Mazda has been one of the slower manufacturers to electrify their range. The feeling I get is that it believes a range of different forms of powering our vehicles is still very much the way forward. Petrol and even diesel engines are still offered in many of their cars. The MX30 has been the company’s only fully electric offering and now that is only offered as a plug-in hybrid.

However, in the first half of next year we will see the arrival of the all-new, fully electric Mazda6e. As the car is launching already in other markets, the Mazda press office organised for some left-hand drive Swiss registered cars to grace our shores. Eager to take a look, I joined a local media drive day and got behind the wheel too.

The Mazda6e is built on a new platform, created in conjunction with Chinese manufacturer Changan Automobile. The press pack tells me that Mazda’s Kodo ‘Soul of Motion’ design philosophy has played its part in crafting what I think is a very attractive car. Sleek, sporty and especially appealing in Mazda’s signature colour ‘Soul Red’ (as driven) or indeed ‘Melting Copper’.

On offer are two battery configurations:


Standard Model
68.8 kWh battery
258PS electric motor
Range – up to 300 miles
0-62mph in 7.6 seconds
10-80% DC charge in 22 minutes


Long Range Model
80 kWh battery
244PS electric motor
Range – up to 345 miles
0-62mph in 7.8 seconds
10-80% DC charge in 45 minutes


With similar performance figures, you would have to really want the relatively small amount of extra range to buy the bigger battery version, as in so doing you get a considerably slower charging speed.

The Mazda6e’s interior is as comfortable as it looks. The suede-like seat trim is just one of the many high-quality materials used and even though I was sat on the ‘wrong’ side of the car, the driving position was spot on. A full-length panoramic glass roof bathes the cabin in natural light.

Rear passengers will have ample room to spread out, though will find the raised floor typical in electric cars does mean a lack of under thigh support. The boot offers a generous 466 litres of usable space and there is a 72 litre frunk, ideally for storing the charging cables.

As is the way these days, a large central touchscreen controls most major functions and whilst it is simple enough to use at a standstill, altering settings on the move requires too much eye time away from the road for my liking. You can programme one of the steering wheel buttons to act as a shortcut to some important functions (like turning off the lane departure system).

I was able to enjoy a couple of hours behind the wheel on familiar Yorkshire roads and came away impressed. The cabin is suitably hushed and the ride pleasantly yielding. A car to waft along in without a doubt but show the Mazda6e some twisty roads and it does show its sporty side. Performance is ample and should not suffer unduly when loaded up with passengers and luggage.

Obvious rivals for the Mazda6e are perhaps the Volkswagen ID.7 and Tesla Model 3, but until we have firm UK pricing it is hard to be sure. I’m guessing a price of £45,000 + will be needed to put Mazda’s latest car on your driveway, but a high percentage will be company lease cars. It will all be about the monthly payments.

I have always found Mazda’s car to be very appealing and the Mazda6e undoubtedly continues in the same vein. It’s a premium offering and though buyers are increasingly drawn to SUVs, the lower stance and slippery shape of the 6e equates to a better range and more sporting driving dynamics. Expect a more in-depth review next year.