engagement and minimise distraction with its next-gen cabins.
"Starting on the future A110 we will enter a new generation of cockpit that will be really, really new. We'll stay with the same ingredients, but we push further. Once again, we are now building something really strong and this will be developed on all the cars that are coming."
The Alpine A290 hot hatchback is based on the Renault 5 and so largely shares that car's cockpit, with a large wraparound digital display on the dashboard, while the A390 has a similar set-up to the Renault Mégane E-Tech, with most functions controlled by a 12in portrait touchscreen.
Villain acknowledged that such screens are the norm now, because "customers want technology on purpose", but said Alpine's more driver-focused cars need a more traditional and physical approach. "So we'll have a lot of physical button mixing with minimal digital things."
"Of course there is this trend of having screens everywhere, but to be honest, when you want to focus on driving, you don't really focus on screens. You need to have instinctive access to every crucial function," he said.
"But you have also an emotional relation with the machine, and you control the machines - it's not the screens controlling the machine.
"When you buy a sports car, you want to be in control. You don't want the car to start itself. You want to master the car. You want to start the car. You have your ritual. You want to set your things.
"It's not the car that drives you and controls you, it's the opposite."
Villain also gave some more clues as to the final design of the electric A110, revealing that "there are no retro cues", unlike the current car which is heavily inspired by the 1960s A110.
There will, however, be "all the codes of the A110" so it is recognisable as the descendant of today's mid-engined car - the quad headlights and squat, mid-engined silhouette being cited as key examples. However, the "form language" he said, will be more closely related to the A390 - so expect a sharply pointed nose, a swooping roofline and swollen arches to be among its defining characteristics.
Villain emphasised that the electric A110 will be no taller than the outgoing petrol car, hinting that it will not have its battery under the floor as is conventional with EVs - but perhaps behind the seats for optimal weight distribution, or arranged in a T-shape like the Maserati Granturismo Folgore.
"We'll keep it super low. It's super important that we keep it low."
Villain refused to be drawn on when the wraps will come off the electric A110, following the recent release of the first official preview image, but the current ICE car has only months left in production and it is likely the company will look to minimise the length of time its halo product is off the market.
Company bosses earlier confirmed that – as well as being as low as the current car – the new A110 will also be lighter than its combustion-engined rivals, despite the switch to EV.
Outgoing Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo told Autocar that the company had made a “not rational” decision to “invest a lot of money” in a bespoke electric sports car platform for the next A110 and its derivatives – including a 2+2 version called the A310 – but it had “looked at Porsche for inspiration” in how to successfully build a sports brand.
“Porsche has the 911 [platform] as their own, and then they use others [VW Group architectures] for the likes of the Taycan and Cayenne. You keep the heart then as very true to the brand,” he said.
To that end, the Alpine sports car platform – called APP – will be uncompromising in its purpose to root the French brand in performance models, which then lends credibility to its more lifestyle-focused mainstream models, such as the new A390.
“The next A110 will be lighter than a comparable car with a combustion engine but with no compromise in performance,” said de Meo.
He added that making the bespoke architecture was objectively “a completely stupid decision” due to the likely return on investment in pure sales terms. A planned tie-up with Lotus on the architecture fell through but Alpine places such importance on bona fide sports cars that it has continued development by itself.
Alpine has experimented with lightweight electric models previously, such as with the A110 E-ternité concept, an electric conversion of the current A110 that just undercut the Porsche 718 Boxster at 1400kg.
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MG Unveils High-Tech Electric Saloon and SUV to Challenge Tesla in the UK
MG confirms imminent UK launch for Model 3 and Model Y rivals, priced at £40k and £48k respectively
MG has launched a new brand in the UK that will rival Tesla with a high-tech saloon and crossover in the vein of the Model 3 and Model Y.
The new IM 5 and IM 6 – revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – are the first UK-bound models from the recently established EV marque IM, which launched in China in 2022 and now has a four-strong line-up of electric cars that closely matches that of its Californian rival.
