Fancy a sports saloon? A car which can keep pace with a Porsche, yet take the family shopping? You're probably conjuring up images of a Subaru Impreza.

But there is an alternative, another mouth-watering sports saloon which is affordable and less vulgar: the Mazda 6.

That's right. Mazda have launched a super-quick version called the MPS.

It's quick (0 to 60mph in 6.6 seconds, which isn't quite as rapid as an Impreza, but it's close) and it's affordable (£23,520, which sits it right in the middle of the Impreza range).

But the biggest difference is that the Mazda is a car for grown-ups. Nothing wrong with the Impreza, but not everyone wants to drive a boy-racer car. Many like the in-your-face style and gold alloy wheels, but many 40 and 50-somethings just can't bring themselves to drive one.

The Mazda 6 MPS, on the other hand, is smart, refined and sensible. It does have some body kit and a couple of sizeable exhausts but you won't look like someone pretending to be trendy.

On the whole, it seems to be a very good sports version of a very good mid-sized hatchback. The Mazda6 is renowned for being a sensible, stylish car which hangs on to its value well and which is spacious, well-equipped and solid. Some say the ride is too hard even on the more sensible models, so goodness knows what they would make of this sports model.

Actually, I found the ride and handling to be a very good balance between comfort and sportiness.

The Mazda 6 was first launched in 2002 and, without being too dramatic, it was widely regarded as a car to save Mazda. The company had traded largely on the success of the MX-5, and it had plenty of good cars but little to excite.

The new 6 was an instant success, winning plaudits for its style and comfort, and paving the way for some more important and successful models like 2, 3 and the RX-8.

In terms of size and performance, the 6 makes a charge at the Mondeos and Vectras that currently hold sway. The lines are clean and uncontrived, but stay on the right side of anonymity, showing that Mazda really has learned from its past mistakes like the forgettable 626.

A bright and roomy interior is well arranged. The dash in sensible and solid, pleasing to use and good to look at. The 6 offers spacious accommodation, especially in the rear seats.

The chassis and suspension are nothing short of superb. The Mondeo is widely regarded as the class leader but the 6 matches it. The wide road stance helps, but even through tight, high-speed corners and quickly-changing gradients, there's virtually no roll or floatiness.

The other outstanding on-road characteristic is the lack of noise. Mazda claim they have drastically reduced road noise by putting a couple of saucer-sized dimples in the floorpan, which sounds strange but it's true.

As a total package, the Mazda 6 should make a strong case to buyers. It doesn't look like a pale copycat car. It has its own distinct identity and comes across as classy, not cost-cutting. Choosing a Mazda saloon, estate or hatch is no longer an act of compromise.

PRICE: £23,995. Part of a range that starts at £15,150.

ENGINE: A 2.3 litre unit which generates 254bhp.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 150mph, 0 to 60mph in 6.6 secs.

COSTS: Average 27.7mpg.

EMISSIONS: 243g/km.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.

INSURANCE: Group 16.

All T&A road test vehicles are independently selected and assessments are carried out impartially by members of our own staff who base their opinions only on the vehicle supplied for these purposes by the manufacturer.