TAKE a good thing and make it better.

That seems to be what the Mazda lads had in mind when they turned out the 626 Classic.

The car got a new snoot, giving it a stronger and classier appearance, but the upgrade went way beyond cosmetics.

Extensive improvements were made to the suspension, transmission and insulation, resulting in considerably improved handling and a quieter, more refined ride.

Not that the earlier 626s had any problems: The mid-sized Mazda has always been a decent car ever since ol’ number one arrived all of 22 years ago.

In fact, it’s the longest-running medium car on the road, and has twice taken the Oz Car of the Year award along with a swag of other accolades around the world.

In its latest form, the polished 2.0 litre is expected to widen its appeal and claim some 20 per cent more sales. At least, that’s what its marketing people say.

It’s up against some pretty formidable rivals, including Liberty, Vectra and the new Mondeo, but it has a strong loyalty factor and the goods to broaden its sales base.

More than a mere facelift
The Classic has a couple of stylish foglights built into its resculpted Roman nose and bigger, lower headlights add to the more dynamic appearance.

More than look good, they actually produce a super spread of light too, with more than enough reach for the pokey motor’s performance.

Inside, the two-tone velour trim is offset by chromed door handles, leather on the four-spoked steering wheel and transmission lever and touches of woodgrain.

The dashboard graphics have been improved, as has the audio system, which now has four 25W speakers and a CD player. Standard fare also includes climate control, power steering and cruise control, alloy wheels and dual airbags.

The keyless entry system has double deadlocks on all doors and there’s the luxury of the inside lights coming on when the car is entered at night. They fade when all doors are closed and seatbelts are secured.

Family accommodation and storage
As before, there’s ample space for most families and their luggage.

And from the family viewpoint of a car being driven by more than one person, my wife and I both enjoyed the supportive seating, interior ambience and behind-the-wheel position.

However, while we both thought visibility was generally good, it was my wife who was first to observe that reverse parking was a bit of a bother because of the unsighted tail-end.

There’s a lot of onboard storage and the back seat has a split/fold function that allows access to the flat-floored boot from inside.

The Classic drives quietly and efficiently, the twin-cam motor making the most of fuel while providing good, rather than blistering, performance. Fuel consumption is rated at 10.5 L/100km.

The auto transmission is new, but retains Mazda’s characteristic trait of hunting for the right ratio.

The suspension tweaking has made the car noticeably more rigid, leading to better stability and adhesion. And stopping power is impressive, with anti-lock braking and electronic brake force distribution on the four discs.