Mazda shows 6e EV sedan that could land in Australia in 2026 to battle the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal

January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 John Mahoney 176 Views 0 Comments mazda 6e, mazda electric, mazda ev, mazda ez-6

The all-electric Mazda 6e has been unwrapped at the Brussels motor show, revealing the European version of the Mazda EZ-6 currently sold in China.

Built to rival small electric sedans like the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, the larger Mazda 6e is not yet locked in for Australia, but news it will be available in right-hand drive for the UK market from early next year paves the way for its introduction Down Under.

Full details and specification of the Mazda 6e will be revealed later, but early intel suggests right-hand drive versions will come with either a 68.8kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) powerpack or larger 80kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) battery.

With the LFP battery fitted the 6e can cover up to 479km on a charge, while the long-range variant boosts that to around 552km.

Just one e-motor is offered with both power packs, sending 180kW/320Nm through the rear wheels.

2025 Mazda 6e EV interior is a huge leap over the current and elderly Mazda6 combustion sedan

With the entry LFP battery, 0-100km/h takes 7.6 seconds. The heavier NCM cells see the 0-100km/h sprint climb to 7.8 seconds.

When it comes to topping up, both units can be DC fast-charged up to 200kW, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking as little as 22 minutes for the LFP.

The NCM, meanwhile, takes around 45 minutes for the same top-up.

Developed in China with the cooperation of Chinese brand Changan, the 6e has been created as an all-electric successor to the third-generation Mazda6 that has been on sale in Australia for more than 12 years.

It’s an obvious rival to the Tesla Model 3, but the Mazda 6e is a much bigger car.

Beneath its skin the Mazda is based on Changan’s EPA1 platform, measuring 4921mm long, 1890mm wide and 1491mm tall.

The Model 3 is a considerable 201mm shorter, 40mm narrower, and 50mm lower.

In China, Mazda 6e buyers have the choice of a plug-in hybrid version with electric range of between 130-200km, depending on its battery. A 1.5-litre combustion engine is used to top up the battery for a longer total range.

There’s no word yet if the PHEV will also be exported globally.

Mazda Australia has yet to confirm whether the ancient Mazda6, which was dropped from the Japanese market last year, will be replaced by the electric version.

Instead, we’re told the all-new Mazda 6e was currently only under study for global markets.

If green lit for an Australian launch, it’s thought the Mazda 6e could land Down Under as soon as the second half of 2026.