Mazda 6e review

• Only one colour for top-spec interior
• Not simple to vary regen levels
• ADAS a touch sensitive

Exterior & Design of the 2026 Mazda6e

• Hatchback is more practical than a saloon
• Nice proportions
• Not a fussy design

There has been a Mazda6 of sorts for tdecades, so it has become an important pillar in the company's model line-up. While the segment is diminishing in popularity, it's refreshing to see what Mazda has done to reinvent this model as the 6e. Other than its overall size and silhouette, there's nothing linking the electric car to its predecessor. The lines are less curvaceous than what has gone before, and the bodywork is tauter to present a more modern look.

At 4.9 metres in length, the 6e has presence even though it's relatively low slung, with the roof peaking at 1.4 metres tall. The 6e's notable 2.1-metre width (including its door mirrors) is emphasised by a broad grille panel that is sculpted by illuminated elements and gloss black sections.

It's largely for show as the air intake is set much lower, below and around the front registration plate. The light elements perform an animation on unlocking and also indicate when the battery is charging.

As is the case with many electric cars, the Mazda6e's design is such that it cuts through the air more cleanly to further its range, so there are many of the usual design traits. Aero-optimised 19-inch alloy wheel designs accompany door handles that sit flush with the bodywork when locked, for example, and the short rear has an almost vertical profile.

There is an active spoiler on the tailgate that activates at 90km/h and drops back down automatically below 50km/h, while the driver can activate it manually too.

The flanks carry subtle contouring to the sheet metal, less obvious than what we usually see from Mazda's signature 'Kodo' design language.

The key exterior dimensions for the Mazda6e are:

Length:

4,921mm

Width:

1,890mm (2,156mm including mirrors)

Height:

1,491mm

Wheelbase:

2,895mm

Interior, Practicality, Tech & Safety of the 2026 Mazda6e

• Premium look and feel
• Good space in the rear seats
• Lack of physical buttons

In recent years, Mazda has upped its interior design game both aesthetically and with high material quality. Many still don't classify Mazda as a premium brand, but interiors such as those in the CX-60 put the Japanese manufacturer on par with what you would expect to find from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

All this is true of the Mazda6e, though it does without the practical physical switchgear of its predecessors, which is a shame. The tech looks impressive, but we'd like a few more traditional buttons.

The configurable 10.2-inch instrument panel is very much standard fare these days, and this is supported by a colour head-up display. Across both, the information is laid out in an easy-to-read style.

The steering wheel gets a distinctly flat bottom and is a decent size and shape, with the traditional Mazda winged emblem at the centre.

Most of the functions on the steering wheel's two spokes are housed within touch-sensitive pads with buttons at their centres. These surfaces are generously sized, so we expect most owners to get used to them over time. While they don't work quite as well as physical buttons, they're not the worst application of this kind of technique we've experienced.

Wiper and lighting functions are controlled by a column stalk on the left, and drive selection is done on the right, with a column stalk that looks suspiciously Mercedes-like in origin.

The infotainment is controlled via a hefty 14.6-inch touchscreen. An absence of physical buttons throughout the cabin means that all of the climate settings are done via the screen and also gone is the separate rotary controller of past Mazdas from the centre console.

That means more space between the front seats for storage, plus a ventilated wireless charging pad and two cupholders.

The Mazda6e is capable of reacting to gesture controls from the driver. These are in addition to the built-in digital voice assistant and will allow the driver to adjust audio playback, answer a call or even take a photo via the built-in camera that faces the cabin by using predefined hand gestures.

The Mazda6e is also equipped with the latest in-car safety features, including nine airbags to protect the driver and passengers. An Occupancy Monitoring System uses the interior camera to detect children in the rear seats, and it can project that feed onto the central display.

It will also sound a warning if you leave the car to prevent kids from being accidentally left behind. A front-facing driver's camera continually monitors your actions and uses eye-tracking software to determine if you are paying attention or are becoming drowsy.

The 'mono-form' seats are comfortable to sit in and look good, and we do like how the driver's seat electrically slides back to make ingress and egress that bit easier. Despite there being a battery sandwiched into the floor, you don't feel as if you sit especially high in the cabin, and headroom is generous.

