Mazda6 Goes Rear-Drive… and Electric

There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that, for the first time ever, the sporty Mazda6 has adopted rear-wheel drive as part of a move to a new all-electric powertrain. The bad news is that this Mazda6e is unlikely to reach the U.S.A.

Just launched at Europe’s Brussels Auto Show, the Mazda6e is also known as the EZ-6 in China where the Japanese manufacturer builds it. That presents potentially rising tariffs for China-built cars as a massive barrier to entry for the American market, although having recorded a U.S. sales increase of 31 percent in 2024 without any EVs, Mazda can afford to play a waiting game.

That’s certainly not the case in Europe where governments require manufacturers to ramp up sales of EVs or face hefty fines. Mazda has been struggling to shift the MX-30, its only EV, due to its very limited range of around 100 miles.

The Mazda6e can triple that distance between charges. Even the lower-spec 68.8 kWh battery-equipped car can cover 300 miles, while an 80 kWh version is said to be capable of 345 miles on a charge. Both cars can suck in electricity at up to 200 kW on a DC fast charger.

Mazda always likes to tread its own path and so, unusually, the Mazda6e with the bigger battery actually has a less powerful motor, rated at 244 hp, while the smaller battery offers 258 hp. There’s only a couple of tenths of a second between them when it comes to sprinting from 0-62 mph, however—7.8 vs. 7.6 seconds.

While it’s no Vision Coupe, the Mazda6e is easy enough on the eye with sleek hatchback styling following the brand’s Kodo: Soul of Motion design language. Highlights include frameless doors, recessed door handles and an active rear spoiler, plus some funky lighting front and rear. When the Mazda6e is charging the ‘wings’ on the grille appear to flutter.

The interior benefits from a bright and airy ambience, aided by a panoramic roof and plush materials that include artificial or pukka Nappa leather. The dash is all-digital with a 10.2-inch instrument display and a huge 14.6-inch center touchscreen. Sadly few physical buttons appear to be present.

Mazda Europe has fettled the steering and suspension for European tastes, but whether its U.S. division will get the chance to do the same remains to be seen.