Six months after making its first appearance in Europe, Mazda’s new 6e sedan has landed in local showrooms. Known for turning out some of the most stylish vehicles in the mainstream market, Mazda may have raised the bar again with this one. The 6e is arguably the brand’s most visually striking sedan yet, even if it isn’t entirely homegrown. Beneath the sheet metal, it shares its underpinnings with a Chinese-market vehicle.

Get Ready For A Price Shocker

We’ve previously taken a close look at the EZ-6, the Chinese counterpart to the 6e, highlighting its affordability in its home market. There, the fully electric version starts at 159,800 yuan and tops out at 181,800 yuan, which converts to roughly €20,700 to €23,600 or $22,500 to $25,500, depending on the trim level. That makes it a serious bargain compared to what European buyers are asked to pay.

Read: Mazda’s Sportier 6e Sedan Launches In China With A Price Tag That Feels Like A Typo

In Europe, the 6e is sold exclusively as a fully electric sedan, since the range-extender variant offered in China won’t be available here, at least for now. In Germany, pricing begins at €44,900 ($49,000) for the Takumi trim. Stepping up to the Takumi Plus adds features like a panoramic roof, wood interior accents, and partial Nappa leather upholstery, bringing the price to €46,900 ($51,200).

Even accounting for spec differences and local taxes, that’s well over double the starting price of the Chinese version – 2.17 times higher, to be exact. The stark contrast underlines just how aggressively priced the EZ-6 is in China, and how much more European buyers are expected to spend on what is essentially the same car.

For comparison, Tesla’s Model 3 ranges from €39,990 (around $43,600) for the RWD version to €49,990 ($54,500) for the Long Range AWD, and tops out at €58,490 ($63,800) for the Performance model in Germany. Meanwhile, BMW’s i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe starts at €60,600 (approximately $66,100).

Electric Range and Powertrain Options

Now reaching dealerships across the region, the Mazda 6e is available in two forms. The standard pure EV features a 68.8 kWh battery, offering a driving range of up to 279 miles (479 km). Power comes from a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 255 hp (190 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque.

While its range won’t set any new benchmarks, it should be more than adequate for typical daily driving unless regular long-distance travel is involved. Those who do can opt for with an 80 kWh battery, which boosts range to 343 miles (552 km).

Typically, EVs with larger battery packs pair them with more powerful motors, but that’s not the case here. In fact, the Long Range model makes slightly less power, with a single rear motor producing 242 hp (180 kW) and the same 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. Both versions manage a 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) time under eight seconds and reach a top speed of 109 mph (175 km/h).

To EV owners, of course, charging speed is of more importance than outright performance. The 68.8 kWh version supports peak DC charging speeds of 200 kW, meaning it can get from 10-80 percent in just 22 minutes. Curiously, the Long Range version charges considerably slower as it is capped at a 95 kW peak. That means a 10-80% charge will take roughly 45 minutes, or double the cheaper model.

It’s worth noting that Europe won’t be getting China’s range-extender EZ-6 variant, which features a 1.5-liter setup producing 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) to feed the battery.

A Clean and Comfortable Cabin

Tech specs aside, it’s not just the exterior of the 6e that looks good; Mazda has also done a fine job with its interior. Yes, it will be a little too minimalist for some, but the steering wheel looks great, the floating center console has a premium aesthetic, and the infotainment screen is massive. There’s also a digital instrument cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, ambient lighting, and a mixture of leather and soft-touch Alcantara for the upholstery.

Now, many EVs currently on sale may offer more in certain areas than the 6e but, let’s face it, apart from logic, in many cases emotion plays a big role in choosing your next ride. If the Mazda’s sexy design can’t convince a sufficient number of buyers (who never leave the tarmac) to get it instead of an SUV, then that bodystyle may indeed be consigned to history books after all.