IM (standing for Intelligence in Motion) was founded in 2020 as a tie-up between MG parent company SAIC, e-commerce giant Alibaba and R&D specialist Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. The brand made its debut at the Geneva motor show last year and is now confirmed to be heading to MG dealerships in the coming months - as previously reported by Autocar.
The IM 5 (badged L6 in China) is a rakish four-door saloon with a maximum official range of 442 miles from a 100kWh lithium ion battery and its 800V charging architecture enables a 10-80% top-up in just 17 minutes, says MG.
The company has not given official specifications yet, but IM's platform – separate to that used by MG's existing electric cars – is said to support charging at up to 396kW - faster than any public charger currently installed in the UK.
MG has not confirmed whether the recently revealed IM 6 Lightyear Edition, with a 900V semi-solid-state battery and a peak charging speed of 400kW, will come to the UK.
The 5 will also be available as a shorter-range variant with a 75kWh battery – expected to give a range of around 330 miles – which will open the line-up at £39,450, thereby avoiding the Expensive Car Supplement that's applied to £40k-plus cars. The bigger battery bumps the price up to £44,995 and the more powerful Performance version comes in at £48,495, giving a line-up that closely matches the Model 3 in price and performance stats.
The technically identical IM 6 will not be offered with the smaller battery but closely rivals the mid-rung Model Y with a starting price of £47,995 for the Long Range car and £50,995 for the Performance.
Full powertrain specifications have yet to be disclosed, but MG says the most powerful variants are equipped with a new generation of motor known as 'Hurricane', with the top-rung twin-motor powertrain producing 767bhp and 591lb ft. That's enough to give the saloon a 0-62mph time of as little as 3.2sec and the SUV 3.5sec.
The two cars are largely identical inside, with a huge, 26.3in wraparound infotainment display and 10.5in central touchscreen featuring in place of a physical control interface.
Both models will be offered with a panoramic roof, a 'rainy night' driving mode, automatic park assist and rear steering that, MG says, will cut the IM 5's turning circle to just under 10m.
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Unveiled at Goodwood 2025: The Hottest New Cars and Game-Changing Debuts
Goodwood central sculpture this year celebrates greatest achievements of Gordon MurrayAston Martin, Hyundai and MG are among the brands making a splash at this year's Festival of Speed
The Goodwood Festival of Speed (10-13 July) has kicked off and it's already shaping up to be one of the highlights of the motoring year.
It is hosting big reveals from Lanzante, Hyundai, MG and plenty more besides, as well as an array of debuts from Aston Martin, BMW and Honda.
Below is our guide to the most important cars at this year's Festival of Speed.
Alpine A110 R Ultime
Production of the Alpine A110 ends next year and this is its last hurrah. The Ultime's 345bhp output – 49bhp up on the existing R – pushes beyond the limit of the original car’s gearbox, so a new six-speed unit has been swapped in. Swathes of carbonfibre feature elsewhere, cutting its weight to 1120kg, and it also gets an aggressive aero set-up. It’s priced from £276k and just 110 will be built, so its participation in the Festival of Speed might just be your only chance to see one being driven to its limits.
Everything you need to know about the Alpine A110 R Ultime
Alpine A290 Rallye
The rally-ready version of Alpine’s electric hot hatch gains a limited-slip differential, bigger brakes and a hydraulic handbrake. There’s even an exterior speaker for the enjoyment of spectators.
Everything you need to know about the Alpine A290 Rallye
Alpine A390
Alpine’s Porsche Macan challenger will make its British debut at the Festival of Speed. Due to go on sale next year priced from around £60,000, it uses a tri-motor powertrain and torque vectoring to emulate the agility of the A110 sports car.
Everything you need to know about the Alpine A390
Alpine Alpenglow Hy6
This hydrogen-combustion demonstrator packs a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 that kicks out 740bhp. It can rev to 9000rpm as well.
