Electric passenger cars may not sell as well as electric SUVs, but the Mazda 6e is still set to shake up the market.
Mazda Australia has confirmed pricing for the new Mazda 6e, a mid-size liftback developed and built by the Changan Mazda joint venture in China, ahead of deliveries commencing in July 2026.
The Mazda 6e had been tipped to start under $55,000, but the Japanese brand has now confirmed it will slide in under $50,000 before on-roads.
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The range will open at $49,990 before on-road costs for the base GT, undercutting the base Premium RWD version of the Tesla Model 3 that leads this segment in sales. The entry-level Tesla is priced at $54,900 before on-roads.
The Mazda 6e GT also undercuts the MG IM5 Premium ($60,990 drive-away) and matches the Kia EV4 Air. It is, however, more expensive than the BYD Seal Dynamic ($46,990 plus on-roads).
All Australian-market Mazda 6e liftbacks use a 190kW/290Nm rear-mounted electric motor and a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, giving it 560km of electric range under the WLTP cycle and energy consumption of 15.9kWh/100km.
Mazda says the new EV can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in as little as 15 minutes using a DC fast-charger.
In previous testing of the Mazda 6e, CarExpert recorded a 0-100km/h time of 7.35 seconds.
Standard equipment includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 14-speaker Sony sound system, head-up display, and heated and ventilated front seats.
A black interior is standard, although a Warm Beige colourway is a $1000 option.
The Atenza is priced at $52,990 before on-roads and adds tan leather and synthetic suede seat trim with quilted stitching, plus tan synthetic suede trim on the dashboard and doors, and a two-tone black and leather steering wheel.
The first 300 customers who pre-order a Mazda 6e GT will get a free upgrade to the top-spec Atenza.
The Mazda 6e is the first model from the Japanese brand in Australia to offer a Bluetooth key, and its Mazda 6e app allows for remote adjustment of the climate control, windows and locks, among other functions.
Measuring 4921mm long, 1890mm wide and 1485mm tall on a 2895mm wheelbase, the Mazda 6e is 56mm longer, 50mm wider and 5mm taller than the old Mazda 6 sedan on a 65mm longer wheelbase.
It may be the first Chinese-built and engineered Mazda sold in Australia, but it will soon be followed by the Mazda CX-6e.
Also sharing its platform with vehicles from Changan’s Deepal brand, the CX-6e mid-size electric SUV is due to arrive here later this year.
It also features a 190kW/290Nm rear-mounted electric motor and 78kWh battery, though range drops to 483km because of its more upright – though still sleek – SUV body.
The Mazda 6e and CX-6e combined will give the Japanese brand a pair of direct competitors for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. The brand currently doesn’t offer any EVs in Australia, after withdrawing the underwhelming MX-30 small SUV in 2023.