There’s a touch of Jekyll & Hyde about the new Mazda 6e. On the one hand it has the
looks of a fashion magazine cover model, on the other, the innovative EV has made a
complete surrender to the infotainment touchscreen.
I will admit I’m a fan on the first count. And I’m not alone in that, as the svelte sedan,
Mazda’s first mainstream electric vehicle, attracted votes from close to t00 motoring
journalists to be named 2026 World Car Design of 2026.
Built by Changan Mazda in China – a joint venture between Mazda Motor Corporation
and Changan Automobile – this isn’t a first for Mazda in Australia. The BT-50 ute is
based on the Isuzu D-Max and before that the Ford Ranger.
While the 6e may share Deepal SL03 and L07 sedan stuff, Mazda chief designer
Yoshito Iwauchi insists the only duplicated bodywork is the side window glass.
The Mazda 6e is offered in two well equipped grades – GT and the flagship Atenza – at
appealing prices of $49,990 and $52,990, respectively, plus on-road costs. An option of
Warm Beige trim is exclusive to the GT for $1000.
The Mazda 6e is subject to the maker’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and 24-
hour roadside assist for a similar period. The battery attracts an eight-year, 160,000km
guarantee.
STYLING:
Ushering in the evolution of Mazda’s signature design philosophy, ‘Kodo: Soul of
Motion’, the Mazda 6e features sleek and flowing lines that give it a striking,
sophisticated character.
The coupé silhouette creates an athletic look, while maintaining the practicality of a five-
door liftback, which sports a rear-mounted pop-up spoiler for good measure.
INTERIOR
With a generous 2895mm wheelbase, the Mazda 6e’s minimalist five-seat cabin, heavily
influenced by the Japanese concept of ‘ma’ – the beauty of empty space, is a bastion of
good taste. Unfortunately, headroom is compromised by the swoopy coupe roofline and
raised floor due to the position of the batteries beneath.
Boot space measures 337 litres with all seatbacks upright and but expands to 1074
litres rear seats lowered. Up front is a handy ‘frunk’ (front trunk) under the bonnet that
adds 72 litres.
For the added $3000, it would be hard to resist the attraction of the Atenza with its tan
leather and synthetic seats with quilted stitching, two-tone tan/black leather steering
wheel, plus tan synthetic suede dashboard and door trims.
INFOTAINMENT:
A 10.2-inch multi-meter driving display was clear and crisp but was let down by the tiny
type size; a 360-degree monitor boasted see-through views. Debuting in both grades is
the new Mazda 6e app, which includes a Bluetooth key with wireless Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto along with the ability to control the cabin climate, locking and unlocking
doors and windows from the palm of the hand. There’s also a premium 14-speaker
Sony sound system.
Touchscreen trauma: with a busy lifestyle, time to conquer infotainment software
manipulation was in short supply, hence my frustration in the menu’s protracted call-up
of requirements for computer comfort and convenience. Multi-purpose steering wheel-
mounted buttons were little help.
I realise the software boffins are constantly competing to come up with cutting edge
menus but some form of consistency, especially in icons, across rival models would not
go amiss. Fortunately, it all worked out for me in the end.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS:
The Mazda 6e offers a rear wheel-drive electric motor delivering up to190kW of power
and a maximum of 290Nm of torque, with a claimed frugal combined urban/highway
energy consumption of 15.9kWh/100km – the test car came up with an average of
15.6kWh/100km – and boasts a WLTP driving range of up to 560 kilometres from the
78kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
A CCS Type-2 charging port gives the Mazda 6e DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent in
as little as 15 minutes.
SAFETY:
The Mazda 6e was recently awarded the top five-star ANCP safety rating with a range
of advanced driver assistance systems and unobtrusive driver monitoring designed to
keep occupants out of danger.
Standard inclusions across GT and Atenza include nine airbags, autonomous
emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assist,
emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-
traffic alert.
DRIVING:
Despite a sporty street presence, the Mazda 6e is no bitumen burner, with just swift,
near-silent thrust from a standing start, one hundred kilometres an hour coming up in
7.9 seconds.
The low, aerodynamic body adds to fuel economy and range. The test car came close
to the claimed combined energy of 15.9 kWh per 100 kilometres and more than 500km
in range.
As for ride and handling Australia gets a firmer European-developed suspension set-up
as opposed to the softer Chinese tune and is at home cruising the open road. Steering
is responsive, if a little lacking in feedback.
Active safety systems can be intrusive – are we drivers or computer operators? The
driver attention alert could not seem to make up its mind on test.
SUMMARY:
Mazda has managed to do its best combining the brand’s signature design (and how!)
and Jinba-Ittai driving performance as one between man and machine well. The electric
and smart technology of its Chinese collaborative partner needs to catch up.
RATINGS:
Looks – 9
Performance – 7
Safety – 8
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 7
Tech – 8
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE:
MODEL LINE-UP:
Mazda 6e Atenza $52,990
Mazda 6e GT $49,990
Options: Warm Beige Interior Trim (exclusive to Mazda 6e GT) $1000
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your
Mazda local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS: (Mazda 6e Atenza BEV,1sp auto RWD, liftback
ENGINE:
Electric motor: Rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power 190kW
Maximum torque: 290Nm
DRIVELINE: Single-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
BATTERY: Lithium iron permanent magnet
Capacity: 78kWh
Energy consumption: 15.9kWh/100km
Maximum input: ???
PERFORMANCE:
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.35sec
Driving range: 560km
Energy consumption: 15.9kWh/100km
CHARGING:
DC capacity: 150kW
Approx DC charge time: 15min (30-80pc)
DC connector: DCS2
AC capacity: 11kW
Approx AC charge time: 7hr
AC connector: Type2
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4921mm
Width: 1890mm
Height: 1650mm
Wheelbase: 2895mm:
Turning circle: 11.2m
Kerb weight: 2090kg
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres
Eight years/160,000 battery
