NEW Mazda 6e Review – Why it’s best AVOIDED!

Mazda 6e Review Summary

Overview and price

The Mazda 6e starts at about £39,000 and is sold in the UK with one powertrain and two trim levels. Despite its Mazda styling, it is based on the Changan Deepal SL03. Mazda redesigned much of the exterior and says it revised the suspension and setup for European preferences.

The reviewer notes that platform-sharing is common in the car industry, but says the 6e’s connection to Changan makes reliability harder to judge because the car is new to the UK market.

Main strengths

• Good value and range: The official range is 348 miles, a strong figure for the price. That is slightly more than the comparable Model 3 and MG IM5 figures cited in the review, and six miles below the base BYD Seal. More expensive long-range versions of rivals go further: up to 466 miles for the Model 3, 441 miles for the MG IM5 and 409 miles for the Polestar 2.
• Fast charging: The 6e can charge at up to 195 kW, with a claimed 10–80% charge time of 24 minutes in ideal conditions. The reviewer says that is about the same as a base Model 3 and quicker than the Polestar 2 and MG IM5. Mazda owners do not have exclusive access to Tesla’s charging network, although many Superchargers are open to other brands.
• Useful luggage space: As a hatchback, the 6e has a larger boot opening than the Model 3. Its 466-litre boot is square and easy to load, has a small loading lip, and the rear seats fold 60/40. The reviewer fitted seven carry-on suitcases—one more than in the MG IM5, but one fewer than in the Model 3. There is little useful space beneath the main boot floor.
• Excellent front storage: The large frunk has a removable raised floor, extra space beneath it and a drain plug for washing it out. It held two carry-on cases in the test, compared with one in the Model 3, despite being slightly smaller on paper.
• High-quality, comfortable cabin: The reviewer praised the soft-touch materials, padded armrest and door inserts, and found the cabin more pleasant than those of the BYD Seal, MG IM5 and even the Model 3. The front seat is comfortable for long, straight drives and includes adjustable lumbar support.
• Generous standard equipment: Even the entry-level Takumi includes heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic roof, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, a 14-speaker Sony audio system and a powered tailgate. Takumi Plus costs £1,000 more and adds tan suede-and-leather upholstery and an electric sunshade.
• Safety and warranty: The 6e received five stars from Euro NCAP, with strong adult- and child-protection results. It has a six-year/100,000-mile warranty on most components and an eight-year battery warranty.
• Quiet and composed at some speeds: On the test day, the cabin was slightly quieter than the Model 3 at 70 mph, with less road noise. Its softer suspension also dealt well with larger bumps and potholes at lower urban speeds.

Drawbacks and driving experience

• Poor body control on uneven roads: This is the reviewer’s major criticism. On undulating British country roads, the car can bounce and lose composure even at normal speeds. The reviewer found the Model 3, BYD Seal and MG IM5 more stable and confidence-inspiring.
• Vague steering and brakes: The steering feels loose around the straight-ahead position, making it harder to hold a precise line on narrow roads. The brake pedal is somewhat spongy and imprecise at the start of its travel; the Model 3’s response felt more predictable.
• Not especially engaging or comfortable overall: Although the suspension is soft in town, it sways more on the road. The reviewer says the 6e is neither as comfortable nor as enjoyable to drive as its direct rivals.
• Rear-seat compromises: Knee room is good and the floor is flat, but the high floor leaves rear passengers’ knees raised and provides little thigh support. Legroom can also be limited if the front seat is set low. The middle seat has a high base and limited headroom, making it unsuitable for a tall passenger. Rear headroom is not as good as in the Model 3, though the reviewer’s head did not touch the roof.
• Driving-position and visibility issues: The steering wheel could extend farther toward the driver, which may affect especially tall people. The reviewer recommends a test sit for drivers around 190–195 cm. Steeply raked windscreen pillars can obstruct views at junctions, the mirror can block some forward visibility for taller drivers, and rear visibility is poor.
• Infotainment is usable but awkward: The 14.6-inch touchscreen has a less-than-ideal viewing angle and resolution. Its Tesla-inspired system works adequately and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but requires more steps and submenu navigation than the Model 3. Mazda’s familiar rotary controller is absent.
• Storage has mixed practicality: There is a large centre-armrest compartment, accessible cupholders, phone spaces including wireless charging, and storage beneath the centre console. However, the USB ports are awkward to locate, and the small door pockets are partly obstructed by the armrests.
• Efficiency trails the Model 3: In the review’s warm-weather test, the 6e averaged 4.1 miles per kWh, versus 4.8 miles per kWh for a rear-wheel-drive Model 3. The reviewer calculated a theoretical warm-weather range of about 312 miles for the Mazda, compared with 288 miles for that Model 3, largely because the Mazda has a larger battery.
• Reliability remains uncertain: The reviewer could not make a firm reliability assessment because key components come from Changan and the model had only recently gone on sale in the UK.

Comparisons and verdict

The Mazda is cheaper than the BYD Seal and MG IM5 as priced in the review, and its standard range and charging performance are competitive. It also stands out for its cabin finish, large frunk and equipment.

However, the reviewer considers its poor control over rough roads a serious weakness—not merely a matter of driving enjoyment, but something that can make the car feel unsettling.

Overall recommendation: The reviewer advises against choosing the Mazda 6e. The Tesla Model 3 is described as the objectively best car in the class, while buyers wanting to spend under £40,000 are advised to look at the MG IM5 first.

Speaker’s perspective

The review is delivered by one presenter, who praises the 6e’s value, interior, storage, safety and charging, but strongly criticises its handling and recommends considering rivals instead.