The screen can be used as a touchscreen when the vehicle is in Park, but can only be operated by the HMI control dial when the vehicle is moving. Moving around the screen is easy simply by turning, tilting and pressing the HMI controller to select choices. As well, major functions such as the home screen, audio, navigation and favourites are quickly accessible by pressing one of the large buttons surrounding the controller. A separate audio volume dial next to the controller is also well-positioned for easy reach and operation while driving without having to take your eyes off the road to look at it.

One criticism of the screen: unlike last year’s screen which was inserted into the dash, the new screen has no hood to shield it from glare. I also think the flip-up plastic screen for the head-up display looks a bit cheap.

In addition to the HMI controller and touchscreen, the driver can control some functions – phone, audio volume, station seek and voice activation – using the steering wheel buttons; and certain telephone, audio and navigation functions can be activated using specific voice commands.

Some of the dash controls have been rearranged for 2016: the ignition pushbutton (standard on all trims) has been moved up next to the touchscreen, and the CD player has been relocated from the top of the dash to the lower centre console below the climate control system. The front seat heaters still have three temperature choices, but the buttons have been moved from below the climate control system to above it. The climate control system now has two dials for temperature and the centre fan speed dial has been replaced by pushbuttons. Not a good move, in my opinion: the dial was easier to use.

The floor shifter remains in the centre console, but an electronic parking brake button replaces the manual brake lever, which is probably more appropriate for a family car. The Sport mode button, now a chromed toggle switch, has been moved from the dash to the centre console. Two cupholders with spring-loaded cup grippers are still located behind the shift lever, but they’re now covered by a panel that slides rearward instead of a solid panel that flips up to the side – this makes it easier for the front passenger to reach the cups.

Behind that is a raised, padded armrest under which resides a smallish storage bin with a 12-volt outlet, two new USB slots and an SD card slot for storing and playing music. There is also a small, covered storage bin at the bottom of the centre stack that includes a 12-volt outlet.

The Mazda6’s cabin is roomy and well finished. Front and rear outboard passengers have spacious legroom and headroom but the centre rear position requires straddling the driveline hump (the Mazda6 is designed for all-wheel drive in some markets). GX and GS trims come with black cloth upholstery with heated front and rear seats while GT trims have standard leather heated seats, available in black with new dark auburn door inserts, or combination white and black leather with white door inserts.

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