Bold Mazda CX-6e eyes Tesla Model Y ahead of UK arrival
Mazda has revealed its all-electric CX-6e SUV at the Brussels Motor Show ahead of its UK debut at the end of 2026.
In a radical departure from the past, the CX-6e leans heavily into the tech side of things courtesy of its “smart cockpit” – this includes a massive 26-inch infotainment screen running the width of the dashboard, digital wing mirrors, and speakers built into the front headrests.
Most controversial is the total absence of an instrument cluster, which Mazda has ditched in favour of a head-up display.
An all-electric riposte to the CX60 SUV, the CX-6e adopts Mazda’s Kodo ‘Soul of Motion’ design language, which has won it numerous fans over the years. Yet at 4.8m long, 1.9m wide, and 1.6m tall, it’s slightly longer and wider than its internal combustion-engined cousin.
Like the new Mazda 6e saloon, the CX-6e is a joint venture between the Japanese carmaker and Chinese manufacturer Changan to reduce EV development costs. As such, it rides on the same platform as the Changan Deepal S07 and the 6e.
Instead of being built at Mazda’s Japanese Hiroshima plant, the CX-6e is built on the same production line as the Deepal S07 and the Mazda 6e in Nanjing, China.
Ahead of hitting the UK market, the Mazda CX-6e will go on sale in mainland Europe midway through this year. While UK pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed, Euro-spec cars come with a rear-mounted 255bhp motor and a 78kWh battery offering a range of around 300 miles.
For comparison, the Tesla Model Y offers up to 372 miles of range on a single charge in Long Range guise, while other rivals such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Kia EV5 have a maximum range of up to 337 and 329 miles, respectively.
Despite its initial reluctance to electrification, Mazda plans to have EVs make up anywhere from 25 to 40% of its line-up by 2030. As well as the Mazda6e and CX-6e, Mazda is expected to announce an all-electric replacement for its Mazda 2 supermini to rival the likes of the Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval.