Aston Martin DBX S
This new performance-focused version of Aston’s luxury SUV outpunches the Ferrari Purosangue, putting out a substantial 717bhp. You'll be able to see it in the First Glance paddock at Goodwood.
Everything you need to know about the Aston Martin DBX S
Aston Martin Valhalla
The Festival of Speed will be your first chance to catch Aston Martin’s new 1064bhp hypercar rolling on home turf. Production of the Valhalla is scheduled to begin imminently.
Everything you need to know about the Aston Martin Valhalla
Automobili Mignatta Rina
This Italian two-seater pays tribute to the sports cars of the 1960s with a striking speedster body, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 and a manual gearbox.
Everything you need to know about the AM Rina
Bentley Bentayga Speed
This performance-focused version of Bentley’s luxury SUV trades its old W12 for a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. With 641bhp and 627lb ft, it’s capable of dispatching 0-62mph in 3.4sec.
Read our Bentley Bentayga Speed review
BMW M2 CS
BMW’s junior sports car gets the Competition Sport treatment, gaining 50bhp more than the regular M2 and packing a generous 479lb ft. An abundance of carbonfibre also helps to reduce its kerb weight to 1700kg and it dispatches 0-62mph in just 3.8sec. Goodwood will mark the first time it’s been displayed to the public in the UK. Customer deliveries will start at the end of the summer.
Everything you need to know about the BMW M2 CS
BMW Concept Speedtop
Last year’s striking Skytop convertible has been transformed into a svelte shooting brake for a lucky handful of BMW loyalists. It has been conceived as an “intentional counterpoint to our current models”, according to BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk, and is set to make limited production. This may be your only chance to catch one in the metal before they disappear into collections.
Everything you need to know about the BMW Concept Speedtop
BMW Vision Driving Experience
Four motors, five downforce-producing fans and 13,269lb ft of torque: the Vision Driving Experience is BMW’s manifesto for driving enjoyment in the electric age. The firm's performance machines will still be rear-biased, for example, and they will use control electronics that can respond 10 times more quickly than those fitted to previous-generation M cars. This car will make its first UK appearance at the Festival of Speed.
Everything you need to know about the BMW Vision Driving Experience
Bovensiepen Zagato
The Bovensiepens, founding family of Alpina, have established a new coachbuilding firm – and this is its first car. Based on the BMW M4 and styled by Zagato, it has 603bhp and 516lb ft, yielding a 0-62mph time of 3.3sec and a top speed north of 186mph.
Everything you need to know about the Bovensiepen Zagato
Callum Wood & Pickett Mini
Former Jaguar design chief Ian Callum’s take on the Mini turns it into a hot hatch for zipping around the streets of London. Its arches are widened, deep-dish wheels are fitted, and its A-series engine is upsized to 1310cc. That gives it 110bhp, sufficient to have required the fitment of a reinforced gearbox.
Everything you need to know about the Callum Wood & Pickett Mini
Denza B5
BYD's premium offshoot is going after the Land Rover Defender with the new B5, a body-on-frame 4x4 with a 677bhp plug-in-hybrid powertrain. It will make its debut at the Festival of Speed, ahead of sales beginning next year.
Everything you need to know about the Denza B5
Denza Z9 GT
The first Denza model to arrive in Europe, the Z9 GT rivals the Porsche Panamera and its electric counterpart, the Taycan. It is available with the choice of an 858bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain or a 952bhp battery-electric set-up.
Eccentrica Diablo restomod
Described by its maker as the ultimate Diablo, this restomod intends to unleash the potential of Lamborghini’s famously tetchy flagship. Its chassis has been reinforced with carbonfibre, the brakes overhauled, traction control added and the V12 tweaked with new camshafts and springs. It has also received a redesign, with ‘pop-down’ headlights, flared wings and exposed exhaust pipes. It will take to the Goodwood hillclimb, marking the first time it will have been seen in action.
