2026 Mazda CX-6e revealed: new electric SUV offers 300-mile range and high-tech interior
Mazda’s latest addition to its lineup will be an all-electric SUV taking on the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y...
On sale October Price from £45,000 (est)
The Japanese bullet train was invented with the intention of simplifying long-distance travel with the use of super-modern technology – and these same values might have been in the minds of designers when they thought up the new Mazda CX-6e SUV.
Indeed, the new CX-6e will arrive as an all-electric equivalent to Mazda’s CX-60 combustion SUV, and it’ll take on the likes of the Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y when it arrives later this year.
The CX-6e will be available exclusively with all-electric power, using a 78kWh battery that promises an official range of up to 301 miles. That’s not quite as far as the Skoda Enyaq 85, which can officially manage 360 miles on a single charge, or the 77kWh Audi Q4 e-tron, which can travel up to 337 miles.
If you opt for top-spec Takumi Plus trim, which receives larger wheels, the range drops slightly to 291 miles.
That battery powers a rear-mounted electric motor pumping out 255bhp, allowing the CX-6e to sprint from 0-62mph in 7.9sec. That’s marginally quicker than an entry-level Enyaq, but it’s some way off all versions of the rapid Tesla Model Y.
In terms of charging, the CX-6e can facilitate speeds of up to 165kW – the same as its Mazda 6e sibling – meaning a 10-80% top-up should take 24 minutes. You’ll find that the Q4 e-tron and Enyaq are in a similar ballpark, but most versions of the Model Y can charge at up to 250kW (and they benefit from full access to Tesla’s Supercharger network).
In China, the CX-6e (known locally as the EZ-60) is also offered with a range-extender plug-in hybrid option. It receives a 1.5-litre petrol engine which acts as a generator for a 31.7kWh battery, and can reportedly travel up to 621 miles with both its engine and battery combined. However, Mazda stated it currently has no plans to bring this power option to the UK; Mazda used to offer its MX-30 SUV with a similar range-extender power option, but it has recently been taken off sale.
Outside, the CX-6e looks slightly more angular than the new 6e, but it dons some similar design cues, including thin LED daytime running lights and a lower grille outlined with LED lighting. It also gets a sporty sloping roofline.
Inside you’ll find a 26in infotainment touchscreen dominating the width of the dashboard, which has a dual-split layout designed for both driver and front passenger use. It sits alongside a head-up display that replaces a traditional driver’s display, showing range and speed information. There’s also a small rear touchscreen that rear passengers can use to adjust climate control, the panoramic sunroof and their seats.
We'll have to wait until we drive the car to test how effective this screen-heavy interior is, but it's no secret that we love the physical buttons on other Mazda models, especially the rotary dial for controlling the infotainment. According to Mazda, though, this is very unlikely to make an appearance on future models.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring come as standard on the CX-6e, as well as a 23-speaker sound system, including speakers integrated into the front-seat headrests. There’s also a voice recognition system and ‘gesture control’, which allows drivers to issue commands using physical signals. For example, holding up the ‘okay’ signal to an in-car camera should activate the sat-nav to guide you home, while waving left or right plays a new song.
On top-spec versions of the CX-6e, traditional side mirrors have been replaced by cameras that display footage on screens mounted on the doors, with the digital rear-view mirror using a similar system – though drivers can switch to a traditional glass mirror if they prefer.
In terms of interior space, the CX-6e has slightly larger dimensions – and therefore should be roomier – up front than its CX-60 sibling, while rear leg room is around the same. That’s no bad thing, because we find the CX-60 to have plenty of room for four adults to get comfortable.
With 468 litres of boot space, the CX-6e falls short of most rivals, including the Kia EV6, Q4 e-tron and Enyaq. However, unlike some of those models, it does receive an 80-litre ‘frunk’ space under the bonnet.
Two trim levels will be available with the CX-6e – Takumi and Takumi Plus. Full specifications aren’t yet revealed, but entry-level equipment includes 19in alloy wheels, the head-up display, keyless entry and heated and ventilated front seats. Meanwhile, top-spec models receive 21in alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front and rear seats and digital side and rear-view mirrors.
The Mazda CX-6e is due to arrive in the UK in October. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but we’d expect them to start at around £45,000. That would make it slightly pricier than an equivalent Enyaq and Model Y, but it would undercut similar versions of the Q4 e-tron.
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