Mazda doesn’t do ‘normal’ cars, and their philosophy often defies convention. Made atop the crater left behind from an atom bomb, they’re known for their signature quirkiness, which no doubt sets the Hiroshima brand apart from its rivals… Between its fantastic SKYACTIV engines, gorgeous Kodo design ethos, driver-focused driving dynamics, and a pleasingly human-centric approach to engineering, I do love me a Mazda. However, a new era of electrification beckons, and Mazda, which has been slow to the EV game, aims to leapfrog with the latest Mazda 6e.
On the surface, this sleek and eye-catching five-door hatchback is tailored to European tastes, marrying Mazda’s iconic Kodo aesthetics with a vibe that ought to do well here in Europe. The characteristic flowing lines and poised stance that we’ve come to know and love from some of the other Kodo-inspired Mazdas are present, up front and centre, as is the hatchback shape. It’s designed to be aerodynamic, which is a must in any EV, and it looks like you’d have no problem accessing the boot, either. I’m also keen to learn more about what’s under the sheet metal.
Electrifying Mazda’s Jinba Ittai Concept
The new Mazda 6e could be spec’d with either a 68.8 kWh or an 80.0 kWh lithium battery pack, and while we don’t yet get a confirmed WLTP range figure, the smaller battery is estimated to get up to 300 miles, while the larger option is aiming to reach around 345 miles. That sounds pretty good to me, and equally as exciting to my ears is the Mazda 6e’s powertrain. Based on your choice of battery, you could enjoy either 245 PS or 258 PS of output, though both share a similar torque figure of 320 Nm. These are rather healthy figures for a mid-sized EV saloon.
Moreover, besides that instantaneous torque that you get from an electric motor, the all-new Mazda 6e is rear-wheel drive! The Mazda 6e embraces Mazda’s traditional rear-drive balance and its Jinba Ittai ethos when tuning its handling and performance, which should promise a spirited, engaging, and dynamic driving experience. As such, the Mazda 6e’s chassis, steering, and pedal response have been tuned for immediate feedback and intuitive user control, and it even features a multi-link rear suspension and a perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution.
All You Love About Mazda, But In An EV
To help create that feeling of more predictable cornering and a connected sensation, the new Mazda 6e has a handy integrated brake control system that tries to seamlessly blend regular, friction braking, in addition to regenerative braking to top up the battery. Mazda claims that this should smooth out the transition between throttle lift, braking, and cornering, which will bolster ride quality and comfort, on top of maximising energy recovery, but without that very jarring ‘on-off’ feel that you get in less refined regen systems. It even has active aero, too!
Above 60 mph, the rear spoiler activates automatically to increase downforce and to improve your high-speed stability. Elsewhere, there are 3 customisable drive modes that you can fiddle around with to further fine-tune your experience – Normal, Sport, and Individual. To complete this, you also get a minimalistic, modern, driver-focused cabin that looks like it’d be quite a joy to spend time in. Alas, there’s a bit of wait if you want to see it in the flesh, as the new Mazda 6e will appear in Mazda’s UK showrooms in 2026, but I’d definitely put this in my shortlist.
