There is no arguing with the Mazda6e’s appearance. Parked outside a café or gliding through city traffic, it draws glances in a way few executive EVs manage. The long bonnet, taut flanks and sculpted rear haunches give it presence without shouting. To my eye, it’s a car that looks more expensive than its £39,995 price tag suggests.
Behind the wheel, the 258ps rear-wheel-drive motor delivers a confident, linear surge. There is no neck-snapping violence here, just enough urge to merge briskly on motorways and to feel brisk in everyday situations. The official 0–62mph time of 7.9 seconds undersells the everyday sense of pace; it feels quicker in the mid-range, where electric torque does its best work.
On smooth surfaces, the 6e is composed and relaxing. Steering weights up nicely through corners, grip is plentiful and body lean is modest. It feels broadly well-mannered, if not class-leading. But venture onto undulating British B-roads and the composure begins to fray. Over crests and dips, the suspension never fully settles, imparting a slightly floaty, restless quality that undermines confidence. It is not uncomfortable, but it lacks the polished control you expect from a car wearing a Mazda badge.
Inside, the cabin is one of the 6e’s strongest assets. The Takumi Plus trim’s Tan Nappa leather seats are supple and supportive, with artificial suede inserts adding texture. Soft-touch materials abound, the panoramic glass roof bathes the interior in light, and the overall ambience is calm and inviting. Long journeys feel easy on the body; this is a relaxing place to spend time.
Yet the interior experience is marred by one significant frustration: the infotainment system. Mazda has traditionally championed intuitive ergonomics, with physical buttons and a rotary dial controller that let you operate key functions without looking. In the 6e, that dial is gone. Almost everything – climate control, heated and ventilated seats, mirror adjustment, even wipers – lives within the 14.6in touchscreen’s layered menus.
The screen itself is crisp and responsive, but the software logic feels fiddly. Simple tasks require multiple taps, and the lack of physical shortcuts means more distraction while driving. For long-time Mazda owners, this is a step backwards. You can assign some functions to steering-wheel buttons, but it does not fully compensate for the loss of the rotary controller’s simplicity.
Practicality is solid. Rear legroom is generous, though the high floor raises knees slightly. The 466-litre boot is competitive, and the front trunk (“frunk”) adds useful extra space for charging cables or a weekend bag. Standard kit is extensive: heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 360-degree camera, Sony sound system and powered tailgate all come as standard.
Under the skin, the 6e is built on a platform co-developed with Chinese partner Changan, a fact that explains some of its character. It is not a bad car by any stretch – it is well-equipped, comfortable and efficient – but it lacks the dynamic sparkle that has long defined Mazda’s best drivers’ cars.
Range and charging are respectable. The 78kWh battery delivers an official WLTP figure of 348 miles, and real-world testing suggests around 310 miles is achievable. DC charging peaks at 195kW, enabling a 10–80% top-up in roughly 24 minutes on a compatible rapid charger.
The Mazda6e Takumi Plus is a handsome, well-appointed executive EV that delivers a relaxed driving experience and strong everyday usability. Its looks are undeniable, its pace is adequate and its interior materials are genuinely comforting. But the ride loses composure on uneven roads, and the touchscreen-heavy cabin feels like a missed opportunity for a brand that once led on ergonomics. It is a good car, just not quite the Mazda we hoped for.
Mazda6e EV 258ps Takumi Plus
POWERTRAIN: 258ps (190kW) rear-wheel drive electric motor
BATTERY: 78kWh LFP lithium-ion
WLTP range: Up to 348 miles (combined)
0–62MPH: 7.9 seconds
MAX DC CHARGING: 195kW (10–80% in ~24 minutes)
UK list price (Takumi Plus): £39,995 on-the-road
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