Coolest EV denied! Why Mazda’s handsome Tesla Model 3 fighter is locked out of Australia

Australia’s mania for SUVs and utes is threatening the chances of the handsome new Mazda EZ-6 large sedan coming to Australia.

An obvious replacement for the venerable third generation Mazda6, the EZ-6 has the added appeal of being offered as both an electric vehicle and rear-wheel drive.

Actually a five-door liftback rather than a traditional four-door, the EZ-6 is a co-production between Mazda and its Chinese partner Changan.

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It was revealed at the Beijing show last April and has just rolled into showrooms across China in seven model variants with prices ranging from the equivalent of $29,500 (approx) to $38,000 (approx).

Despite earlier reports that it was also to be sold in Europe and even potentially in the right-hand drive UK market – making it a much simpler proposition for Australia – the local arm of Mazda says it’s just not available.

And on top of that, with sedan sales a fraction of what they once were, why bother?

“We’re not even discussing it [EZ-6],” Mazda Australian managing director Vinesh Bhindi said. “The sedan market is not where consumers are.

“It’s only built in China for the Chinese market because the sedan market is still quite sizable in China.”

As understandable as all that is, there’s either been a miscommunication somewhere in the Mazda world or something shady has gone on.

That’s because the statement the EZ-6 was headed for Europe as well as China, came in August from a press release distribution service called PR Newswire and was allegedly posted by Mazda.

But not so, says Bhindi.

“It was not an official statement,” he insisted.

“So at this stage the only announcement Mazda Corporation has made is it [EZ-6] is for China and it only went on-sale in China in the last couple of weeks.”

While that doesn’t even seem to offer a glimmer of hope for the EZ-6 down under, the reality is Mazda Australia is sticking with the Mazda6 as long as production lasts, even if sales are declining.

So it’s not totally opposed to the concept of low-slung traditional large passenger cars finding space in the showroom alongside its multiplying range of CX- SUVs and the BT-50 ute.

And last time we checked Tesla was still managing to sell a few Model 3s in Australia.

Also, it’s not like Mazda Australia couldn’t use some more electrified models as the New Vehicle Emissions Standard looms and to maybe get back on the EV horse after the misfire that was the MX-30.

Just saying…

Anyway, the EZ-6 is closely related to the Changan Deepal L07 sedan. Deepal has recently launched in Australia with the S07 electric SUV.

The EZ-6 EV makes 190kW/320Nm and claims a 480km or 600km CLTC driving range from its choice of 56.1 and 68.8 lithium-ion phosphate battery packs.

A range extender EREV includes a 1.5-litre 70kW/141Nm naturally aspirated petrol engine and an electric motor for a combined 160kW/320Nm, a choice of 18.9kWh and 28.4kWh battery packs for an electric-only CLTC range of 105km and 160km. Claimed total range is an eye-popping 1300km.

A large car, the EZ-6 measures up at a generous 4921mm long, 1890mm wide and 1485mm high. It has a 2895mm wheelbase.