Mazda 6e (2026 - )

The 6e marks only the second all-electric vehicle from Mazda, following the release of the MX-30 five years prior.

This model holds significant importance for Mazda as the automotive landscape shifts away from traditional combustion engines.

Regrettably, petrol enthusiasts may find it hard to accept, but the reality is that many people see a large engine and immediately think about the drain on their finances.

Mazda has long been known for its adherence to traditional values that extend beyond just engine size. However, in developing this all-electric car, the company has formed a partnership with the Chinese manufacturer Changan, resulting in a 50/50 joint venture to produce vehicles in China.

Essentially, the 6e is a rebranded Deepal SL03 dressed in Mazda’s design.

But does this mean it departs from the qualities that have made Mazda vehicles so sought after?

Our motoring journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay, attended the UK launch of the 6e to find out.
 

The Mazda 6e records a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds across all its models, although we're currently evaluating the top-spec Takumi Plus variant.

This performance is respectable, albeit somewhat slower than you might anticipate given its 258PS. While there's a reasonable burst of power at the start, the acceleration feels somewhat subdued as you press further on the throttle.

Once on the move, the acceleration loses its immediacy, leading to a bit of frustration with the delay.

Nevertheless, despite not being overly thrilling, this 0-62mph time is competitive against some of its rivals, and it provides enough momentum for merging onto motorways or overtaking on dual carriageways without too much hassle.

Mazda is generally known for its strong handling, and while the 6e follows this trend, it doesn't quite set your world ablaze.

The steering is well-weighted, and the car maintains a flat stance through corners with minimal body roll, benefiting from solid grip levels. However, when pushed to its limits, it can begin to lose composure, and the feedback through the steering wheel leaves something to be desired.

In terms of agility, it doesn't quite reach the heights of premium brands.

Ride comfort is also an area where it falls short, attributed to a firm suspension setup that prioritises playful dynamics over plush comfort, though it remains generally comfortable.

The 6e doesn't feel as stable as many of its competitors, experiencing a bit of wobble over bumps in the road and taking time to regain its composure thereafter. When driven at a steady pace, however, it proves to be a capable long-distance cruiser, well-suited for covering miles effortlessly.

Chinese vehicles have garnered a reputation for excessively intrusive safety systems, and the Mazda 6e is no exception, borrowing this trait from its partner, Deepal. While not as overwhelming as some Chinese models we've encountered, it can still be somewhat distracting.

Cabin noise from the road and wind is minimal, even at higher speeds, providing a pleasant environment for cruising.

The regenerative braking system is quite consistent, allowing for smooth pedal modulation, although we found it most predictable when the regen strength was set lower than maximum.

So, the 6e presents decent driving characteristics, but it somewhat lacks the distinct character and dynamism typically associated with the Mazda brand.
 

The front of the car showcases typical Mazda elements, presenting a sporty and assertive executive aesthetic. It features a conventional wide grille, illuminated mesh accents on either side, slender headlights, silver detailing towards the bottom, and a trapezoidal lower grille.

The side skirts are enhanced by a continuous silver trim, above which lies a smooth indentation transitioning into a gently rounded bulge at the tops of the doors.

This hatchback boasts five doors and a coupe-like silhouette, particularly evident in the pronounced slant of the roofline at the rear.

While the posterior may not possess the same flair, it remains stylish, characterised by a light bar that links the taillights on both sides, the Mazda emblem prominently displayed beneath it, and the number plate positioned lower down, complemented by a robust black rear bumper.

The tailgate is cleverly designed to form a natural lip for a deployable spoiler positioned at the base of the rear window.

The overall appearance is sleek, modern, and highly appealing.

To keep things refreshingly straightforward, the 6e is offered in just two trim levels.

The Takumi variant features 19-inch alloys, a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, a Sony audio system, satellite navigation, voice control, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, and a head-up display.

Additional niceties include a full panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, privacy glass, smartphone keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and an air purification system.

This model also includes LED headlights, a deployable spoiler that activates at speeds over 56mph, rain-sensing wipers, and heated and ventilated front seats upholstered in 'Maztex', with the driver's seat offering ten-way electric adjustment. In contrast, the passenger seat has four-way adjustment.

The range-topping Takumi Plus further elevates the experience with premium tan Nappa leather, fabric seats woven with suede-cloth, an artificial-suede dashboard, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a rear touchscreen. The panoramic glass roof also includes an electric sunshade.

The robust, dual-coloured steering wheel features a flat bottom and substantial thumb indentations, while the top of the dashboard is adorned in black upholstery. At night, soft ambient lighting enhances the cockpit atmosphere.

The centre console maintains a uniform height throughout, creating a snug feeling of enclosure.

However, apart from the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, there's a significant absence of physical controls - a notable departure from Mazda's traditional approach.

