Overview

MAZDA Australia has confirmed it will introduce its first mainstream electric vehicle into the local market in the second quarter of 2026.

The Chinese-made 6e will be priced from less than $55,000 and will go toe-to-toe with the likes of the BYD Seal Premium (from $58,798 + ORC), Hyundai Ioniq 6 (from $67,300 + ORC), IM Motor 5 Premium (from $60,990 + ORC), Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor (from $62,400 + ORC), and Telsa Model 3 Single Motor Rear Wheel Drive (from $54,900 before on-road costs).

While a respectable price for a mid-sized electric sedan, the Mazda 6e is considerably more expensive than its petrol predecessor, the Mazda6, which was priced from $36,290-$52,590 + ORC in sedan format, with wagons carrying a $1300 premium.

The five-door liftback hosts five seats clad in leather and Alcantara upholstery and is fitted, at least in the model shown, with a dual-pane sunroof, all-screen human-machine interface, and a rich blend of soft and tactile finishes.

Other interior appointments include a 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen, a 14-speaker Sony sound system, augmented reality HUD, and 330 litres of cargo space – with a further 70 litres offered in the ‘frunk’.

Excusing the short-lived MX-30, the 6e is said to become something of a “foundation electric model” for Mazda Australia and is likely to be followed by the CX-6e all-electric mid-sized SUV in the not-too-distant future.

Built upon Changan’s EVA1 electric vehicle architecture, the Mazda 6e measures 4921mm in length and 1890mm in width making it approximately 50mm larger in each direction as compared with the now-discontinued Mazda6.

The model is rear wheel driven and develops outputs of 180kW and 320Nm. GoAuto understands the local variant will offer a 78kWh LFP battery pack capable of delivering a WLTP driving range of around 500km.

Charging times of 47 minutes are expected when connected to a 70kW DC charger.

Driving Impressions

The 6e is a Mazda, but perhaps not as we know it.

Built in China by Changan – that country’s third-largest automotive manufacturer – the 6e is essentially a rebadged Deepal L07, albeit with several important changes as detailed in our recent engineering interview with Mazda Europe’s Alex Fritsche.

So, while the 6e might look, and perhaps feel like a Mazda, it doesn’t operate like one – and it doesn’t drive like one.

Despite the changes Mazda has made to the L07 donor, it’s obvious the 6e doesn’t have a Japanese pedigree.

The steering is over-assisted, vague, and entirely without feedback. Its weighting is eccentric and, despite promises to the contrary, is tugged at by the lane keeping nannies at every opportunity.

Of course, some of that might come down to the fact we were driving a left-hand drive vehicle on a right-hand drive circuit, but really, it is very un-Mazda-like and will have you searching for the lane keep ‘defeat’ button right from get-go.

Which of course means you’ll need to interact with the central touchscreen. Like the Deepal donor, the central touchscreen plays host to every control you can conceive – wiper settings, headlighting, mirror adjustment, climate control, and of course ADAS settings.

It’s an interface that is a long way removed from the logical Mazda arrangement to which we’ve become accustomed; and while you do get used to it over time, there’s a feeling that you shouldn’t have to.

On the ergonomic front (and before we return to our Driving Impressions) we feel the seating position is a little high, which may dissuade taller buyers. That said, there is plenty of legroom and a generous back seat…

In that respect, this vehicle is very nearly a good match for the Mazda6 inside, but we’d definitely recommend a lengthy test drive to ensure you’re completely comfortable behind the ‘wheel.

OK, let’s get back to the drive.

Underway, the 6e is impressively quiet with just a hint of wind rustle over the door mirrors at higher speeds. There’s very little tyre or road noise intrusion and, of course, no mechanical noise to speak of.

We found the vehicle’s acceleration impressively linear, almost irrespective of road speed.

Where some EVs dash from the line before rapidly trailing off (resulting in an increase in throttle follow through for the driver), the 6e is markedly consistent. It’s one of those ‘EV issues’ many makers can’t seem to get right, and it’s pleasing to note that Mazda (or is that Changan?) has.

The ride is comfortable at highway speeds (80-130km/h) without feeling fluffy or loose. There’s a sense the car is well tied down at higher speeds, suggesting Mazda’s German tuning arm has had its way in tailoring the 6e for autobahn travel.

Of course, there’s still very little communication to instil an outright feeling of confidence, and as you head for some more challenging corners, it’s our confidence in the 6e’s suspension tune that quickly falls away.

We found the rear-end quite unsettled in heavier cornering where the weight of the vehicle quickly becomes apparent. The rear of the 6e feels as though it wants to pass the front of the car in sharper, downhill bends, the damping desperately slow to respond to a quickly compressing spring.

Admittedly, the sticky Michelin rubber and tack-sharp electronic driver aids help keep the 6e on course, but there’s a feeling that the horse is trying hard to throw its rider. If Mazda’s jinba ittai driving philosophy was the cornerstone of models like the Mazda6 and MX-5, it’s now fair to say that ethos is thinly diluted here.

Though, just how many EV buyers are likely to mind is another point entirely…

In a world where driving range, environmental savviness, standout styling, and the latest connectivity features outweigh the fundamentals of enjoyment at the ‘wheel it’s quite fair to say the 6e has hit a sweet spot.

This is not the sweet handling, engaging Mazda we know; but for the most part it is a lovely electric vehicle.

With a quality finish, a reasonable list price, acceptable driving range, and loads of useful tech’ there are more than enough reasons to see the positives the 6e has to offer – we just doubt former Mazda6 owners will feel the same way.

Note – Mazda Australia has confirmed the 6e will undergo further ride and handling tuning before it makes its way into local dealerships next year. Visit GoAuto again for our review of the right-hand drive production model in 2026.