While the venerable Mazda6 may be on its way out, in Europe at least, it will survive in all-electric form.
After more than two decades on Australian roads, the Mazda6 is set to exit Mazda Australia’s model range as the company shifts its focus toward electrification and evolving powertrain solutions. The company has officially ceased production of the Mazda6 for the Australian market, marking the end of an era.
Nearly 150,000 units of the Mazda6 have sold in Australia since it debuted locally in 2002. The model’s peak sales year came in 2005, when almost 15,000 units were delivered to Australian customers.
The company says that a healthy supply of new Mazda6 models remains available across all grades at Mazda dealerships nationwide currently with the range starting with the G25 Sport model at $37,990 driveaway and rising to a 20th Anniversary model at $55,649. While the venerable Mazda6 may be on its way out, in Europe at least, it will survive in all-electric form.
Revealed in January at the Brussels Motor Show, the battery-electric Mazda6e – a model known as the EZ-6 in China where it was developed with Mazda’s Chinese partner Changan – is a sleek piece of work, designed with a fastback saloon profile, and will first launch in left-hand drive European markets later this year. It is expected to be available in the right-hand drive UK market in the first half of 2026, giving some hope that it may make it to Australia at some point.
The Mazda6e offers two powertrain options:
- a 68.8kWh battery set-up provides up to 483km of range, 200kW DC fast charging, and can, Mazda says, charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. It produces 190kW and can sprint to 100km/h
in 7.6 seconds. - 80kWh battery set-up extends range to 555km, and this model produces 180kW reaches 100km/h in 7.8 seconds. DC rapid charging means a 10 to 80 percent charge in 45 minutes.
Both versions deliver 320Nm of torque with a rear-wheel-drive layout.
Key design features include frameless doors and integrated door handles; signature lighting, including a dynamic illuminated wing grille that pulses when charging; aerodynamic 19-inch alloy wheels; electronically extendable rear spoiler; distinctive Mazda lettering replacing the traditional badge at the rear.
The Mazda6e’s interior features a panoramic roof, a floating centre console and minimalist dashboard. The cabin is available in two trim levels – Takumi: Beige or black artificial leather, or Takumi Plus: Premium tan Nappa leather. Tech features include a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, augmented reality head-up display, and a 330-litre rear boot and 70-litre front boot.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (February 2025)
24 March 2025