John Halas contributed to this story

Shopping around for insurance quotes for my 17-year-old learner driver son here in the UK, I found several companies offering cover at half the price of the big names. But when I re-ran the quotes again to see how much the premiums would change when he’d passed his test, the ‘bargain’ policies had ballooned to 10 times the price of the other initially more expensive rivals.

Also: Mazda’s Sportier 6e Sedan Launches With A Price Tag That Feels Like A Typo

Now some experts claim that China’s bargain EVs might also come with a hidden cost buyers won’t discover until much later – or until it’s too late.

Experts Worry About Compromising Security

The difference is that the claimed cost wouldn’t be financial, but made up of data and control. Some security professionals have raised concerns that the modern generation of ‘smart’ Chinese EVs could potentially allow carmakers and hackers, or more specifically China’s ruling forces, to spy on drivers, monitoring where they go, what they do, who they communicate with and about what.

A few experts have gone further, warning that smart EVs could even be remotely controlled, which could cause chaos in busy cities if they were immobilized, or even enable bad actors to use cars as remotely-operated weapons. It’s concerns like these – and not just fears for the longevity of America’s domestic auto industry – that prompted the Biden Administration to increase tariffs on China’s EVs.

In the UK, military and intelligence bosses were ordered this year not to discuss any sensitive work issues while riding in EVs, and vehicles containing Chinese components are now banned from some military facilities, BBC News reports.

When In Rome (Or Beijing)…

But it’s easy to see how buyers, particularly in China, would be seduced by the bargain prices of a modern EV. While the People Republic’s EVs look good value in Europe, a big chunk of their advantage has been nixed by import tariffs. But in their home market, which is in the grip of an aggressive price war, buyers must think it’s Christmas every time they check out a local dealership.

Mazda’s stylish new EZ-6, is a BMW 3-Series rival but is priced from only ¥161,800 ($22,500), and Toyota’s bZ5 SUV starts at just ¥129,800 ($18,100) – half the price of Tesla Model Y . Cars like these offer a huge bang for the buck if you’re willing to take the chance on the security risk.

Also: Chinese EVs Banned From Military Sites Amid Fears They’re Watching Every Move

The Chinese government claims there is no risk, telling BBC News that accusations of espionage were “absurd” and made without any supporting evidence, and that businesses operating abroad are required to comply with local laws. That view is supported by some independent security experts who suggest China and its carmakers want to maximize economic growth and aren’t Bond-level bad guys obsessed with surveillance.

Would security concerns put you off buying a Chinese EV, or would the lure of a $20k price be too much to overlook?

Mazda has faced some criticism for its slow roll-out of compelling EVs. While the new EZ-6 sedan and EZ-60 SUV have garnered attention, they are primarily aimed at the Chinese market and Europe, and both are based on Chinese models. However, that’s about to change.

The company plans to launch its own EVs soon, unrelated to the EZ models shown here. The first of these new vehicles is scheduled to go into production in 2027 at the company’s existing Hofu 2 assembly plant in Japan. Unlike some rivals, Mazda won’t be building a separate EV production line to make it happen.

Flexible Production, Lower Costs

Instead of following the traditional route of investing in an entirely new EV manufacturing process, Mazda has developed a flexible system that allows its electric vehicles to be made alongside hybrid, gas, diesel, and plug-in hybrid models. According to Mazda officials who spoke to Auto News, this innovation will help slash investment costs by a whopping 85%, all while reducing production lead time by 80%.

“A dedicated EV line isn’t necessary because our lines can already accommodate mixed production,” Taketo Hironaka, managing executive officer in charge of production engineering, told Autonews. “This plant is at the cutting edge of Mazda’s manufacturing.”

Read: Mazda’s New Pure Electric SUV Has Spilled Its Secrets

The Hofu H2 site currently produces the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90. It no longer uses fixed conveyors; instead, it utilizes flat pallet platforms that slide across the factory floor. Automatic guided vehicles are then used to transport a vehicle’s powertrain and guide it into place, regardless of whether that vehicle is a PHEV, a diesel, or an EV. This flexible setup also means Mazda only needs seven days to extend a production line, whereas it previously took six weeks.

