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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: 179

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; and even that has mainly been promoted of late in its alternative REX combustion form. 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 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 model. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 221

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 LFP 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. The smaller 68.8kWh battery offered in Europe isn't available here. 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, a couple of light brake regen modes and a whole portfolio of ADAS features. Michelin e-Primacy eco tyres aim to improve refinement and maximise range.

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