Mazda is full of road presence and definitely isn’t small
But can it deliver that ‘fun driving’ sensation that is associates with the legendary MX-5? Only one way to find out – Jim McGill takes it on the road
Mazda has delved into the world of electric-only cars previously with the intriguing MX-30, complete with its suicide doors. Now though it’s eyeing the larger saloon market with its new Mazda 6e. Importantly, while it certainly looks like a saloon, it’s actually a hatchback. With a range of up to 348-miles on a single charge, combined with a meaty road presence — it’s a big car – there’s quite a bit, initially, to grab your attention.
Price?
Competitive. Both models duck under the £40,000 barrier. That puts it on a par, or slightly cheaper than many rivals from Chinese, Korean and German manufacturers. But the burning question, given Mazda’s high reputation for ensuring its cars all deliver that ‘fun driving’ sensation we always associate with the legendary MX-5 is … has it been able to endow this large electric car with the same personality? Only one way to find out: head for the majestic roads in North Wales in the shadow of Snowdon.
Hold on: isn’t the 6e based on a Chinese car?
Correct. The Mazda 6e is essentially a restyled Changan Deepal SL03 saloon. Thankfully the external styling is impressive, and gives a significant hint as to how the next generation of Mazda’s ever-successful Mazda6 will look. That certainly will be a car worth waiting on. Imagine that with the 3.3-litre diesel found in the CX-60 and CX-80, though sadly it’s unlikely the power unit will appear in the new Mazda6. The 6e meanwhile builds on the good looks of the Changan model and, if you opt for Mazda’s signature deep red paint and tan leather interior, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a Mazda through-and-through. Worth mentioning that Changan and Mazda have a long-established working relationship, having worked together since the early Noughties. And interestingly, the 6e is already sold in China badged as the Mazda EZ-6 and available as either an EV-only model or as a range-extender hybrid. No surprise then that the Mazda 6e is built in Nanjing by Changan. Sitting on Changan’s EPA1 platform, power is sent to the rear wheels while the electric motor is mounted under the boot floor to help maximise space further forwards. And as is the case with most current generation EVs, the drive battery is stored under the cabin floor.
Is there a choice of models in the UK?
There is, but both are available only with the same power unit. First the trims, and both are aimed at the executive end of the market in terms of price and standard kit. The already hi-spec Takumi starts at £38,995, with the Takumi Plus costing an additional £1000. Both versions are powered by a generous 78kWh battery, which delivers a realistic 300+ miles from a full charge.That’s competitive when compared to the likes of the entry-model Tesla Model 3 RWD. The Mazda 6e also has a power output of 254bhp, resulting in 0-62mph time of 7.3secs, further aided by its 290Nm of torque.
And charging?
Mazda quotes a maximum charging speed of 200kWh, which delivers an impressive 10-80% capacity in 24-minutes.
What’s it like inside?
Big. Similar to how it is outside. This definitely isn’t a small car. The tale of the tape is 4921mm long, 1890mm wide and 1485mm tall. That certainly means there’s ample space for occupants. Open the frameless glass doors and you can’t miss the high-set centre console with two levels of storage. Cleverly, the lower shelf has deep sides to help prevent items sliding out when cornering. Further back there’s a cubbyhole in the armrest which opens via classy silver Mazda-embossed buttons on either side of the console. There’s also 12-volt and USB sockets (one USB-A, one USB-C). The front seats have plenty of room, plus they benefit from heating and ventilation. Also, for a hatchback you sit pretty high up in the cabin. One niggle. The door mirrors are adjusted via the touchscreen menu. Ok, if you’re the main driver you can save their position, including a dipped setting for parking. But really? Why not just have the controls in a panel in the driver’s door? The cabin is pretty vast, and the sense of space is further enhanced by the standard panoramic glass roof. There’s what feels like yards of legroom, plus the broadness of the interior means there’s ample shoulder room for three to sit comfortably across the rear. With three-zone climate control being standard, there are temperature controls in the rear. Opt for the Takumi Plus and you also get controls for the panoramic roof’s sun shade. The two-spoke steering wheel comes with multifunction controls, but just be aware the raised buttons can be easily pressed when turning the steering wheel, as I discovered. Black upholstery is standard in the Takumi, though it can be upgraded to a light colour at no extra cost. The Takumi Plus benefits from a tan trim with suede-effect inserts, plus a tan steering wheel. The combo certainly brightens the cabin and enhances the interior. It is though something of a Marmite moment. No such concerns about the Chinese build quality and materials. Everything feels well screwed together in the cabin, and the doors shut with a reassuring sold feel. Even the artificial leather looks and feels like the real thing, while the high-quality stitching across the dashboard add further to the ambient feel.
