MAZDA6 (GJ) and MAZDA2 (DJ)

The Mazda Atenza and the Mazda Demio are now discontinued and replaced by the new MAZDA6 and the new MAZDA2, marking them the first time adopting international names since the latest-generation MAZDA3. While they look the same as the Atenza and the Demio models they've replaced, these two new models will find some slight changes around here.

2020 Mazda 6

2020 Mazda 6

Starting with the MAZDA6 and with prices starting below the three million yen mark, it comes with two different body styles; a 4-door sedan and a 5-door station wagon. At first glance, the MAZDA6 looks a lot like last year's Atenza minor change and even after being renamed, the design is distinctively Mazda and because last year's Atenza minor change is the best-looking Atenza ever, perhaps the rename never harmed the looks at all.

2020 Mazda 6 interior

The same story goes for the interior and like last year's Atenza minor change, the MAZDA6 features a wooden trim on the dashboard, the Active Driving Display on the windscreen, and others. Although being driver-focused, it still feels like a luxury car, which is not bad for a reasonably-priced midsize saloon of this caliber, and in the case of the wagon, it's surprisingly spacious at the back.

2020 Mazda 6

While the MAZDA6 retains the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and 2.5L petrol engines and the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine from last year's Atenza minor change, the biggest addition to the MAZDA6 is the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo System. First applied on the CX-5 and the CX-8 crossovers, this turbocharged engine produces 230PS of power, 420Nm of torque, and 12.4km/L of fuel economy in the WLTP scale. Like before, petrol engines are mated exclusively with a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6AT while the diesel engine is mated with either this or the 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT.

With G-Vectoring Control and i-ACTIV AWD at hand, in addition to Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety systems, not only does the MAZDA6 feel good to drive full stop but it's reliable and safer to drive on the journey home from another day at the office. 

2020 Mazda 2

Next up, the MAZDA2, and it's now slightly better looking than the Demio it was replaced with a new front face, new wheel designs, and a revised rear design. With prices starting at the 1.6 million yen mark, it's still a smart buy for a hatchback that feels like a world-class hatchback rather than being Japanesey.

2020 Mazda 2 interior

Apart from the revised exterior, the interior's slightly revised to make it more usable for the customers and while it still works pretty much like the Demio it replaces, it's still decently comfortable and spacious for a hatchback of that size.

2020 Mazda 2

The MAZDA2 is offered with a choice of a SKYACTIV-G 1.5L petrol engine and a 1.5L SKYACTIV-D diesel turbo engine, both are revised to meet WLTP standards and can be mated with a choice of a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6AT or a SKYACTIV-MT 6MT respectively. The petrol one promises up to 19.8km/L of combined fuel economy on the WLTP scale, while the diesel one promises up to 25.2km/L of combined fuel economy on the WLTP scale. 

Apart from the engine choices, the MAZDA2 comes with a G-Vectoring Control as well as the available i-ACTIV AWD, giving owners plenty of reasons why the MAZDA2 is one of the best compact hatchbacks to own today because of its driving character that is unmistakably Mazda, and lastly, the i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety features that will give them a peace of mind while driving.

Even with a name change, both the MAZDA6 and the MAZDA2 still have a lot of work to do that their predecessors left for them, which is promising customers the Mazda way.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation