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Pros: Positive driving experience, efficiency
Cons: Lacks the range of some rivals, only comes as an EV
Mazda is no stranger to producing saloon-like family cars, but in more recent times it has been focusing on crossovers and SUVs. Now the Mazda6e is here to reverse that trend, offering a fresh take on the segment by switching to a hatchback design and offering purely electric powertrains.
Mazda6e Design
Saloon cars, as we know them, have been declining in popularity and hence availability as the brands shift towards more profitable SUVs, but Mazda isn’t going anywhere as its new 6e confirms. The fully electric model is just under five metres long and cuts a fresh look from previous Mazda6 models, with a greater emphasis on aerodynamics and contemporary design.
It has plenty of presence, thanks to its wide and low-slung shape. The electric platform is designed to house two types of battery, which results in a long wheelbase, creating lots of space inside for occupants.
Being fully electric removes much of the need for a traditional grille at the front, though the look is retained. Its outline reflects Mazda’s winged emblem, and the surrounding elements are illuminated, providing an animated display when the car is unlocked and dynamic movement when it’s charging. Smaller air inlets below the front number plate open and close to enable cooling as required.
Slender headlights and vertical ‘air curtains’ on the corners of the front bumpers highlight how much of this car’s design is shaped by aerodynamics and how it cuts through the air. There are 19-inch wheels as standard with an alloy wheel design that also reduces drag, while the door handles sit flush against the bodywork. The car’s flanks carry an unfussy design, with less contouring than we typically see on Mazda’s cars.
Its sloped roof flows down into what is a relatively short tail by traditional saloon standards. This time around, Mazda has opted for a hatchback design that is more practical, and this lifts to reveal a 466-litre boot. It’s possible to increase the boot capacity to 1,074 litres by folding down the rear seats. There is also a 72-litre storage area in the front.
Mazda6e Interior
Inside the 6e, Mazda designers have chosen to play up the digitalisation and reduce the number of physical buttons and switchgear throughout. The multifunction steering wheel contains flat panels with a small button at each centre for controlling driver assistance functions and media settings. Ahead of that is a 10.2-inch instrument display that can be configured several ways. The layout of information is good and not overwhelming, making it easy for the driver to understand what they’re looking at with just a glance. Mazda also offers a head-up colour display that projects onto the windscreen.
The infotainment system operates from a 14.6-inch touchscreen that does look a little too large for the cabin’s proportions, almost as if it were added as an afterthought. Mazda’s new operating system is reasonably easy to navigate through, and it plans to roll out further updates by the time the car arrives in Ireland in 2026. We feel it’s a step back to bundle all of the cabin controls onto the tablet screen, which extends to the climate settings. The lack of physical buttons on the centre console creates a stark image and one that makes it almost generic. The upside is that there’s a large area for oddments along with a wireless charging pad. Two cupholders in the centre sit ahead of an armrest that lifts to reveal more storage.
The material quality throughout the interior is quite good on the Takumi Plus model we tested and demonstrates how Mazda has become more premium in recent years. In the rear seats, there are good levels of space, especially in the outer two positions. The car’s lengthy wheelbase provides plenty of legroom, and even with a glass roof and electric sun blind, headroom is perfectly fine.
Mazda6e Performance & Drive
Buyers will have the choice of two electric powertrains when the Mazda6e goes on sale, but there is not much performance difference between the two, other than driving range and battery specifications. Both versions of the 6e are rear-wheel drive with the 68.8kWh version’s motor tested here producing outputs of up to 258hp and 320Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a steady 7.6 seconds. In this case, the battery is an LFP composition and has enough energy to provide a WLTP range of 479 kilometres.
Mazda will also offer an 80kWh battery manages up to 552 kilometres of driving and gets a 245hp motor with the same torque figure as in the other car. Acceleration is almost identical, taking 7.8 seconds to do the same 0-100km/h sprint. Where there is more of a difference is in battery charging. The 68.8kWh battery has a peak DC charge rate of 165kW, meaning a 10-80 per cent charge can be completed in 24 minutes, while the 80kWh battery only gets a 90kW peak DC charge rate, resulting in a 47-minute 10 to 80 per cent recharge time. Both cars get 11kW AC charging.
Battery specs aside, the Mazda6e drives with a good combination of real-world performance and comfort. Rather than try to compete with the ever-increasing rates of acceleration and horsepower, the Mazda6e feels composed and measured. It still feels brisk when moving away from traffic lights without being over the top.
The suspension at lower speed does feel unnecessarily busy, but above 50km/h it seems to settle down into a fairly composed ride. There is a little body lean through bends - just enough to retain that sense of connection with the car, and the same goes for the steering. Different drive modes can be selected to alter acceleration and steering feel in addition to brake regeneration. At higher speeds, the 6e remains comfortable and hushed.
Mazda6e Pricing
With an arrival not slated until early 2026, it’s too soon for any details on pricing to be revealed by Mazda, but the 6e is expected to be in line with rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.7 and BYD Seal. Both powertrains will be offered across the usual spread of specification grades that apply to other Mazda models.
Carzone Verdict
The Mazda6e is the car that many fans of the Japanese brand have been waiting for, and it’s equally bound to win over some new fans too. Mazda’s pragmatic approach to the 6e, combined with decent real-world efficiency and plenty of equipment, should give it the potential to be a success for the brand and is thankfully much more mainstream than its previous attempts at EVs.