The Mazda 6 is a quietly impressive family car. Its styling is purposefully un-aggressive and sleek, while inside there aren’t any enormous touchscreens to be found. Instead you’ll find quality-feeling materials and ergonomic designs. The 6 also offers sharp handling and slick gearboxes to help it compete for keen drivers’ attention too.

The Mazda 6’s main rivals come in the form of other saloons. The Volkswagen Passat, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class are its main ones. While Mazda also offers a 6 estate if you want more room in the rear.

Toeing the line between being a drivers’ car and a comfy cruiser, Mazda wants motorists to see the 6 as the savvy alternative to the mainstream models on one hand, and pricier German alternatives on the other.

Engine choice is pretty simple. There’s a 145hp 2.0-litre petrol, a 165hp 2.0-litre petrol and a 194hp 2.5-litre petrol to pick from.

Unusually, the three petrol engines (no diesels or hybrids here) all do without power-boosting turbochargers as Mazda believes that larger naturally aspirated engines offer a greater blend of power and real-world economy than the small, turbocharged units in rival models.

Trim levels are equally as easy. There are only three to choose from and like with every other manufacturer, the more expensive ones come with more kit.

Over the next few pages we’ll be scoring the Mazda 6 in 10 key areas to give it an overall score out of five. They’ll take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you. Then in the verdict we’ll tell you whether we recommend one or not.