Mazda CX-6e (2026 – ) review

The Mazda CX-6e isn’t the most efficient electric SUV in its segment, nor the one with the longest range. The upside is that the LFP battery can be charged to its maximum each time, so you should be able to get close to its official 300-mile range between plugging back in. Its peak DC fast charge rate of 200kW falls short of the competition’s, with a 10 to 80 per cent charge taking 24 minutes. It does 11kW AC charging, while at home a full charge can be done in eight hours, so overnight charging with a preferable off-peak tariff from your utility provider will make this Mazda affordable to run.

The Mazda CX-6e should be a relatively trouble-free ownership experience on account of its electric powertrain, LFP battery and passive suspension. Mazda provides a vehicle warranty that lasts six years or 100,000 miles, while the high-voltage battery gets an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. This is in accordance with cars being kept within the recommended service schedule, which for electric Mazdas is every 12 months or 12,500 miles.

As with all new cars today, the Mazda CX-6e comes equipped with a raft of driver assistance systems, but many of these are overly sensitive. The lane keeping assist is too keen to tug at the steering wheel, while the audible alerts for changes in speed limit zones soon became distracting. Many of these can be switched off or muted, but they reactivate by default. All versions of the CX-6e come with nine airbags, including front and side airbags up front and a central airbag between those seats to prevent occupants from colliding in the event of a crash. In the rear, there are side and curtain airbags. A rear-facing camera can detect children in the rear seats and display that on the front screen for the driver. The system can also sound an alert to ensure young children aren’t accidentally left in the car unattended. The CX-6e has not yet gone through the Euro NCAP safety assessment, but we expect it to achieve a high score as all of Mazda’s models over the last decade have achieved a five-star rating.

There is a good range of movement for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, so most people will find it easy to achieve a comfortable driving position. The front seats are comfortable, and on Takumi Plus versions there are both heated and ventilated seats in the front and rear. Rear passenger space is quite generous, particularly when it comes to legroom. A large panoramic glass roof is standard and adds to the sense of spaciousness in the rear. Sadly, ride quality feels busy and less than smooth, though there are impressively low levels of noise in the cabin even at higher speeds. The price for a spacious rear is a boot volume that isn’t class-leading, but ought to be enough for most people. Its aperture is large, and the load level isn’t too high, while folding the rear seats down boosts cargo volume to 1,434 litres. The CX-6e is also equipped with an 80-litre ‘frunk’ under what would be the bonnet on a car with a conventional engine.

There are just two specification grades for the Mazda CX-6e, and neither will leave you feeling short-changed. All get a significant 26-inch touch-screen display stretching across to the passenger side. The infotainment system isn’t the most intuitive to use but connects via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so it’s easy to use more of your favourite apps from your phone. Due to the design of that screen, there are no traditional instruments directly in front of the driver. Speed and other essential information are in the top corner of the display nearest the steering wheel, but all versions also get a colour head-up display putting most of this information in your eye line. Both the front and rear feature multiple USB-C ports and there is a wireless charging pad in the centre console, too. Other features include side-view cameras in place of traditional door mirrors on Takumi Plus versions. These not only look a bit sci-fi, but they also help to reduce wind noise and drag. The feed from these cameras is relayed onto colour displays on the inner sides of the doors, and this does take some getting used to, as does not being able to alter what you see by moving your head position. The view automatically enlarges when the indicators are activated. Takumi Plus versions also get a digital rearview mirror, providing a wider view of the road behind.

With only one powertrain available you at least don’t suffer the agony of choice offered by some rivals. That said, the performance of the CX-6e is well suited to real-world driving and Mazda isn’t trying to grab headlines with its power outputs. A single electric motor drives the rear wheels through a single-speed automatic gearbox. It produces 258 horsepower, good for a 0-62mph sprint of 7.9 seconds. There are three driving modes, including a Sport setting, but there’s little difference in overall driving experience across the settings. Having the motor placed on the rear axle helps the handling, as the front end only needs to deal with steering and suspension. Drivers can also choose from various levels of energy recuperation. If you need to do some towing, the electric Mazda can pull a braked trailer up to 1,500kg.