Mazda’s early steps into the electric vehicle market were met with limited enthusiasm, but the Japanese automaker now appears to be finding firmer footing. After introducing the Mazda 6e electric sedan last year, the brand is continuing its renewed EV push with the debut of the CX-6e, a fully electric midsize SUV developed in cooperation with its Chinese partner, Changan. The European premiere took place at the Brussels Motor Show, and sales across continental Europe are scheduled to begin later this year. In China, the same vehicle is already on sale under the name Mazda EZ-6.
A New Chapter in Mazda’s Electric Strategy
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
The CX-6e represents Mazda’s second fully electric model created through its joint venture with Changan, underscoring how central this partnership has become to the brand’s electrification plans. By leveraging Chinese EV expertise and shared development costs, Mazda aims to accelerate its transition into battery-powered vehicles while remaining competitive on price and technology.
For European customers, the CX-6e signals a clear expansion beyond Mazda’s traditionally cautious EV approach. While earlier efforts such as the MX-30 struggled to gain traction, the CX-6e enters a far more competitive and relevant segment: electric midsize SUVs.
Radical Interior, Familiar Mazda Design Values
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
Visually, the CX-6e introduces a more progressive design language, especially inside the cabin. According to Jo Stenuit, Mazda’s European design director, the interior is meant to preview the direction of future Mazda cabins, with a strong emphasis on digitalization.
The CX-6e is the first Mazda to feature a massive 26-inch central infotainment display, replacing much of the conventional button-based interface. Traditional side mirrors are replaced by camera systems, Bluetooth speakers are integrated into the front headrests, and there is no traditional instrument cluster. Instead, driving information is projected onto a large augmented-reality head-up display.
While the exterior was largely shaped by Mazda’s European design studio in Frankfurt, the decision to rely almost entirely on screens inside the cabin came from Japan. The rationale, according to Mazda, is global usability: digital displays translate more easily across markets than physical controls, even if they represent a departure from Mazda’s historically driver-focused interiors.
Size, Platform, and Chinese Roots
Despite being positioned as the electric counterpart to the CX-60, the CX-6e is slightly larger. It measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,935 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, making it longer and wider but also lower than its internal combustion sibling. Mazda describes the design as “living art,” emphasizing flowing surfaces rather than sharp angles.
Technically, the CX-6e is not a Mazda-exclusive product. It is mechanically identical to the Changan Deepal S07 and is built on the EPA1 platform. Both vehicles are manufactured on the same production line in Nanjing, China. This shared foundation highlights how deeply integrated Mazda’s Chinese EV strategy has become.
Powertrain and Range for Europe
While some global markets such as China and Australia offer the EZ-60 with plug-in hybrid powertrains, Europe will receive only the fully electric version. For continental Europe, the CX-6e is equipped with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 255 horsepower, paired with a 78 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. Mazda quotes a driving range of up to 480 kilometers under the WLTP cycle.
For context, competitors like the Audi Q6 e-tron offer significantly longer ranges, up to around 610 kilometers, placing the CX-6e closer to the middle of the segment rather than at the top.
Practicality and Market Outlook
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
Cargo capacity stands at 468 liters, nearly 100 liters less than the CX-60. However, an additional 80-liter front trunk is included, primarily intended for charging cables.
Sales in the United Kingdom are planned for late 2026, roughly six months after the continental European launch. At that point, the CX-6e and the Mazda 6e sedan will form Mazda’s complete EV lineup in the UK.
A Turning Point for Mazda in Europe
Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.
The Mazda CX-6e does not redefine benchmarks for range or cargo space, but its significance lies elsewhere. With bold design choices, a highly digital interior, and a pragmatic reliance on global partnerships, it represents a decisive shift in how Mazda approaches electric mobility.
For a brand still carving out its place in the EV era, the CX-6e could prove to be a crucial stepping stone, helping Mazda rebuild credibility with electric vehicle buyers and establish a stronger presence in Europe’s increasingly crowded EV market.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.
