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By Jonathan Crouch

This Mazda6e sees this Hiroshima maker at last getting really serious about EVs. Jonathan Crouch believes it offers something just a little different.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The Mazda6e brings the Hiroshima brand into the mainstream EV market for the first time. The company's needed outside Chinese help to develop - and build - it, but the end result is a refreshingly different option in the aspirational section of the mid-sized EV segment.

Backgroundword count: 194

The general reticence of European buyers to get on board with the full-EV revolution has been matched by Japanese maker Mazda. Here though, the Hiroshima brand has entered the electric market in earnest with this car, the Mazda6e. Prior to this model's arrival, the company had bought us only one electric model, the feeble-ranging MX-30, which few people bought and which had to be eventually superceded by an alternative REX combustion version. In the short term, Mazda thinks big environmental gains are to be made from better electrifying combustion technology, not from flooding the roads with BEVs, so it's mainly concentrating on that. But at the same time, it has to have a presence in the full-electric market, so it's turned to Chinese tech giant Changan to help it develop a bespoke EV powertrain. That was first seen in a car badged as the Mazda EZ-6, which is assembled in China by Changan and was launched at the Beijing Auto Show in 2024. The Mazda6e is basically a more Mazda-influenced and European-ised version of that same design and sells alongside a CX-6e SUV model with much the same engineering. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 300

Mazda has changed the 6e's drive dynamics quite a lot over those of the Chinese market EZ-6 donor model - which is welcome. Not so good is the fact that unlike the EZ-6, the 6e won't be available in combustion REX Range Extender form - not in the short term anyway. So it's EV-only and is being offered in the UK in a single long range form. This sees a 78kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery energising a rear-mounted 258PS motor. The WLTP range is rated at 348 miles and 0-62mph takes 7.8s with 290Nm of torque. Despite this EV's prodigious weight, Mazda still wants it to feel as engaging as most of its other models are to drive. Hence the 50:50 weight distribution, the multi-link rear suspension and the electric rear spoiler that deploys at 55mph (or manually) to improve stability. The Hiroshima brand claims that it has 'carefully calibrated' damping, steering and braking to match European and British driver preferences. This is one of those EVs that doesn't need a start button; you just get in, pull the gear selector and go. There are two steering settings, four brake regen modes and a whole portfolio of ADAS features. Michelin e-Primacy eco tyres aim to improve refinement and maximise range. For the 2027 model year, Mazda worked a bit on the EV driving experience. Maximum acceleration and regenerative braking force were increased, while suspension updates were said to contribute to a more balanced combination of ride comfort and handling stability. The brand says it has also worked on its ADAS systems and for sure they're a lot less intrusive (smoother in operation and more natural-feeling) than those usually fitted to Chinese-derived models. Especially noteworthy is the brand's useful 'Cruising & Traffic Support' set-up, available at speeds of up to 99mph.

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