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It’s no secret that Mazda has been dragging its heels somewhat in the case of electrical autos.
The MX-30 small electrical SUV was a unusual styling train with a battery vary that hardly obtained you to the outlets and again, however the model is lastly getting severe – that is the brand new 2026 Mazda 6e.
You might need seen it unveiled on the Beijing motor present because the Mazda EZ-6, a product of Mazda’s three way partnership with Chinese big Changan.
While it’s inbuilt China on a shared platform, this isn’t simply a badge-engineering job – it’s the non secular successor to the beloved Mazda 6, and it’s coming to Australia in mid-2026.
We have had a short first drive of a pre-production mannequin at a proving floor to see if it might really tackle the gross sales juggernaut that’s the Tesla Model 3.
WATCH: Paul’s video first drive assessment of the Mazda 6e
Crucially, Mazda Australia is focusing on a beginning value of underneath $55,000 earlier than on-road prices. That is a vital quantity as a result of it places the 6e squarely within the crosshairs of the Model 3 RWD and the BYD Seal Premium.
But right here is the massive query: beneath that beautiful sheet steel, does it nonetheless have the ‘Zoom-Zoom’ DNA we count on from a Mazda, or does it really feel like simply one other gentle, generic EV?
How a lot does the Mazda 6e price?
Mazda hasn’t locked within the last greenback determine, however the steering is aggressive. A sub-$55,000 beginning value for a automobile of this dimension and spec is spectacular.
That pricing technique is clearly geared toward undercutting or matching the phase leaders. For context, the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) at present begins across the $54,900 mark, and the BYD Seal Dynamic is even cheaper.
If Mazda can land a high-specification car at this value level, it instantly turns into a worth participant in a phase the place legacy producers have struggled to compete on value.
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What is the Mazda 6e like on the within?
If you’ve sat in a CX-60 or CX-90 not too long ago, Mazda is pushing arduous on inside high quality. The 6e feels completely different, although – it’s rather more minimalist, clearly taking inspiration from the Chinese market’s choice for screen-heavy cabins.
The centrepiece is a large 14.6-inch infotainment display screen that controls nearly every thing. Sadly, Mazda’s tactile rotary dial is gone, and so are many of the bodily buttons.
For conventional Mazda followers, this will likely be a shock. You have to make use of the display screen for local weather management, facet mirror changes, and even altering the drive modes. It feels similar to a Tesla in its operation – clear, however doubtlessly distracting on the transfer.
That mentioned, the fabric high quality is correctly plush. The floating centre console creates a way of area, and the match and end on this pre-production automobile was already top-notch.
It makes use of a mixture of soft-touch supplies and what seems to be like a Bentley-inspired two-tone leather-based steering wheel within the automobile we drove.
The again seat is the place the brand new platform shines. There is acres of legroom – way over within the previous petrol Mazda 6 – due to the lengthy wheelbase. The flooring is flat, and even with the panoramic glass roof, headroom is first rate for a six-footer.
Unusually for a automobile that appears like a sedan, it’s really a liftback. The rear glass opens with the boot lid, revealing a large aperture that makes loading cumbersome gadgets considerably simpler than with a Model 3.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
For Australia, we’re getting a better of each worlds powertrain. In different markets, you typically have to decide on between a much bigger battery or extra energy – we get each.
The 6e will include a 78kWh Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) battery paired with a single electrical motor sending 190kW to the rear wheels.
That LFP chemistry is a brilliant alternative for Australian consumers. Unlike different battery chemistries, it likes being charged to 100 per cent commonly with out degradation considerations.
Preliminary specs embody:
- Power: 190kW
- Torque: TBC
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
- Battery: 78kWh LFP
- Range: >500km (claimed WLTP)
- Charging: 30-80% in 15 minutes (DC)
How does the Mazda 6e drive?
This is the place issues get sophisticated. The automobile we drove was a pre-production car with a European suspension tune, and immediately it felt very gentle.
Driving across the proving floor, the journey was extremely compliant over small corrugations, absorbing dangerous surfaces higher than many firm-riding EVs. It’s quiet, refined, and comfy at metropolis speeds.
However, when you decide up the tempo, that softness turns into a difficulty. It feels floaty over crests and dips. Mid-corner bumps are likely to unsettle the rear-end, making the automobile wallow a bit.
It lacks that tied-down, sporty engagement – the Jinba Ittai (horse and rider as one) connection – that often defines a Mazda.
It jogs my memory loads of different Chinese-market EVs that prioritise consolation over physique management. If you need a relaxed cruiser, it’s beautiful. But when you’re anticipating a sports activities sedan, this isn’t it – but.
The energy supply is easy slightly than violent. We examined the 0-100km/h dash time and clocked it at 7.35 seconds.
That’s lots fast sufficient for each day driving and overtaking, even when it gained’t pin your head to the pinnacle restraint like a dual-motor efficiency EV.
The excellent news is that Mazda Australia is conscious of this. It sometimes conducts intensive native journey and dealing with applications and, frankly, this automobile wants it.
If Mazda can tighten up the physique management with out ruining that plush journey, they are going to have a winner.
What do you get?
Full specs haven’t been launched, however primarily based on the prototype we drove we will count on a excessive stage of normal tools given the worth level.
Likely customary options will embody:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres
- 14.6-inch central touchscreen
- Digital instrument cluster
- Head-up show
- Panoramic glass roof
- Powered tailgate (liftback)
- 360-degree digital camera system
Is the Mazda 6e secure?
The Mazda 6e has not but been crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
However, the car is loaded with lively security know-how. One concern we regularly have with Chinese-sourced autos is the calibration of those programs – driver monitoring and lane-keep help programs can typically be intrusive and annoying.
Mazda says it’s engaged on native calibration for these programs, which will likely be vital. If it’s a must to flip off the security programs each time you get within the automobile as a result of they beep incessantly, they aren’t doing their job.
How a lot does the Mazda 6e price to run?
Official effectivity figures haven’t been homologated for Australia but, however Mazda claims a variety of over 500km on the WLTP cycle.
The 78kWh battery may be fast-charged from 30 to 80 per cent in round quarter-hour on a suitable DC fast-charger, which is aggressive.
CarExpert’s Take on the Mazda 6e
The Mazda 6e is a promising first step again into the mid-size passenger automobile phase for the Japanese model. It seems to be costly, feels premium inside, and gives glorious electrical specs for the cash.
It’s not good, although. The suspension is simply too gentle for Australian tastes in its present type, and the shortage of bodily buttons is a departure from Mazda’s often glorious ergonomics.
But the bones are good. If Mazda Australia’s engineering staff can work its magic on the suspension tune earlier than its 2026 launch, this may very well be the electrical various many consumers have been ready for.
It gives the reassurance of a legacy model with a large seller community, mixed with the tech and worth we’ve come to count on from Chinese-built EVs. If they nail the ultimate value and the native tune, the Model 3 will lastly have a severe struggle on its palms.
Click the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Mazda 6e EV confirmed for Australia with Tesla-rivalling value
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