Both Mazda models which feature the company’s innovative fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology were voted best-in-class at the annual Auto Express New Car Awards held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London yesterday (Tuesday 2 July).
The all-new Mazda6 saloon beat off strong competition to win the ‘Best Family Car’ award – the seventh award it has received since going on sale in January. The Mazda CX-5 compact SUV claimed the ‘Best Crossover’ crown for the second year at this event.
Announcing Mazda6 as a winner, Auto Express editor-in-chief, Steve Fowler, commented: “The new Mazda6 brought a number of firsts to the family car class – it uses clever technology to reduce running costs, cut emissions and boost mpg, while it’s also a fantastic car to drive. On top of that, it’s the sort of car you can’t get enough of looking at… it’s simply gorgeous.”
Praising Mazda’s SUV for retaining its crossover crown, Fowler added: “It’s a second win for the brilliant CX-5 at the Auto Express Awards. This is a car that rewrote the rulebooks for crossovers last year with a blend of great looks, useful practicality, loads of technology and low running costs – it’s going to be a tough winner for any other car to beat.”
Assessing the all-new Mazda6 and CX-5 and their class rivals, the magazine’s judging panel scrutinized each car’s driving attributes, interior quality, running costs and purchase price. The panel of Auto Express writers looked for cars that set new standards in their class. The winners are the cars the magazine recommends its readers spend their hard-earned cash on.
All-new Mazda6 is the first car to feature the full KODO-Soul of Motion design language and the first from the Japanese brand to be equipped with its i-ELOOP regenerative braking system which can deliver up to 10 percent fuel saving, depending on driving conditions.
“Mazda is proud that its truly innovative fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology and KODO- Soul of Motion design theme featured in both the Mazda6 and CX-5 models, have been acknowledged by a high profile publication, such as Auto Express. It is fantastic to receive recognition for offering uncompromised environmentally friendly vehicles to our customers, without the price premium charged by other eco brands,” comments Peter Allibon, Sales Director, Mazda UK.
“Mazda’s ability to defy convention and deliver uniquely appealing cars has been given another glowing endorsement by the UK’s best-selling weekly automotive magazine. Both the all-new Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 offer customers a remarkably compelling ownership proposition. They are both great fun-to-drive, yet also provide best in-class environmental and efficiency credentials,” adds Allibon.
There are 36 Saloon and Tourer models of the all-new Mazda6 available, with prices ranging from £19,595 to £28,295 on-the-road (OTR). Mazda6 offers a choice of petrol or diesel power (145 to 175ps), and boasts outstanding CO2 emissions from just 108g/km and fuel economy up to 67.3mpg.
“Responding to customer demand we are adding two new models to our Mazda CX-5 line-up, the 2.2D 150ps manual SE-L Lux and SE-L Lux Nav. These models feature the addition of a powered tilt and slide glass sunroof, full leather trim, six-way powered driver’s seat and heated front seats,” concludes Allibon.
The new 20-strong line-up of Mazda CX-5 models is priced from £21,595 to £29,395 (OTR). Customers can choose petrol or diesel engines, manual or automatic transmissions and 2-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) – depending on model. CO2 emissions start at 119g/km and fuel economy can be up to 61.4mpg.
