First Drive: Mazda takes aim at electric SUV class with boldly styled CX-6e
The second European product from Mazda-Changan’s joint venture is an electric SUV. James Batchelor finds out if it’s any good.
What is it?
Its first EV, the MX-30 of 2021, was charismatic and quirky, but was let down by its poor range, and was quietly dropped four years later. Things moved up a gear earlier this year with the launch of the Mazda 6e – an electric saloon/fastback to rival the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. Now, the Japanese brand has added an electric SUV to the mix.
What’s new?
The 6e and CX-6e have been designed by Mazda, but underneath there’s plenty of Changan going on; with the CX-6e, much of the car is shared with the Changan Deepal S07.
What’s under the bonnet?
The CX-6e gets a 78kWh battery pack giving a claimed range of up to 300 miles. That’s not groundbreaking in the family-sized SUV electric car class, but its charging credentials are rather more impressive. The CX-6e can accept up to 200kW DC, allowing a 10-80% rapid charge in around 24 minutes. So, while it may lack a little in the range department, the CX-6e charges quickly. There’s also 11kW AC charging, Vehicle-to-Load (V2), and standard-fit heat pump.
As for the motor, it’s mounted on the rear wheels and develops 255bhp and 290Nm of torque, giving a 0-60mph acceleration time of 8.1 seconds and a 115mph top speed.
What’s it like to drive?
As the power is sent to the rear wheel, it leaves the front to concentrate on the steering, and the result is a sharp, well-weighted feel. The ride is a little busy at town speeds, but on faster roads it’s more comfortable, and the CX-6e is eerily quiet, even on motorways. But some of Mazda’s famous engaging driving characteristics haven’t translated across to the CX-6e, and it’s a complaint we’ve levelled at the 6e, too. The CX-6e drives well compared to rivals, but if you’re stepping out of a CX-5 you might be disappointed.
Lastly, we need to mention the safety systems and tech. With the systems left on, they can be very intrusive, with even minor infractions such as yawning resulting in the car giving the driver a good telling off. Meanwhile, top-spec cars get digital door mirrors and a rear-view mirror, and they’re a bit hard to jell with compared to conventional mirrors.
How does it look?
There’s a novel take on Mazda’s trademark ‘Signature Wing’ grille design thanks to a light bar, and the car has a wedgey, almost origami-like sharpness to its design. There’s also some clever aero trickery such as the wing in the bonnet and ‘flying’ d-pillars that all help to make the CX-6e slip through the air as easily as possible, reducing drag and improving efficiency.
What’s it like inside?
The 26.5-inch screen is a real attack on the senses, but after a while it is relatively easy to use thanks to quick software and crisp graphics, and there are plenty of functions to tweak, ranging from the ambient lighting to interior ‘moods’. There’s even an external speaker to allow you to speak to our road users should you wish… The infotainment system is all very clever and modern, but just be prepared for the car to bing and bong at you, telling you to keep your eyes on the road while using it.
Elsewhere, the interior has a very luxurious feel. Build quality is extremely high, and top-spec cars ramp up the special feeling with amethyst and white coloured upholstery. Inside is also very roomy – back seat passengers can really stretch out, and while the 468-litre boot isn’t the largest in the class, it’s well-shaped plus there’s an 80-litre frunk.
What’s the spec like?
The £45,350 Takumi Plus adds the digital door mirrors, a digital rear view mirror, heated and ventilated rear seats, upgraded interior ambient lighting, the amethyst and white interior, and a set of fabulous-looking 21-inch alloys.
Verdict
Thanks to its Changan partnership, Mazda has been able to bring an electric SUV very quickly to market. While it may not drive like some of Mazda’s home-made products like the CX-5, it has enough sporting flair in quite a conservative part of the market.
The tech is also a little overwhelming, plus the 300-mile range is nothing to shout about. But the exterior design is fantastic; it’s a very refined car to travel in, and it’s very well equipped. Importantly, despite its obvious foibles, it feels and looks different from the competition, and that alone is highly impressive.