Tech and infotainment
If there’s one standout negative of Mazda’s move from the analog to digital interior, it’s the loss of quality, tactile buttons and the simplicity of their operation. What we have in the 6e is a large central 14.6in touchscreen through which almost every function you can think of is fed through. And yes, as I mentioned previously, even tweaking the door mirrors requires numerous stabs of the button on the screen. Yet more functions are controlled through the buttons on the steering wheel. There’s no getting away with it: the touchscreen is hugely frustrating. I’m sure living with it over a period of time would make life easier, but for a day’s drive? I admit: I shouted at it! There are lots of sub-menus and their grouping simply seems illogical. Take the media section. Want to control the radio? You need to use a separate shortcut at the bottom of the display. Even the simplest thing; controlling and adjusting the temperature of the cabin. Press the screen’s lower section and the climate controls pop up. So far so good. Try using them and you quickly discover it’s not intuitive, and adjusting the temperature is so fiddly. On the positive side, in front of the driver there’s a 10.2-inch digital read-out that offers a lot of information, plus a head-up display showing speed and navigation instructions is standard.
Bootspace?
Could be better, would be the Report Card reading. While the old Mazda 6 saloon could stash 480-litres of goodies in the boot, the 6e can only manage 337-litres. There’s also a high load lip and shallow boot floor, but the large tailgate definitely helps with access, plus the rear seats have a 60:40 split. Up front there’s an additional 72-litre storage area in the nose.
Ok, what’s it like to drive?
First things first: the 6e is, without question, a comfortable, quiet and refined EV. But don’t expect it to deliver even a micro-cell of the DNA of its iconic MX-5 sibling. This is a two-tonne car which has clearly been designed as an executive mile-muncher and will, I suspect, spend most of its time either on the motorway or racking up the miles on major A-roads. That said, with all its 254bhp and 290Nm of torque sending power to the rear wheels, it’s still pretty nippy off the line. It also benefits from three driving modes: Normal, Individual and Sport. The first two I fully understand, but quite why there’s a ‘Sport’ mode is questionable. It doesn’t really fit with the EV’s relaxed character. Head to the motorway and the 6e’s refined character shines through. It’ll glide serenely over the road surface in a relaxed, slightly floaty fashion akin to what you would associate with big American saloons. If that’s the kind of comfortable ride you like, then it’ll be perfect for you. That comfort continues when you head into the country, and was perfectly demonstrated by North Wales’ stunning A- and B-roads. The downside is you’re always reminded that this is a big car when it comes to positioning it on the road, plus the suspension again floats over bumps. Having said that, I found if you increase the power as you point the car’s nose into a corner you’ll be rewarded with more fun. But that’s probably to miss the whole point of the 6e. In all driving circumstances, the cabin remained quiet and refined, and not surprisingly it was at its most serene in town. Navigating town traffic was a dawdle thanks to the 6e’s light steering, and the standard safety cameras ensured parking, even for this large car, was effortless. One little thing that takes you a minute to get your head round: the car starts as soon as you unlock it. There’s no starter button. Just open the door, click your seatbelt, slip the 6e into Drive and off you go. Easy-peasy.
Safety
Like the majority of modern cars, the 6e comes with a comprehensive suite of safety systems. Most of them can be adjusted in terms of their sensitivity, or in some cases turned off completely: think lane departure and speed warning alert, which like most cars’ systems quickly become annoying with their tireless bings and bongs. Of course, you need to reset your preferences every time the car starts. Annoying.
Warranty
A six-year/100,000-mile warranty is standard on all Mazdas, and this includes the 6e. It also benefits from a dedicated 8-year or 100,000-mile high-voltage EV battery warranty.
Verdict As we I mentioned in last week’s review of the Suzuki eVitara, the government’s ZEV Mandate — which means manufacturers need to sell a certain percentage of electric cars in their annual UK sales figures or they get hit by financial penalties — has altered carmaker’s build plans. They need EVs in their range. Hence the fact Mazda has fast-tracked the 6e to UK showrooms. It don’t expect it will be a big seller, certainly not in terms of private retail sales. Where it is targeted to make an impact is in the expanding D segment BEV fleet market. Here its price and Business in Kind tax benefits will be advantageous to business users. The Mazda 6e is a good-looking car with a perfectly acceptable range. The cabin’s a comfortable place, it’s cavernous and the car drives neatly and smoothly. But, is it really a Mazda? Does it stir the emotions like true Mazdas do, or has something been lost on the road to pure electric? If you’re in the market for an executive EV hatchback, I’d certainly recommend you try the 6e. Then you can make your own decision.
Facts at a glanceMazda 6e Takumi Price: £38,995 Powertrain: 78kWh battery, single electric motor Power/Torque: 254bhp / 290Nm Transmission: Single-speed auto, rear-wheel drive Top speed / 0-62mph: 109mph / 7.3secs Range: 348-miles (WLTP)
Charging: 200kW rapid DC charger, 10-80% in 24-minutes. CO2: 0g/km Dimensions (L/W/H): 4921mm / 1890mm / 1485mm On sale: Now