The Mazda EZ-6 is the electric successor to the popular Mazda 6, available in a fully electric version and an extended-range version with a gasoline engine that charges the battery. The maximum range for this Mazda is 1200 km.
The Mazda EZ-6 was developed in China by Changan Mazda, a joint venture company established by Mazda and its Chinese partner Changan. Changan is a Chinese car manufacturer that also owns other automotive brands such as Deepal, Avatr, Changan Ford (50% ownership), and Changan Mazda (50% ownership).
At the end of September, pre-orders were opened in China, with a starting price ranging from $22,800 to $28,550 (20,700 EUR to 26,000 EUR). The Mazda EZ-6 will initially be sold only in China. Still, Mazda's CEO, Masahiro Moro, has announced that this will be Mazda's first global sedan, with plans to make it available in various global markets. The Mazda EZ-6 is expected to be available in Europe in 2025.
The Mazda EZ-6 is based on the Deepal SL03 and L07 models, sharing the same platform. The technology is Chinese, while the design is Mazda's. The Mazda EZ-6 retains Mazda's recognizable design lines, which they call KODO design. It's a sedan but comes in a 5-door version, which adds significant practicality. The car's exterior dimensions are 4,921mm × 1,890mm × 1,485mm (length x width x height), with a wheelbase of 2,895mm. Mazda claims a 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles. The Mazda EZ-6 is equipped with a powered spoiler that deploys at speeds above 90 km/h.
The infotainment screen is 14.6 inches, while the instrument panel measures 10.2 inches. There's also a 50-inch Head-up Display (HuD). The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset controls the car's cockpit systems.
The car's interior looks quite luxurious. All models have leather-covered interior parts, while higher trim versions combine leather and suede. The front "zero gravity" seats can recline almost fully among other equipment. A Sony audio system with 14 speakers and ambient lighting in 64 colors is also available. A full-length panoramic roof is optional.
As mentioned earlier, the Mazda EZ-6 is available as a fully electric vehicle (BEV) or an extended-range electric vehicle (PHEV) with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that charges the battery exclusively.
Mazda EZ-6 EV
The fully electric Mazda EZ-6 has a single electric motor on the rear axle, generating 190 kW (255 horsepower). Buyers can choose between a 56.1 kWh and 68.8 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery, providing a 460 to 600 km range according to the CLTC standard. Charging the battery from 30% to 80% takes 15 minutes. The speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h. Acceleration data is not yet available, but based on Deepal's models equipped with the same motor, we can expect acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about 6.5 seconds.
Mazda EZ-6 EREV (PHEV)
The second version of the electric Mazda is also equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine generating 93 horsepower, which solely charges the battery. In this model, buyers can also choose between the smaller and larger LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery, which provides an electric-only range of 130 to 200 km, sufficient for most daily commutes. Charging the battery from 30% to 80% takes around 20 minutes. The total range with a full charge of electricity and gasoline is an impressive 1200 km for longer trips.
This version of the Mazda EZ-6 is powered by a 160 kW (215 horsepower) electric motor on the rear axle. The speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is expected to be around 7.5 seconds.
Conclusion
Mazda has created an exciting car that we believe could sell very well. The vehicle offers a lot for a little money (in China). It is unknown how much it will cost in Europe or other markets, but the price in Europe will certainly be higher than in China. Considering the prices in China, we believe that Mazda has the potential to offer a competitively-priced model in the European market. The final price will be influenced by high tariffs on Chinese cars in the European Union and the desire for everyone in the supply chain, from the factory to the customer, to earn as much as possible.
The Mazda EZ-6 is a car that breaks many prejudices and fears. Mazda is a globally popular and well-known car brand, giving it an advantage over Chinese manufacturers whose brands are less familiar to buyers. It's also certain that Mazda will not compromise on build quality, which is one of the strengths of this car brand. Mazda has a well-developed service network, so potential buyers need not worry about where they will service their cars.
Many buyers are deterred from purchasing EVs due to concerns about range and the problems that may arise from the still underdeveloped charging network. Mazda has addressed this by adding a gasoline engine to charge the battery, extending the range to 1200 km. This range is on par with diesel sedans, which have the highest ranges.
Some buyers are concerned about battery fires in electric vehicles, although statistics show these fears are largely unfounded. Mazda uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, which are much more stable and less flammable than lithium-ion batteries.
With this model, Mazda will successfully compete with the Tesla Model 3. The advantages of the Mazda EV-6 include a more luxurious interior, a head-up display (HuD), which Tesla persistently ignores despite customer demand, an instrument panel in front of the driver, zero-gravity seats, and traditional controls for lights and wipers, which have been removed in the Tesla Model 3. The Mazda EZ-6 is about 20 cm longer than Tesla's Model 3, has a 2 cm longer wheelbase, and comes in a 5-door body style, significantly increasing its practicality. Tesla's standout features include extraordinary performance at the level of super sports cars, probably a better infotainment system, and autopilot. Over the years, Tesla has proven to be one of the best EVs, while Mazda still needs to prove itself.
The Mazda EZ-6 is definitely a car that could attract numerous buyers and achieve excellent sales results, with the price being the deciding factor.