It’s no secret that Mazda has been dragging its heels a little when it comes to electric vehicles.
The MX-30 small electric SUV was a quirky styling exercise with a battery range that barely got you to the shops and back, but the brand is finally getting serious – this is the new 2026 Mazda 6e.
You might have seen it unveiled at the Beijing motor show as the Mazda EZ-6, a product of Mazda’s joint venture with Chinese giant Changan.
While it’s built in China on a shared platform, this isn’t just a badge-engineering job – it’s the spiritual successor to the beloved Mazda 6, and it’s coming to Australia in mid-2026.
We have had a brief first drive of a pre-production model at a proving ground to see if it can actually take on the sales juggernaut that is the Tesla Model 3.
WATCH: Paul’s video first drive review of the Mazda 6e
Crucially, Mazda Australia is targeting a starting price of under $55,000 before on-road costs. That is a critical number because it puts the 6e squarely in the crosshairs of the Model 3 RWD and the BYD Seal Premium.
But here is the big question: beneath that stunning sheet metal, does it still have the ‘Zoom-Zoom’ DNA we expect from a Mazda, or does it feel like just another soft, generic EV?
How much does the Mazda 6e cost?
Mazda hasn’t locked in the final dollar figure, but the guidance is aggressive. A sub-$55,000 starting price for a car of this size and spec is impressive.
That pricing strategy is clearly aimed at undercutting or matching the segment leaders. For context, the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) currently starts around the $54,900 mark, and the BYD Seal Dynamic is even cheaper.
If Mazda can land a high-specification vehicle at this price point, it immediately becomes a value player in a segment where legacy manufacturers have struggled to compete on price.
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What is the Mazda 6e like on the inside?
If you’ve sat in a CX-60 or CX-90 recently, you know Mazda is pushing hard on interior quality. The 6e feels different, though – it’s much more minimalist, clearly taking inspiration from the Chinese market’s preference for screen-heavy cabins.
The centrepiece is a massive 14.6-inch infotainment screen that controls almost everything. Sadly, Mazda’s tactile rotary dial is gone, and so are most of the physical buttons.
For traditional Mazda fans, this will be a shock. You have to use the screen for climate control, side mirror adjustments, and even changing the drive modes. It feels very similar to a Tesla in its operation – clean, but potentially distracting on the move.
That said, the material quality is properly plush. The floating centre console creates a sense of space, and the fit and finish in this pre-production car was already top-notch.
It uses a mix of soft-touch materials and what looks like a Bentley-inspired two-tone leather steering wheel in the car we drove.
The back seat is where the new platform shines. There is acres of legroom – far more than in the old petrol Mazda 6 – thanks to the long wheelbase. The floor is flat, and even with the panoramic glass roof, headroom is decent for a six-footer.
Unusually for a car that looks like a sedan, it is actually a liftback. The rear glass opens with the boot lid, revealing a massive aperture that makes loading bulky items significantly easier than with a Model 3.
What’s under the bonnet?
For Australia, we are getting a best of both worlds powertrain. In other markets, you often have to choose between a bigger battery or more power – we get both.
The 6e will come with a 78kWh Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) battery paired with a single electric motor sending 190kW to the rear wheels.
That LFP chemistry is a smart choice for Australian buyers. Unlike other battery chemistries, it likes being charged to 100 per cent regularly without degradation concerns.
Preliminary specifications include:
- Power: 190kW
- Torque: TBC
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
- Battery: 78kWh LFP
- Range: >500km (claimed WLTP)
- Charging: 30-80% in 15 mins (DC)
How does the Mazda 6e drive?
This is where things get complicated. The car we drove was a pre-production vehicle with a European suspension tune, and straight away it felt very soft.
Driving around the proving ground, the ride was incredibly compliant over small corrugations, soaking up bad surfaces better than many firm-riding EVs. It’s quiet, refined, and comfortable at city speeds.
However, once you pick up the pace, that softness becomes an issue. It feels floaty over crests and dips. Mid-corner bumps tend to unsettle the rear-end, making the car wallow a bit.
It lacks that tied-down, sporty engagement – the Jinba Ittai (horse and rider as one) connection – that usually defines a Mazda.
It reminds me a lot of other Chinese-market EVs that prioritise comfort over body control. If you want a relaxed cruiser, it’s lovely. But if you’re expecting a sports sedan, this isn’t it – yet.
The power delivery is smooth rather than violent. We tested the 0-100km/h sprint time and clocked it at 7.35 seconds.
That’s plenty quick enough for daily driving and overtaking, even if it won’t pin your head to the head restraint like a dual-motor performance EV.
The good news is that Mazda Australia is aware of this. It typically conducts extensive local ride and handling programs and, frankly, this car needs it.
If Mazda can tighten up the body control without ruining that plush ride, they will have a winner.
What do you get?
Full specifications haven’t been released, but based on the prototype we drove we can expect a high level of standard equipment given the price point.
Likely standard features will include:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres
- 14.6-inch central touchscreen
- Digital instrument cluster
- Head-up display
- Panoramic glass roof
- Powered tailgate (liftback)
- 360-degree camera system
Is the Mazda 6e safe?
The Mazda 6e has not yet been crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
However, the vehicle is loaded with active safety technology. One concern we often have with Chinese-sourced vehicles is the calibration of these systems – driver monitoring and lane-keep assist systems can often be intrusive and annoying.
Mazda says it is working on local calibration for these systems, which will be critical. If you have to turn off the safety systems every time you get in the car because they beep incessantly, they aren’t doing their job.
How much does the Mazda 6e cost to run?
Official efficiency figures haven’t been homologated for Australia yet, but Mazda claims a range of over 500km on the WLTP cycle.
The 78kWh battery can be fast-charged from 30 to 80 per cent in around 15 minutes on a compatible DC fast-charger, which is competitive.
CarExpert’s Take on the Mazda 6e
The Mazda 6e is a promising first step back into the mid-size passenger car segment for the Japanese brand. It looks expensive, feels premium inside, and offers excellent electric specs for the money.
It’s not perfect, though. The suspension is too soft for Australian tastes in its current form, and the lack of physical buttons is a departure from Mazda’s usually excellent ergonomics.
But the bones are good. If Mazda Australia’s engineering team can work its magic on the suspension tune before its 2026 launch, this could be the electric alternative many buyers have been waiting for.
It offers the reassurance of a legacy brand with a massive dealer network, combined with the tech and value we’ve come to expect from Chinese-built EVs. If they nail the final price and the local tune, the Model 3 will finally have a serious fight on its hands.
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