Mazda has updated the Mazda Atenza (the name for the Mazda 6 in JDM markets) in the Japanese market and it won’t be long until we see the Mazda 6 here in Malaysia updated as well. The good news is that the new ridiculous smiley face that Mazda has been putting on all cars from compacts up to big MPVs seems to be missing from the Mazda 6. Perhaps being a D-segment car with an older buyer profile they thought it would be better to play safe with this one.

The front bumper is new with foglamp inserts that curve upwards towards the headlamps, and the front grille is also different although the grille’s outline shape is pretty much similar to the pre-facelift. 25EX and 25Z equipment levels get new bi-xenon headlamps, while the 25S, 20S and 25C models carry over the pre-facelift headlamps but modified with additional chrome plating.



The tail lamps are also different with what Mazda calls a ‘chrome plated wing motif’ at the part of the lamps that curve towards the side of the body. In Japan, the wagon and hatchback models use clear tail lamp covers with LED lighting while the sedan model uses red tail lamp covers and normal bulbs for lighting. Finally, both 17 and 18 inch wheel options have new designs. Piano black trim has been added to various parts of the interior including the center panel, shift gate and steering wheel spokes.

The 2.0 liter engine in the current Mazda Atenza/Mazda 6 has been updated to a new model featuring DISI direct injection. It makes 153 PS at 6,200rpm and 189Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, which is up from the previous figures by a few Nm.