While many of its closest competitors rushed to develop attractive EVs, Mazda dragged its feet for several years, at one stage only selling a single EV in the form of the disappointing and short-lived MX-30. Now, it’s selling attractive 6e/EZ-6 and CX-6e/EZ-60 in certain markets, and more EVs are on the way.

In a bid to quickly bring two new EVs to the market, as well as slash development costs, Mazda leaned on its partnership with Changan in China, basing the 6e on the Deepal L07 and building the CX-6e around the Deepal S07. Although they may not have dedicated Mazda routes, the updates go beyond a simple rebadge.

Read: Mazda’s Electric SUV Gains LiDAR Self-Driving Tech For Under $22k

According to Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, the 6e and CX-6e launched just as fuel prices soared due to the conflict in the Middle East, prompting a surge in the demand for EVs. With this in mind, the company has already started speaking with Changan about what other models it could use to build its own EVs.

“Consumers have started to accept EV as a viable option in their lifestyle. It’s unfortunate it probably took fuel supply and fuel price [increases], because there is a bigger impact on the economy,” Bhindi told Go Auto.

“Our 20-year partnership with Changan Automotive in Nanjing is a strong partnership. We have started talking about what other opportunities could be there,” he added.

A Smaller Electric SUV?

Bhindi did not say what form future EVs from Mazda could take. One possibility is an electric SUV smaller than the CX-6e. Such a model could be based on the Deepal S05. Changan has been selling this model in China for the past two years. It shares the same EPA1 platform as the larger S07 and could easily be adapted by Mazda for a smaller and more affordable model.

While the 6e and CX-6e use the bones of two Changan models, Mazda builds them in a different factory, and its engineering teams from Japan and Europe were used extensively to develop them. If Mazda is serious about growing its EV sales, once again tapping Changan seems like the easy way to go about it.

Deepal S07

The Mazda EZ-60 – known as the CX-6e in export markets – has been on sale in China for only one year, but that didn’t stop the Changan Mazda joint venture from giving it an early technological update. The SUV, which is available with range-extender and fully electric powertrains, gains upgraded sensors enabling more advanced semi-autonomous capabilities.

The highlight of the refreshed EZ-60 is the addition of a roof-mounted LiDAR. This is combined with three millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 11 high-definition cameras, continuously monitoring the surrounding environment. The impressive setup allows Navigation-on-Autopilot (NOA) driving on highways when travelling at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph), and in urban traffic at speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

More: Mazda Says The SUV Boom Still Isn’t Over. Sorry Sedan Fans

According to Mazda, the model can now handle roundabouts and highway ramps, perform automated lane changes, U-turns, and features autonomous parking with upgraded memory. The systems are classified as Level 2+ and have been tested in hazardous scenarios including nighttime driving under heavy rain conditions and navigating narrow mountain passes with tree branches encroaching into the travel lane.

Changan Mazda / Weibo

Setting aside the LiDAR pod on the roof on certain trims, the exterior design of the 4,850 mm (190.9 in) long SUV remains unchanged.

More: Big Changes Coming To Mazda’s Large SUVs After Sales Sputter

The same applies to the interior with the carry-over 26.45-inch infotainment display stretching on the passenger side of the dashboard and nine airbags fitted as standard. High-spec trims are equipped with a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display (optionally upgraded to 100-inch projection), and dual front zero-gravity seats with eight-point massage function that can recline by 120 degrees transforming into beds.

Changan Mazda / Weibo

Under the skin, the EZ-60 retains Changan’s EPA1 architecture with carry-over EREV and BEV powertrain options. Both employ a rear-mounted electric motor producing 255 hp (190 kW / 258 PS). The BEV has a 77.94 kWh battery offering a CLTC range of up to 373 miles (600 km).

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The EREV adds a 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 97 hp (72 kW / 98 PS) which acts purely as a generator for the 31.73 kWh battery pack. This allows an alleged combined range of up to 808 miles (1,301 km) between charging and refueling stops.

Changan Mazda / Weibo

The 2027 Mazda EZ-60 is already available to order in China. Pricing starts at ¥113,900 ($17,000) for the base EREV 200 Air trim but the LiDAR-equipped range begins with the EREV 200 Pro LiDAR at ¥145,900 ($21,700) and tops out at ¥166,900 ($24,900) for the flagship EV 600 Max LiDAR.

More: Mazda Priced Its New CX-6e At $20,500 In China And Nearly Double That In Australia

It remains to be seen whether the aforementioned updates will find their way into the Mazda CX-6e in the near future. The model landed in the Old Continent and in Australia earlier this year, so Mazda might wait before introducing any new features to export markets.

Changan Mazda / Weibo