There's equally positive news for those sitting in the Mazda6e's rear as both legroom and headroom are in strong supply. The long wheelbase provides good space to stretch out, even if you're sitting behind a tall driver, though we do wish there were a little more room underneath the front seats for feet to go.

On Takumi Plus models and above, rear passengers get a touchscreen on the back of the centre console to adjust climate settings, move the passenger seat forward (if it's unoccupied) and operate the electric sunshade for the glass roof.

There is enough space for three adults to sit in the rear, but as is often the case, the middle seat is narrower, and it also loses out slightly on legroom due to the design of the centre console.

If the middle seat isn't in use, a fold-down armrest is available. Both of the outer rear seats contain ISOFIX child seat anchor points.

Boot space in the Mazda6e is rated at 466 litres, but if you need more, the rear seats can fold down, increasing cargo volume to 1,074 litres. Furthermore, there are 72 litres of storage available in the frunk under the bonnet up front.

Performance of the 2026 Mazda6e

• Pleasant to drive
• One 258hp electric motor
• Rear-drive layout is balanced

There's just one powertrain offered in the Mazda6 in Ireland. This comes with a motor producing up to 258hp and 290Nm while the WLTP driving range is quoted as 552 kilometres thanks to the 78kWh battery pack (77kWh of which is usable).

Mazda quotes a 200kW peak for DC charging, while AC charging at up to 11kW is possible on a three-phase outlet.

On the road, the Mazda does ride quite nicely and provides a good level of feedback and feel to the driver. With a MacPherson strut setup on the front axle and a multi-link arrangement on the rear, the 6e feels composed through faster bends, demonstrating good levels of body control without feeling overly stiff or as if it's fighting against its own weight.

The 6e's steering has a direct feel with a reasonable amount of weighting to it if you choose the Sport driving mode, so that's a positive for those who like to feel a bit more of a connection to the car. It's no MX-5, of course, but it's pleasing to steer a car such as this that isn't devoid of feel.

The performance is smoothly delivered, and a sense of modesty is evident, as Mazda chooses not to provide the 6e with excessive levels of acceleration. It doesn't feel lacking either, as it's brisk to get away from a standstill, and there's sufficient roll-on acceleration when required, but it won't strain anyone's neck muscles.

The cabin is well insulated with regard to road and wind noise, and there are no augmented sounds piped inside to replicate an engine's noise.

Drivers can choose between Normal, Sport and Individual modes, which alter the acceleration, steering weighting and intensity of the energy recuperation. There are four levels of brake energy regeneration: low, standard, medium and strong, but these can only be adjusted via the touchscreen as there are no paddles behind the steering wheel - and only in the Individual mode.

Running costs of the 2026 Mazda6e

• Fast DC charging always comes at a cost
• Good efficiency at all times
• Low motor tax as with all EVs

We expect the Mazda6e to be a relatively economical car to run. During our time in the car, it returned low energy consumption that was close to the official 15.9kWh/100km figure. The fast charging rate may make it more tempting to use public rapid chargers, but these cost more than AC or domestic charging. The Mazda6e falls into the lowest rate of annual motor tax due to it being an electric vehicle.

Irish Pricing & Rivals of the 2026 Mazda6e

• Just two specifications
• Pitched as a premium car
• Tempting pricing from €44,260

The Mazda6e is priced from €44,260 including the VRT rebate and SEAI grant applicable at the time of writing. That's for the entry-level Takumi model, which is generously equipped by any measure. The higher-spec Takumi Plus variant is priced at a still-reasonable €46,210.

Rivals include the Volkswagen ID.7 but also models such as the BYD Seal and BMW i4.

Verdict - Should You Buy the 2026 Mazda6e

The Mazda6e is a welcome addition to the electric car segment. It's a significant improvement on what Mazda had previously offered as an electric vehicle. The design is a big selling point, while the interior looks and feels well-made. Not only is it decent to drive, demonstrating a bit more character and driver feedback than some other EVs in the segment, but it also offers credible levels of driving range and good battery options. Not to mention decent real-world efficiency.