The Mazda 6 was briefly absent from the European market. At the beginning of the year, the fully electric successor made its European debut at the Brussels Motor Show. This second half of the year, it comes into the market, and we were able to drive it.
The newcomer is based on the Chinese Chang’an Deepal SL03, with Chang’an being Mazda’s Chinese partner. Although the 6e has the appearance of a classic sedan, it is actually a 5-door hatchback, which enhances its practicality.
The Mazda 6 has always been a significant model for Mazda, having sold more than one million cars in Europe across its three preceding generations, and over 4 million units worldwide. The successor aims to continue this tradition while also expanding to a new clientele, especially in the leasing sector.
Value for money
The newcomer remains a large sedan, measuring 4.9 m in length, offering ample space for its occupants and their luggage (466 to 1,074 liters). Additionally, there is a ‘frunk’ in the front, providing an extra 72 liters of space. With its electric tow bar installed (one of the rare options), the car can tow up to 1,500 kilograms.
Interested customers won’t have to search and compare configurators for a long time, as the Mazda 6e will be available with two different battery sizes and in two versions. The difference between the ‘basic’ Takumi version and the Takumi Plus lies in the quality of the leather upholstery and the electric sunshade for the standard sunroof.
Two motors, two battery types
The standard version of the Mazda 6e features a 68.8 kWh LFP battery pack, which powers a 190 kW electric motor driving the rear wheels. For €2,400 extra, you have a long-range version with an 80 kWh NMC battery pack, coupled to a 180 kW version of the same motor.
This doesn’t make much difference in performance, both have a maximum speed electronically limited to 175 kph and sprint to 100 kph in less than 8 seconds (7.6 and 7.8 seconds, respectively), and also, the difference in driving range is not as significant as expected, 479 km compared to 552 km for the long-range.
The smaller LFP battery supports a significantly higher fast-charging maximum of 165 kW, compared to the 90 kW of the long-range version. With the relatively good charging infrastructure in Belgium, we doubt that the extra money for the long-range is a sensible investment. DC charging from 30% to 80% takes 15 minutes in the standard version and 35 minutes in the long-range version, quite a difference.
Wellbeing a priority
Sporty drivers will criticize the lack of ‘oomph’ in this sedan, but on normal roads and at legal speeds (also in Germany, where we drove the car in the neighborhood of Mazda’s European HQ in Leverkusen), the car is perfectly fit to procure an alert and spirited drive.
The excellent weight distribution for a rear-wheel drive (47/53%) and the low center of gravity (thanks to the 480 kg battery pack) make this Mazda even fun to drive on more twisty roads without the car becoming too edgy when pushed.
But Mazda surely isn’t aiming at the sporty driver. The Mazda 6 enthusiast has always been somebody who prefers wellbeing to sportiness, a high comfort level to aggressive road behavior. The elegance of the typical Mazda ‘Kodo’ design culminates in the exterior lines of this sedan and the design purity of its interior. This feeling. That’s what the typical Mazda 6 customers have always wanted, the manufacturer stresses.
A slight false note may be the connectivity interface. The new 6 features the largest infotainment screen that Mazda has ever offered, and it clearly originates from the Chinese partner. All physical buttons have been eliminated, and everything is centered on this central screen.
Mazda engineers have done their utmost to make it as clear and straightforward as possible, providing a clear bottom line with programmable shortcuts to the various menus. However, we still advise Mazda dealers to offer an intensive explanation to customers when they collect their new car.
High expectations
The basic version of the Mazda 6e will cost €42,890 in Belgium and will be reduced by an additional €1,500 when a takeover premium is applied. The difference between Takumi and Takumi Plus amounts to €1,950, and, as already mentioned, the larger battery costs an additional €2,400.
These are very sharp prices for this enjoyable, roomy, nice-looking, and practical sedan, so the Mazda people have high expectations. Apart from their original and loyal individual clients, Mazda is now also targeting the professional side of the market. The starting price (with a 10% discount) for a professional lease is fixed at €28,892 (VAT not included).
It’s a pity that the estate version won’t be available, which has been a bestseller for a long time. Mazda Belux aims to sell approximately 1,000 units per year, whereas in Europe, the company targets 25,000 units.
Most likely, this Mazda sedan will be joined by a fully electric SUV, the CX-6e. We previously discussed it, and it will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the electric fleet.
Examining Mazda’s latest sales figures in Belgium, it is clear that they need new products. The popular CX-5 SUV has now completely sold out, and Mazda 2 sales have decreased significantly since the only version left is the hybrid car, which Mazda shares with Toyota and is, in fact, a slightly rebadged Yaris.
The new CX-5 is due at the beginning of next year, but if Mazda wants to grow in Belgium and Europe, the new electric models (6e and CX-6e) better be a hit. The Mazda 6e undoubtedly deserves it.