Controls are predominantly through the infotainment touchscreen, which, at 14.6 inches, dominates the dash. While it’s a cool piece of tech with sharp graphics, it lacks the responsiveness seen in some other systems.

What's more, the shortage of tangible switches isn't great. For example, adjusting the 6e's settings requires switching to Individual mode and navigating through multiple menus to implement the desired changes, which can be a pain.

Some icons are also a bit small and challenging to accurately select while driving, although the system itself is generally adequate. Thankfully, with smartphone mirroring, you can rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto if preferred.

At least there's a control bar at the bottom of the screen for climate adjustment, and the home screen can be tailored. What’s more, a few of the steering wheel switches are customisable for easy access to preferred menus.

The 10.2-inch digital instrument display is also aesthetically pleasing, though it provides limited customisation options.

Overall, the materials employed exude a premium feel, and the quality aligns well with that of most competitors.
 

The generous travel in both the seats and steering wheel makes it remarkably easy to find a comfortable driving position. For a vehicle that isn’t an SUV, the driver’s seat has a pleasantly elevated feel.
All the seats are quite agreeable, and the electric adjustment in the front further enhances comfort and convenience.
There is ample headroom and legroom available up front as well, ensuring that taller drivers won’t have trouble settling in. The broad centre console effectively separates you from a front-seat passenger, providing plenty of space for your arms and shoulders.
In the rear, there is adequate legroom for three, but the sloping roofline may restrict headroom for taller individuals, and the elevated floor can limit under-thigh support.
Despite being positioned further back due to the sharply angled front windscreen, forward visibility is quite decent, aided by the reasonably slim front pillars.
However, rear visibility is somewhat hindered by the thicker pillars towards the end of the sloping roofline, and the rear windscreen is very flat, almost horizontal. Fortunately, its substantial size does help alleviate some of the visibility issues.
On the plus side, the 6e is fitted with parking sensors and a 360-degree surround-view camera to assist with any visual limitations.
The boot offers a capacity of 466 litres, which is competitive within its segment, although the space up to the parcel shelf is only 336 litres. Additionally, there’s a 72-litre ‘frunk’ located beneath the bonnet, complete with an optional removable container for added convenience.
If you fold the rear seats down in a 60:40 split, the capacity expands to 1,074 litres, although some challengers provide a more flexible 40:20:40 configuration.
The shape of the boot is particularly practical, with no awkward bulges or angles to contend with, and the loading lip is relatively low.
Inside the cabin, you’ll encounter plenty of storage options, including generously sized door bins, a cubby within the central armrest, and additional space under the front of the centre console, along with further storage areas located at the back near the air vents.
 

Both trim levels are equipped with the same-sized battery, which has a capacity of 78kWh and boasts a claimed range of 348 miles.

This performance is respectable and slightly surpasses that of the base model Tesla Model 3, although Tesla's Long-Range variant can achieve an impressive 466 miles.

The 6e features a 200kW DC charging capability, allowing for a 10-80% charge in approximately 24 minutes.

Using a standard 7.4kW AC home charger, the same charge takes around eight hours and fifteen minutes, while a full charge from empty to 100% will take close to eleven hours and forty-five minutes.

With the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices, recharging the 6e's batteries is likely to be considerably more economical, particularly if you mainly charge at home.

While you won't benefit from free road tax anymore - having to pay the standard £200 annually like everyone else - you'll only pay £10 for the first year.

Furthermore, the threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement has increased to £50,000 for electric vehicles, meaning you can avoid the additional £440-a-year tax from years two to six, even if you opt for extras that push the price above £40,000.

This previous threshold of £40,000 remains in place for non-EVs.

As is typical with electric vehicles, the 6e will fall into the lowest band for Benefit-in-Kind tax, making it a financially sensible choice as a company car.

Since the 6e is a new model, there isn't any reliability data available yet, but Mazda generally tends to rank in the middle of most reliability surveys.
 

The Mazda 6e is quite a striking vehicle. Its exterior design is bold and dramatic, while the interior exudes a sense of luxury. It boasts competitive charging capabilities and a commendable range.

We would likely choose the top-tier Takumi Plus model we had the pleasure of driving, as the price difference from the Takumi variant is minimal, and it features the stunning tan upholstery.

That said, the entry-level model holds its own; equipped with 'stone' seats, both versions provide a remarkable level of equipment. The performance is satisfactory, delivering decent off-the-line acceleration, and the handling is passable.

However, ‘passable’ isn’t exactly what you’d expect from Mazda, known for its superb driving dynamics, and it’s evident that the 6e compromises somewhat on this front due to its Chinese development background.

The same applies to the interior, which, despite its elegance, replaces nearly all physical controls with a rather fiddly, overly complex infotainment system.

Nonetheless, it remains a very commendable car that outshines many of its competitors in the mid-market segment.