Battery size: 69 - 80kWh
Miles per kWh: 4.3
E-Rating™: A+
Max charge rate: 200kW
Range: 299 - 345miles
Do you want to hear how to win bets like Mazda? Well, it’s simple. Rather than risk everything on one horse, all you need to do is place a bet on all of the runners! That way you are guaranteed a win! Genius eh?
For Mazda is means the company has every base covered rather than choose one technology. It makes petrols, diesels, hybrids, plug in hybrids and even range extenders. It is even ploughing ahead with two types of petrol engine – piston and rotary.
That way it can’t really lose I suppose, although I wonder if there are fights in the R&D centre canteen every lunch time.
This new 6 will be available with pure electric, PHEV and range extender powertrains, although only the EV is confirmed for the UK at the moment.To help spread the cost of its bets, the 6e is made in collaboration with a Chinese company called Changan, who calls its version the Deepal SL03. I guess 6e sounds a bit more, er, sexy?
Range, Battery and Charging
The basic standard range model has a 258PS motor powering the back wheels wired to a 68.9kWh LFP battery, which gives a range of 299 miles. That’s respectable, if not exceptional in terms of the total, although the efficiency of 4.34m/kWh is impressive.
The 165kW charging peak is at the higher end for this type of car too, allowing recharges from 10% to 80% in approximately 25 minutes . It means 150 miles of range can be added in just over 15 minutes. But an 11kW AC figure is disappointing – we really like 22k.
There is longer range model too, but the figures are a bit odd. It uses a lithium ion battery with a 80kWh capacity which gives a 345 mile range. But you have to sacrifice a few horsepower as it only has 244PS.
That’s most unusual, as most electric cars have more power on the bigger battery models. Mazda told me it’s because the LFP battery can supply more power without risk of overheating. It also means the DC charging is MUCH slower - less than half the speed at just 90 kW, which means a 10% to 80% top up will take approximately 45 minutes. That's slower than a Corsa.
With less power, performance and a slower charging speed you will have to really need the extra 46 miles of range to make it worthwhile choosing the long range car, especially as it will be more expensive too.
Practicality & Boot Space
At 4921mm long and 1890 mm wide, the Mazda is a big car - that's 200mm longer than a Tesla Model 3 and just a fraction smaller than a Volkswagen ID.7. That means there is a decent amount of space for passengers inside. As usual in an EV, the rear seat comfort is a little compromised by the high floor, but it's never going to be a real issue unless you've got very long legs.
Boot space? After initially telling a figure of 330 litres, Mazda finally got out the measuring tapes and have come up with a figure of 466 litres. While smaller than an ID.7, it's usefully larger than those smaller rivals. Although the 6e's boot is relatively shallow, it goes deep horizontally - and there is a 72 litre frunk too. Mazda will even sell you a handy basket to fit in the frunk to make it easy to lift stuff out.
Interior and Technology
The inside of the 6e is where the Mazda gets more interesting and lifted above the mainstream rivals. I think it is nicer inside than a lot of the premium rivals, with some attractive and interesting materials such as suede-like trim on the doors which make it feel like your favourite slippers.
A full length panoramic roof is also standard on all models, adding light and headroom.
There's a 14.6” screen which might not have many buttons, but it does have gesture control, which seems like an excellent new way to humiliate yourself in front of your passengers. So, for example, if you giving a v sign it will answer an incoming phone call. Putting your fingers on your lips like a nursery school teacher will mute the music, or giving a thumbs up will like a song on your playlist.
There’s an augmented reality head up display too, with arrows for the sat nav overlaid over the road you can see out of the windscreen, and there’s ever a ‘snow mode’ which makes the graphics blue instead of white so you can see them in wintery weather.
But there are a few oddities. For example, many owners will be freaked out that controls for the wipers and headlamps are buried in the touchscreen. I must admit I was a bit, but perhaps I'm just old fashioned and don't think the auto settings can be relied upon in every situation.
Motors and performance
The standard range Mazda 6e is (unusually) the more powerful and faster, with 258PS of maximum power and 320 Nm of torque to the rear wheels. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes 7.6 seconds. The Long Range has 245 PS of power and the same 320 Nm of torque, giving a 0 to 62 mph time of 7.8 seconds. I drove the Standard Range and it feels perfectly fast enough, even on a German Autobahn. It doesn't have the same breathtaking acceleration as a twin motor Tesla, but it never leaves you wanting for more in most situations.
The engineers say it has been built to 'feel like a Mazda', which means it is sportier than average, with "an intuitive driving experience and Mazda’s distinctive responsiveness". For the main part I'd agree - it has near perfect front-to-rear weight distribution, rear-wheel drive and multi-link rear suspension which means the car rides and handles well. The steering has a slightly odd feel around the dead ahead but is otherwise nicely weighted.
The electric rear spoiler deploys automatically at 90 km/h (56mph) and can also be operated manually to increase downforce - although we are not sure how much difference it will make at normal driving speeds.
Verdict
It might not look like the most exciting new electric car, but the Mazda is sleek, spacious and efficient too. It has some of the fun feel of an MX-5 to drive too. If the 6e was launched tomorrow it might well be seen as a winner, and would doubtless grab some company buyers who want a businesslike car which makes a decent alternative to a Tesla Model 3 or the ubiquitous SUVs. It's a car I liked more than I thought I would.
But in the UK we won’t get this car until 2026, and the market is moving fast. Will it still look competitive then? That depends on price - let's hope Mazda gets it right.
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