Take a look at our newest merchandise
It’s no secret that Mazda has been dragging its heels somewhat in the case of electrical automobiles.
The MX-30 small electrical SUV was a unusual styling train with a battery vary that hardly bought you to the outlets and again, however the model is lastly getting critical – that is the brand new 2026 Mazda 6e.
You may need seen it unveiled on the Beijing motor present because the Mazda EZ-6, a product of Mazda’s three way partnership with Chinese language large Changan.
Whereas it’s in-built China on a shared platform, this isn’t simply a badge-engineering job – it’s the religious successor to the beloved Mazda 6, and it’s coming to Australia in mid-2026.
We have now had a quick first drive of a pre-production mannequin at a proving floor to see if it could actually really tackle the gross sales juggernaut that’s the Tesla Mannequin 3.
WATCH: Paul’s video first drive evaluation of the Mazda 6e
Crucially, Mazda Australia is focusing on a beginning value of below $55,000 earlier than on-road prices. That could be a vital quantity as a result of it places the 6e squarely within the crosshairs of the Mannequin 3 RWD and the BYD Seal Premium.
However right here is the massive query: beneath that beautiful sheet metallic, does it nonetheless have the ‘Zoom-Zoom’ DNA we anticipate from a Mazda, or does it really feel like simply one other tender, generic EV?
How a lot does the Mazda 6e value?
Mazda hasn’t locked within the last greenback determine, however the steering is aggressive. A sub-$55,000 beginning value for a automotive of this dimension and spec is spectacular.
That pricing technique is clearly aimed toward undercutting or matching the phase leaders. For context, the Tesla Mannequin 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) presently 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.
Allow us to enable you to discover your new automotive
Purchase your new automotive with out the stress. It is quick, easy and fully free.
Nice service from Travis and workforce, second time I’ve used this enterprise wouldn’t hesitate to advocate them to anybody
Craig C.
Bought a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD
CarExpert helped Craig save hundreds on his Ford Ranger, now allow us to prevent in your subsequent new automotive.
Discover a deal
What’s the Mazda 6e like on the within?
If you happen to’ve sat in a CX-60 or CX-90 lately, you already know Mazda is pushing arduous on inside high quality. The 6e feels completely different, although – it’s far more minimalist, clearly taking inspiration from the Chinese language market’s desire for screen-heavy cabins.
The centrepiece is an enormous 14.6-inch infotainment display screen that controls virtually every little thing. Sadly, Mazda’s tactile rotary dial is gone, and so are many of the bodily buttons.
For conventional Mazda followers, this can be a shock. You must use 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 probably distracting on the transfer.
That stated, the fabric high quality is correctly plush. The floating centre console creates a way of house, and the match and end on this pre-production automotive was already top-notch.
It makes use of a mixture of soft-touch supplies and what seems like a Bentley-inspired two-tone leather-based steering wheel within the automotive we drove.
The again seat is the place the brand new platform shines. There may be acres of legroom – excess of within the outdated petrol Mazda 6 – because of the lengthy wheelbase. The ground is flat, and even with the panoramic glass roof, headroom is respectable for a six-footer.
Unusually for a automotive that appears like a sedan, it’s really a liftback. The rear glass opens with the boot lid, revealing an enormous aperture that makes loading cumbersome gadgets considerably simpler than with a Mannequin 3.
What’s below the bonnet?
For Australia, we’re getting a better of each worlds powertrain. In different markets, you usually have to decide on between an even 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 selection for Australian consumers. In contrast to different battery chemistries, it likes being charged to 100 per cent often with out degradation considerations.
Preliminary specs embody:
- Energy: 190kW
- Torque: TBC
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
- Battery: 78kWh LFP
- Vary: >500km (claimed WLTP)
- Charging: 30-80% in 15 minutes (DC)
How does the Mazda 6e drive?
That is the place issues get difficult. The automotive we drove was a pre-production car with a European suspension tune, and right away it felt very tender.
Driving across the proving floor, the journey was extremely compliant over small corrugations, absorbing unhealthy surfaces higher than many firm-riding EVs. It’s quiet, refined, and cozy at metropolis speeds.
Nevertheless, when you decide up the tempo, that softness turns into a problem. It feels floaty over crests and dips. Mid-corner bumps are likely to unsettle the rear-end, making the automotive 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 a number of different Chinese language-market EVs that prioritise consolation over physique management. If you need a relaxed cruiser, it’s beautiful. However in case you’re anticipating a sports activities sedan, this isn’t it – but.
The facility supply is easy reasonably than violent. We examined the 0-100km/h dash time and clocked it at 7.35 seconds.
That’s lots fast sufficient for every 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 in depth native journey and dealing with packages and, frankly, this automotive wants it.
If Mazda can tighten up the physique management with out ruining that plush journey, they’ll have a winner.
What do you get?
Full specs haven’t been launched, however primarily based on the prototype we drove we are able to anticipate a excessive degree of ordinary tools given the worth level.
Possible normal 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 digicam system
Is the Mazda 6e secure?
The Mazda 6e has not but been crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Nevertheless, the car is loaded with lively security know-how. One concern we frequently have with Chinese language-sourced automobiles is the calibration of those methods – driver monitoring and lane-keep help methods can usually be intrusive and annoying.
Mazda says it’s engaged on native calibration for these methods, which can be vital. If you must flip off the protection methods each time you get within the automotive as a result of they beep incessantly, they aren’t doing their job.
How a lot does the Mazda 6e value to run?
Official effectivity figures haven’t been homologated for Australia but, however Mazda claims a spread of over 500km on the WLTP cycle.
The 78kWh battery will be fast-charged from 30 to 80 per cent in round quarter-hour on a suitable DC fast-charger, which is aggressive.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda 6e
The Mazda 6e is a promising first step again into the mid-size passenger automotive phase for the Japanese model. It seems costly, feels premium inside, and affords wonderful electrical specs for the cash.
It’s not good, although. The suspension is simply too tender for Australian tastes in its present kind, and the dearth of bodily buttons is a departure from Mazda’s often wonderful ergonomics.
However the bones are good. If Mazda Australia’s engineering workforce can work its magic on the suspension tune earlier than its 2026 launch, this may very well be the electrical different many consumers have been ready for.
It affords the reassurance of a legacy model with an enormous seller community, mixed with the tech and worth we’ve come to anticipate from Chinese language-built EVs. In the event that they nail the ultimate value and the native tune, the Mannequin 3 will lastly have a critical combat on its arms.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Mazda 6e EV confirmed for Australia with Tesla-rivalling value
MORE: Discover the Mazda 6 showroom
