Mazda 6e

By working together! In fact, the Mazda6e was developed in collaboration with a Chinese partner. Both brands give their own look to the car and that is why the 6th does not look like yet another anonymous Chinese vehicle. Quite rightly, Mazda is sticking to its style called "Kodo", where simplicity and technology provide exciting contrasts. Compared to the previous Mazda6, the 6e has grown slightly, with the increased length creating an even more elegant look.

Space

The "6" has not just grown to keep up with the times. The long wheelbase provides room for large batteries as well as extra interior space. The cabin is built around the driver and therefore head and legroom in the front are good, but room to move is limited. Moreover, the seating position is unusually high. Those who are short will appreciate this and will praise the Mazda6e for its good all-round visibility. Those who are tall will feel like they are not in but on the car and therefore keep trying in vain to lower the seat. Legroom in the rear is good. However, the floor is high and therefore there is little room for rear passengers' feet under the front seats. Headroom in the rear is moderate. The boot, on the other hand, is deep, wide and easily accessible. As if that were not good enough, Mazda also provides a substantial storage space under the bonnet ("frunk").

For the design of the dashboard, Mazda looked at the most innovative brands of the moment and then gave it its own interpretation. To present themselves as modern, new brands choose a minimalist design and "cold" materials. In the Mazda6e too, the number of buttons and levers is minimal as all functions (including wipers, mirror adjustment and driving modes) are controlled via a central display. However, the cabin is still clad in chic materials in warm tones with plenty of decoration. The interior atmosphere is therefore warm and inviting, as might be expected from a Japanese car brand.

Equipment

The US and Chinese competition owes its current lead partly to its smart design. They are "software-driven cars", which means that a lot of functionality can be retrofitted through software updates. This allows them to respond quickly to new developments and stay competitive. Thanks to its Chinese friends, the same now applies to Mazda. The hardware is ample (Qualcomm 8155 processor, 12 GB memory, 128 GB storage) and Mazda provides its own operating system. This way, the car is future-proof and Mazda is not dependent on external parties. It also means that improvements and even new features can be added throughout the life of the car.

The Mazda6e's infotainment system offers all the features that can be expected from a modern car. At the same time, Mazda is thinking about privacy. There is a voice-activated assistant, but this is not true AI. This way, again, no external parties are required and those who still want complex scientific or philosophical questions answered while driving can always turn to their own AI on the smartphone for that. On the contrary, it makes a lot of sense: various functions can be operated by gestures, which turns out to be very handy in practice. A finger in front of the mouth means silence and a fist passes the music.

When it comes to audio, Mazda is also treading a new path. Partner Bose has been swapped for Sony and, as far as Autozine is concerned, this is a big step forward. The sound of the Sony audio system is clean, neutral, clear and very spacious. As such, it can rival audio systems from premium brands!

Electric car

The platform developed by the Japanese-Chinese team will accommodate hybrid and all-electric powertrains. For now, the "6e" is only available as an all-electric car and its Chinese partner is supplying a hybrid variant. There are two combinations of electric motors and batteries, with which Mazda aims to appeal to specific target groups. The 258 hp version with 68 kWh battery can fast charge with 165 kW and is intended for medium-distance travel (range: 479 km). There is also a version with a higher-capacity battery (80 kW) and a slightly less powerful electric motor (245 hp) and a lower charging rate (90 kW). That combination makes for a much longer range of 552 km. Those who use the car intensively and make regular long trips would be wise to opt for the fastest-charging version. The 245 hp / 80 kW version lends itself to occasional charging, followed by very long drives until the next charging stop.

Because so much can be set via the central display, the character of the car depends heavily on the settings chosen. The 6e can respond aggressively to the throttle or, on the contrary, be driven in an amiable manner like a combustion engine car. For this test, the 258 hp variant was driven and it is eager to acceleratie. But it stops there. The Mazda6e can't really deliver a big punch and, on the contrary, betrays its high weight when more is demanded. After a day's driving, test consumption came to 15 kWh per 100 km, which is average for a car of this size.

Driving characteristics

Mazda sets itself apart with its driving characteristics, where the driver and the mechanics are said to be one. Traditional models live up to that, but not this computer on wheels. It is noticeable that the electronics are involved in every aspect of operation, making the driver less concerned with driving and more negotiating with the computer. This patronisation is partly due to the many safety systems, as Mazda has interpreted European rules on driver assistance very strictly. Fortunately, these systems can be switched off and then the Mazda6e gives a less artificial feel.

Because of the high seating position, the experience is also different. This is because the 6e seems to tilt over more than other low cars. However, this is a matter of getting used to and the longer the test drive took, the more confident the car felt. The Mazda6e lends itself to a firm hand and a sporty driving style. On the long haul, this electric business car charms with quietness and comfort.

Conclusion

Mazda has made a fresh start with the 6e. It has not only looked closely at the competition, but is even working with a Chinese partner for the successor to the Mazda6. In doing so, Mazda has always looked closely at where it was technically deficient and thus could use help (battery technology, infotainment) and where it is strong and should continue to follow its own direction (design, ergonomics, finish quality, driving characteristics).

This will allow Mazda to offer a new mid-size company car short term and also at competitive prices. The collaboration also means that Mazda has had to make compromises. The driving characteristics are not those of a traditional Mazda, but those of a somewhat clunky electric car. The electronics and many safety features are also too prominent and interfere with driving pleasure.

Still, the final product is very thoughtful. By sticking to its low build, the Mazda6e offers many advantages over an SUV: lower fuel consumption, more elegant looks and better dynamics. In terms of (luggage) space and towing capacity, the Mazda6e is not inferior to the average SUV. In short: the Mazda6e offers the modern technology of the competition complemented by Mazda's traditional craftsmanship.