The all-new Mazda 6e marks an important step in Mazda’s electric-car ambitions, introducing a sleek, family-friendly EV that combines distinctive styling, a premium cabin and everyday practicality.
There is, however, an interesting story behind Mazda’s latest electric model. The 6e has been developed in collaboration with Mazda’s long-standing Chinese partner Changan Automobile, raising an obvious question: despite its shared foundations, does it still deliver the character and driving experience expected from a Mazda?
Tom heads to the roads of North Wales to find out, putting the new Mazda 6e through its paces across a mixture of challenging routes and everyday driving conditions.
On the road, attention turns to how successfully Mazda has translated its traditional focus on driver involvement into an electric car. With EVs bringing additional battery weight and a very different powertrain experience, the test explores the 6e’s steering, ride quality, handling and overall refinement to discover whether there is still some of that familiar Mazda DNA behind the wheel.
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Inside, the Mazda 6e makes a strong first impression. The cabin has a clean, contemporary appearance with an emphasis on quality and comfort, helping position the newcomer as more than simply another mainstream family EV.
Practicality is equally important. As a car aimed at buyers who may previously have considered a conventional family saloon, hatchback or SUV, the 6e needs to combine its stylish fastback appearance with useful passenger accommodation, luggage capacity and the everyday usability expected from a modern electric car.
The involvement of Changan inevitably adds another dimension to the review. Collaborations and shared vehicle platforms are increasingly common across the global motor industry, but Mazda has built much of its reputation around cars with a recognisable personality of their own.
So, has Mazda successfully taken the foundations of a jointly developed electric car and turned them into something distinctly its own?
Tom explores the Mazda 6e’s design, interior, practicality and driving experience on the roads of North Wales to answer perhaps the most important question of all: does the Mazda 6e still feel like a Mazda?