Ferrari 296 Speciale
Billed by Ferrari as the "most fun-to-drive, emotionally charged" car it has built to date, the 296 Speciale brings a swathe of upgrades compared with the existing GTB. Power is up by 49bhp, downforce is improved by 20% and it's 60kg lighter than the GTB. That's thanks in part to kit taken from the new F80 hypercar, such as its aluminium pistons and titanium conrods. The Festival of Speed marks your first chance to see one in the UK.
Everything you need to know about the Ferrari 296 Speciale
Ferrari Amalfi
The new Amalfi replaces the Roma, bringing a fresh design and the promise of more accessible performance. It will break cover in public for the first time at Goodwood.
Everything you need to know about the Ferrari Amalfi
Ferrari F80
The LaFerrari's successor is virtually a Le Mans hypercar for the road, taking components from the marque's 499P racer to put out 1184bhp. Priced from £3 million and limited to 799 examples – all sold – it will run up the Goodwood hillclimb course.
Everything you need to know about the Ferrari F80
GMA T33
Gordon Murray previously used the Goodwood Members’ Meeting to unveil the T33, but now is the general public’s chance to see it in the metal. Priced from £1.37 million and positioned as a more practical foil to the T50, it too packs a naturally aspirated V12, here kicking out 607bhp and revving out to 11,100rpm. Just 100 will be built, although there will be spin-off models, such as a Spider and a more aggressive, track-focused S variant.
Everything you need to know about the GMA T33
GMA T33 Spider
Weighing just 18kg more than its coupé counterpart, the T33 Spider promises a more visceral experience, thanks to its Targa-style roof and air intake scoop positioned just proud of the roll bar. It will be on display to the general public for the first time at this year’s Festival of Speed.
Everything you need to know about the GMA T33 Spider
Honda 0 Series SUV
This blocky MPV-like SUV serves as our first look at Honda’s rebirth for the electric age. Named the 0 Series to represent the brand starting afresh, it ushers in a dramatic new look and promises major developments in both efficiency and practicality. The Festival of Speed will mark its first appearance in Europe.
Everything you need to know about the Honda 0 Series SUV
Honda Civic Type R Ultimate
One of our favourite hot hatches is about to bow out, but not before receiving a special-edition variant commemorating its 28-year production run. It’s painted in the Type R’s signature Championship White shade, with contrasting red racing stripes recalling its trademark interior colour. Only 40 will be built, of which a quarter are bound for the UK. Goodwood may just be your best chance to see one before they’re all gone.
Everything you need to know about the Honda Civic Type R Ultimate
Honda Prelude
Honda’s sporting coupé returns with Civic underpinnings, a 181bhp hybrid powertrain and even a simulated sequential gearbox. The production car isn’t due until later this year, but Goodwood will be the first chance to spot it on the move, as it takes to the hillclimb.
Everything you need to know about the Honda Prelude
Honda Super EV Concept
Honda has shown off its vision of a small, fun-to-drive EV at the Festival of Speed. Named the Super EV Concept, it previews a rival for the Hyundai Inster and Fiat 500e, and has already been tested in the UK.
Everything you need to know about the Honda Super EV Concept
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
Hyundai revealed the hot Ioniq 6 N at this year’s Festival of Speed, having hinted at the model since it unveiled the RN22e concept car three years ago. The BMW M3 rival will packs 641bhp and brings major styling tweaks such as a huge rear spoiler, wider arches and a more aggressive-looking front fascia. It is said to be "more sophisticated" than the smaller Ioniq 5 N.
Everything you need to know about the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
Jaecoo 5
This Range Rover Evoque rival will be the second car in Jaecoo's UK line-up, bringing a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine at launch with an electric sibling to follow. The 5 made its debut at Goodwood.
Everything you need to know about the Jaecoo 5
Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition
This special-edition Defender harks back to Land Rover’s Camel Trophy 4x4s, with chunky steelie-style wheels, a choice of Sandy Yellow or Forest Green paintwork and even the option of an intake snorkel. It will be seen in public for the first time at Goodwood.
