Mazda 6e in the test: That seems Chinese to us
The Mazda 6e is a really stylish electric sedan at a fair price and we actually really like it. That is, except when it's very frosty.
To be different from others: Mazda has traditionally had plenty of success with this. With the 6e, this should now also work electrically. Others are focusing on an electric SUV first. However, Mazda is launching the 6e before the CX-6e. In other words, a genuine mid-size saloon, only electric. The 4.92-metre-long 6e is available with 190 kW/258 hp, 69 kWh and a range of 479 kilometers or 180 kW/245 hp, 80 kWh and 552 kilometers, each with rear-wheel drive. We test the 69 kWh version. First impression: Wow, it's really stylish!
Extremely tastefully furnished
And that's exactly how it is furnished. There is plenty of space in the back - and solidity in the front: super-comfortable seats, good visibility, attractive and high-quality materials. A harmonious feel-good car. On the road too: the 6e is no rocket, but it is quiet, silky and superior. And drives on the comfortable side: it corners nimbly, but is more of a very pleasant glider that always has fine suspension, except when driving slowly in the city. And: the load compartment is large enough and very practical thanks to the tailgate, and there is a compartment (e.g. for charging cables) under the hood at the front.
Windshield wipers via touchscreen
Beautiful, very beautiful indeed. Then it drizzles. Windshield wiper lever? None, the wiper is operated by touchscreen. Never mind, there's an automatic function. But it doesn't wipe often enough in the drizzle. So switch to continuous operation? Only if you assign it to a steering wheel button. Or just via the screen - which is very distracting. The attention assistant promptly complains, and rightly so. In the end, we end up wiping manually in the drizzle by clicking the steering lever button for washing or wiping once. Sorry, progress is different. There are a lot of good things, such as a head-up display or rapid seat heating. But there is also a voice assistance system that is too cheeky and only rarely helpful, windows that mist up in frosty weather despite the automatic air conditioning's «Auto» mode (so that we have to keep switching to defrost) or a bitchy automatic dimming system. And something like this from Mazda in Japan? That seems pretty Chinese to us. And it is: the 6e is a brother model of the Changan Deepal SL03 from the Chinese joint venture Mazda-Changan.
Winter takes its toll
At the time of testing, there was permafrost, which resulted in a rather meagre range. Out of the official 479, we had a range of 279 to 335, an average of 313 kilometers - not much for a new electric car, even if it would easily be over 400 kilometers without frost. We also never reach the maximum charging capacity of 165 kW (from 10 to 80 percent in 24 minutes). Unfortunately, that doesn't exactly inspire confidence in e-mobility. It's a shame, because with a great look, fine driving and lots of equipment starting at a really fair 43,600 francs, the 6e would be well on its way.
Expert opinion
Mazda 6e EV 258 «Takumi»
The 6e is a stylish, dignified, spacious, pleasant and affordable sedan for an electric car in this league. Unfortunately, its short winter range and operating weaknesses tarnish the picture somewhat.
Advantages
+ solid interior
+ Comfort-oriented chassis
+ harmonic e-drive
Disadvantages
- Low winter range
- Operating weaknesses
