Tow Test: 2013 Mazda6 Touring sedan

In decades past it was large sedans and station wagons, but more recently medium to large SUVs and four-wheel drives have been the go-to choice for Aussie drivers up for some heavy towing.

But while great for hauling big caravans or boats, there are a few downsides to using a LandCruiser or Pajero for daily transport, not least their lane-hogging bulk, clumsy road manners and healthy thirst.

Fortunately, there are an increasing number of more driver-friendly and frugal vehicles suitable for towing, particularly if your caravan is less than two tonnes fully loaded.

This has been partly driven by advancements in small turbo-diesel engines, which have become more refined and efficient, while delivering sufficient low-down torque, or pulling power as well as decent fuel economy.

One of the vehicles to benefit from the latest crop of super-efficient oilers is the Mazda6 sedan, which at first seems an unlikely tow vehicle. But as we discovered after using one to tow around one tonne, looks can be deceiving.

The Mazda6 has always been prized for its style, comfort and on-road abilities, but it was the arrival of a torquey diesel engine in 2008 that put it on the radar of those looking for a rorty runabout come light-duty tow tug.

In the latest, curvaceous iteration introduced late-2012, the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 129kW at 4500rpm and 420Nm at 2000rpm – more torque than the rugged Mitsubishi Challenger off-roader, while delivering a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km.

The latest '6' is also available with a free-revving 2.5-litre petrol engine, but with 170Nm more torque the 2.2-litre oiler matched to the six-speed automatic transmission is the better option for towing.  The diesel Mazda6 can also tow up to 1600kg, or 100kg more than the petrol version.

However, hobbling the Mazda6 somewhat as a tow tug is its relatively light ball weight of 120kg, which was right on the limit of the Jayco camper trailer we hitched up for this test, which had a Tare weight of 961kg.

Despite sitting down a bit at the rear, the Mazda6 had little trouble with the camper behind, accelerating strongly from the lights all the way to freeway speeds. The ample reserves of torque, combined with a quick-shifting transmission, meant it never struggled up hills or when overtaking.

Rarely revving beyond 3000rpm, the diesel engine had some distinctive diesel ‘clatter’ but remained mostly quiet and refined throughout, settling at a relaxed 1750rpm at 100km/h.

For the most part there was no need to change gears manually, although the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel came in handy when searching for a suitable gear to enable sufficient engine braking down longer declines.

The relaxed performance also translated to excellent fuel economy. Unhitched, the Mazda6 averaged 7.0L/100km on the trip computer, rising to just 9.0L/100km when towing.

The camper also tracked nicely behind the sedan, and apart from some subtle pitching movement did little to interrupt the Mazda’s on-road poise. The standard wing mirrors were OK for our low-slung trailer, but anything bigger would require towing mirrors.

The Mazda6 is not the cheapest mid-sized sedan on the market, but it has an upmarket feel worthy of the extra dollars. Our Touring-spec test car had a stylish, welcoming interior, complemented by soft touch plastics, fake chrome and glossy timber highlights and two-tone stitched leather.

Priced at $40,350, the Mazda6 ‘Touring’ sedan comes with good level of standard kit including 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, leather seat trim, electric driver and front passenger seat adjustment, Bluetooth-compatible Bose premium audio with 11 speakers, sat nav, reversing camera and front/rear parking sensors. 

Of these, the reverse camera with tracking ‘grid’ came in most handy when hitching up the camper, turning it into a quick, one-person job.

While not as spacious as a Ford Falcon, the Mazda6 sedan comfortably accommodates four adults (or five at a pinch), with contoured and nicely padded seats at the front as well as the two outboard rear positions. Our main gripe was the low roofline at the rear, which made headroom a bit tight for my 192cm frame.

While the boot is a decent size, the narrow aperture limits the loading of larger objects. If you plan on camping trips or excursions to Ikea, it’s worth paying $1300 more for the more practical station wagon.

The other downside – and a prime reason for the popularity of jacked-up SUVs -- is the ground-hugging body of the sporty sedan. With just 122mm ground clearance, the front lip got perilously close to scraping on steeper driveways and speed bumps.

While not part of the standard kit, it’s worth mentioning the tidy, factory-look appearance of the towing accessories on our test vehicle. The trailer wiring harness lead in the Mazda6 was neatly stored out of the way inside the spare wheel well in the boot when not in use.

Mazda also fitted an excellent, Australian-designed Redarc electric brake controller. With just a small red knob and globe visible in the dash, it's a much neater and more user-friendly solution than traditional, under-dash box controllers. Even the factory-fitted tongue and tow ball are removable in such a way as to maintain a clean rear bumper look when not towing.

As a daily runabout, the Mazda6 diesel is a joy to drive. As a tow vehicle, it’s also surprisingly effective, provided you keep within its modest limits and stick mostly to the tarmac.

* Thanks to Page Bros Jayco in Seaford, Melbourne for use of the camper trailer in this tow test.

MAZDA6 TOURING SEDAN

Engine: 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power/torque: 129kW at 4500rpm/ 420Nm at 2000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Length: 4865mm
Width: 1840mm
Height: 1450mm
Wheelbase: 2830mm
Ground clearance: 122mm
Kerb mass: 1471kg
Fuel: 62 litres
Towing cap. unbraked/braked: 750kg/1600kg
Tow ball mass maximum: 120kg
Fuel economy (claimed): 5.4L/100km
Price: from $40,350 (MRRP)