Everything you need to know about the Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition
Lanzante 95-59
Petersfield-based hypercar specialist Lanzante reveals its first bespoke model at the Festival of Speed. Based on an existing McLaren platform and penned by former McLaren designer Paul Howse, it packs 700bhp per tonne and has a McLaren F1-style three-seat cockpit.
Lanzante 95-59 is 850bhp three-seat homage to McLaren F1
Maserati MCPura
The Maserati MC20 has been renamed the MCPura as part of its mid-life update. The styling is subtly tweaked, with a reshaped grille and front diffuser, plus a new twin-spoke wheel design.
Everything you need to know about the Maserati MCPura
McLaren W1
McLaren's striking new flagship picks up the mantle from the P1 and F1 with an electrified 4.0-litre V8 that sends 1258bhp to its rear wheels. Just 399 examples will be built.
Everything you need to know about the McLaren W1
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Europe’s longest-range and most efficient electric car is due to arrive in the UK imminently, with prices starting from £45,615. But Goodwood will be your first chance to see one on the move in Britain, because the EV will be taking to the hill as part of the First Glance group.
Everything you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz CLA
MG Cyberster Black
This special-edition roadster matches deep-black paintwork with chrome accents.
MG CyberX
A boxy 4x4, this radical concept car hints at MG’s plans to expand into new segments and punch upmarket. The Festival of Speed host its European debut and could bring more news about any plans to build the model.
Everything we know about the MG CyberX
MG IM5
MG has launched a new sub-brand in the UK that will rival Tesla with a high-tech saloon and crossover. The new IM 5 saloon gets an official range of 442 miles from a 100kWh battery pack and its 800V electricals allow a 10-80% recharge in 17min, according to MG.
Everything you need to know about the new MG IM5 and IM6
Praga Bohema
This track-focused but road-legal supercar will take to the Goodwood hillclimb in a bid to topple some of the world’s biggest marques. Packing 700bhp and weighing just 982kg, it’s in with a fair chance.
Everything we know about the Praga Bohema
Renault 5 Turbo 3E
Renault's tribute to the original 5 Turbo is every bit as ludicrous, employing a pair of rear-mounted in-wheel motors for a combined output of 533bhp. It is priced from £140,000 and 1980 examples will be built, in reference to the original 5 Turbo's launch year. A static design model will be displayed at the Festival of Speed.
Everything you need to know about the Renault 5 Turbo 3E
Lexus 'LFR'
A new V8 Lexus supercar was officially show for the first time in prototype form – and it previews a rival the likes of the Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT.
The GT Concept is the homologated variant of the incoming GT3 GR hardcore racer – itself revealed in concept form in 2022 – and both took to the hillclimb.
The road-going GT3 GR is likely to wear a Lexus badge, rather than a Toyota one, in keeping with the premium brand’s history of large-engined sports cars, including the LFA, LC 500 and RC F.
As such, it is thought to preview what could be the spiritual successor to the acclaimed LFA – and may take the LFR name.
V8 Lexus Supercar Prototypes Stun with Power and Style at Goodwood
Ferrari F80 Unleashed: The Fastest Road-Legal Hypercar Yet
Ferrari's once-a-decade hypercar enters the arena as a V6 hybrid The Ferrari F80 is the Prancing Horse that’s too fast for Fiorano. It’s the latest limited-run, extreme-performance Ferrari of the kind that appears once a decade, a lineage featuring the GTO (aka 288), F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari, and it is the first that hasn’t been demonstrated at Ferrari’s home test track.Instead, it was presented at Misano, a wider and longer circuit than Fiorano and more suitable for a car with the F80’s astonishing performance.Misano is popular with motorcycle racers and looked as expansive as Silverstone on the video I watched of an Audi R8 GT3 lapping it. The F80’s speed made it feel about half the size in reality. Stay tuned for a review of Ferrari's fastest-lapping car it has ever fitted with with numberplates.