The Mazda 6 has made its return, although this time it’s fully electric and built in China. Photo: Patrick Jackson.
About a decade ago, the Tesla name was almost synonymous with electric vehicles – an almost genericised term on par with Hoover, Band-Aid, or Velcro. After all, a Tesla was about the only EV you could buy, or at least might actually want to own.
Now, in 2026, the landscape is vastly different. The Australian Automobile Association reports that during Q2 2026, there were more EVs sold in the ACT (2060) than internal combustion engine (1514), hybrid (864) or plug-in hybrid (694) vehicles – the first jurisdiction in which this has been the case.
This has, of course, been fuelled by a slew of new entrants into the market. Combine that with the penchant for controversy that Tesla’s CEO likes to court, and it’s paved the way for the Model 3 monopoly to be given a good challenge.
The newest entrant into this space wears a familiar name but couldn’t be more different from its predecessor.
You’ll all be familiar with the Mazda 6, the front-wheel drive sedan (or wagon) best known for playing second fiddle to the Toyota Camry.
Now, the name is back… sort of. Meet the Mazda 6e – a Chinese-built, rear-wheel drive sedan that’s the best rival to the Model 3 yet.
What is it?
Built in Nanjing by Changan Mazda, a joint venture between the ‘Zoom-Zoom’ company and the outfit behind Deepal, the 6e half-fulfils rumours that have swirled for some time.
Ever since Mazda launched its rear-wheel drive ‘Large Architecture’ platform in the likes of the CX-60, there were constant rumours from Japan of a straight-six, rear-wheel drive sedan based on that platform.
The 6e might well be that rear-drive saloon – it’s technically a liftback, not a sedan – but it’s obviously all-electric, and based on the Deepal L07 underneath. That’s probably a good thing, as Mazda’s own EV attempt, the MX-30, wasn’t particularly successful.
A single electric motor on the rear axle delivers 190kW and 290Nm, with power drawn from a 78kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery back.
For comparison, the Tesla Model 3 serves up 208kW/350Nm with a 62.5kWh battery in RWD form or 82kWh for the Long Range RWD. The BYD Seal sits either side of the Mazda’s performance and battery figures in Dynamic or Premium guise.
Where the Mazda has the real edge is when it comes to pricing. You might expect that with the Japanese brand’s premium push it would be the dearer option, but pricing starts at $49,990 before-on road costs for the GT model, while this kitted-out Atenza is only $52,990.
For comparison, a Model 3 Premium RWD would ask for $54,900 and a Premium Long Range RWD an even higher $61,900 plus on-roads.
Really, the 6e GT is all you’ll need. It packs everything including a 14.6-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an augmented reality head-up display, a 14-speaker Sony sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and three-zone climate control among other goodies.
Stepping up to this Atenza model adds tan leather and synthetic suede seats with quilted stitching, along with a two-tone steering wheel and dashboard trim to match.
Nice, but unnecessary. Save yourself the $3000. They both look identical on the outside, and very stylish at that, so no one will notice the difference.
Stepping up to the Atenza gets you this two-tone tan and black interior, complete with faux suede seats, although you might as well stick with the leather-lined GT model. Photo: Patrick Jackson.
What’s it like to live with?
Much like a Tesla, the Mazda 6e doesn’t require a physical key to access – although at least Mazda will still give you one, rather than a silly keycard like you’d have for a hotel room.
Instead, Mazda has created a specific 6e phone app. Just like Tesla’s equivalent, you can access the car, turn on the air con or steering wheel warmer, and even open the windows on a hot day to vent it out.
Once you’re inside, you’ll quickly forget that this car wasn’t the product of Mazda’s own Hiroshima factory.
The quality of the materials is right up to the mark of any other Mazda product, meaning it feels remarkably premium, and the fit and finish is very close to the same mark. It even smells the same as any other Mazda inside.
The only real difference is that the interface on its various screens is totally unlike Mazda’s usual system. Rather than use a rotary dial for controlling it, everything is housed inside the touchscreen.
There are so many menus you need to go through to find some features that you’ll feel like you’ve earned a computer science degree by the end of it.
On the road, though, the 6e makes many of those worries melt away. It’s a very pleasant thing to drive.
Rather than the explosive power delivery early EVs prioritised, it feels as though the power swells and builds in the 6e. It feels incredibly planted and well-insulated at speed, so you’ll want to watch that speed readout as it builds quicker than you expect on the open road.
While Mazda claims that the 6e continues to embody its ‘Jinba-Ittai’ driving dynamics, it isn’t quite the finished article in this sense. Sure, the ride quality is supple and it holds on decently through the corners, but it lacks the usual crispness that you might expect from a Mazda.
Particularly in a rear-drive saloon from a brand known for building good driver’s cars, that extra ‘edge’ would be appreciated.
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What is impressive, though, is how energy efficient it is. After 516km of driving this one, I saw a return of 14.5kWh/100km.
That’s better than its 15.9kWh/100km claim, and almost identical to the 14.3kWh/100km I’ve seen in a Model 3 on the same roads – and that is one of the most efficient EVs I’ve personally tested.
At that rate, it’s enough for a theoretical 537km on a single charge. I only stopped for a quick electric top-up once during my time with it, and simply didn’t worry about range at all.
The verdict
There’s a reason so many people have bought a Tesla Model 3 over the years, as it’s always been the sensible electric sedan option.
But now, the Mazda 6e gives plenty of reasons why you might want to look away from Tesla or any other newcomers and stick with a legacy brand instead.
It’s brimming with kit, beautifully appointed, pleasant to drive, has excellent real-world range, and it’s very good value compared to its main rivals.
There’s also something to be said for Mazda having a long-established presence in Australia. You probably know where your nearest Mazda dealership is, and you know they’re unlikely to go out of business anytime soon.
If an EV purchase is on the cards for you, like it clearly is for the majority of new-car-buying Canberrans, this one should definitely be on the list to look at.
2026 Mazda 6e Atenza
- $52,990 before on-road costs
- Single electric motor, 190kW / 290Nm
- Single-speed reduction gear, rear-wheel drive
- 15.9kWh per 100km (claimed), 78kWh LFP battery
- 560km driving range (WLTP claim)
- 2015kg kerb weight
Thanks to Mazda Australia for providing this vehicle for testing. Region has no commercial arrangement with Mazda Australia.