Mazda is also adopting a lean asset strategy that will enable it to maximize the utilization of its existing production facilities. According to the managing executive officer in charge of production engineering at the Hofu 2 factory, Taketo Hironaka, Mazda will keep capacity utilization at the factory near 100%. The flexibility will also allow it to quickly adjust production levels of hybrids and EVs should demand for EVs ever temporarily slump or spike.

“Doing mixed production means our BEV ratio will change according to customer demand at a given time,” Hironaka said. “We may see a BEV ratio of 100 percent, or it could be 0 percent. We have been able to build such a flexible production system this time. For a small player like us, we think using our production lines 100 percent by employing mixed production is a smart way to go. Under our lean asset strategy, we will maximize the use of our existing production facilities to ride out the initial stages of shift to electrification.”

Tariffs and the U.S. Market

Efficient production isn’t just about cost-cutting, it’s also a buffer against external pressures. Mazda is bracing for the impact of the United States government’s new 25 percent tariff on vehicles and parts, a move that could hit the company hard in its largest market outside of Japan.

“The 25 percent figure is outrageous,” Hironaka told the publication. “We will control what we can. “The key is not having any waste in fixed costs and capital investment. In that sense, this Hofu No. 2 plant is a plant that is at the forefront of our approach,” he added.

Update: While Mazda still hasn’t confirmed whether the new mid-size EZ-6 Sport Edition will make its way to Europe, the Japanese automaker has officially launched the electric sedan in China, complete with pricing.

Available in four sub-trims, the EZ-6 Sport Edition starts at ¥161,800 (approximately $22,500) for the extended-range (ER) “Smart Elegant” version. The price rises to ¥171,800 ($23,900) for both the ER Extreme and Pure Electric Zhiga trims, and tops out at ¥181,180 ($25,300) for the flagship Pure Electric Supreme.

For comparison, the most affordable Mazda currently sold in the U.S. is the 191-horsepower, compact-sized Mazda3 Sedan, which starts at $24,150 before taxes and destination fees.

Original story follows below.

Mazda’s latest creation is here, and it looks even sharper than before. The 6e sedan already boasted sleek styling and a refined interior, but it was crying out for a sportier edge, think something along the lines of BMW’s M Sport trim. Well, Mazda listened and has finally delivered.

The Japanese automaker and Changan have come up with the EZ-6 Sports Edition for the Chinese market, EZ-6 being the Asian name for the car we in the West know as the 6e.

Also: 2026 Mazda 6e EV Debuts In Europe To Battle The Tesla Model 3

Black exterior brightwork, gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers help the Sports Edition stand out from more laid-back EZ-6 models from the outside, and the performance vibe continues inside through the use of Alcantara upholstery and flashes of red on the seat stitching and seats.

Mazda has also added red backlighting for the interior surfaces and a mesh-look aplique for the console that looks very similar to the trim pattern used on sportier CX-60 grades. The same 14.6-inch infotainment screen used on other EZ-6/6es, a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, and a 14-speaker Sony audio system come standard, according to Car News China.

Photos Mazda Changan

The Sports Edition was revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show last month but managed to slip under our radar. Mazda and Changan didn’t specify whether it was packing more power than the stock sedan, but we suspect this is merely a trim package. We also strongly suspect Mazda will very soon launch a similar trim option for the European market 6e – Car News China reports that the Sports Edition was jointly developed by Mazda and Changan in China and Mazda Europe.

We’ve asked Mazda Europe about the powertrain, whether the Sports Edition is coming west, and what it’ll be called if it does, and we’ll let you know when we hear more.

One thing that will definitely be different about the Chinese and Western versions is the choice of powertrains, even though production for both models takes place in the same Changan plant. China’s EZ-6 is available with either a 1.5-liter range-extender setup making 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) or a 255 hp (258 PS / 190 kW) pure-battery alternative, but Europe’s 6Es are EV-only.

Photos Mazda