Mazda CX-6e detailed for New Zealand: electric SUV lands later this year

Mazda’s first proper crack at a battery-electric family SUV is headed to New Zealand with a single, fully loaded specification and a rear-drive powertrain that echoes the brand’s sports car heritage.

Mazda New Zealand has locked in the key details of the CX-6e, the electric SUV that will round out a busy 2026 for the Japanese brand in this market. It follows the third-generation CX-5 into local showrooms and arrives alongside the 6e sedan, giving Mazda its first credible pure-electric presence in the country.

As with the 6e, the CX-6e will be offered in a single to-tier Takami grade. Pricing remains under wraps for now, but Mazda NZ says it will release numbers closer to launch. Expressions of interest are already open through the dealer network.

Rear-drive, single motor

The CX-6e uses a single electric motor mounted at the rear axle, producing 190kW and 290Nm. That makes it rear-wheel drive – a layout Mazda is happy to draw a line from to the MX-5, even if the driving experience will obviously be quite different. There is no all-wheel drive option at launch.

Energy comes from a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which Mazda says delivers a WLTP-rated range of 468km. That is a meaningful step behind the 560km claimed for the lower, sleeker 6e sedan using the same battery, the SUV’s taller body and greater frontal area exact an obvious aerodynamic penalty.

DC fast charging peaks at 195kW, with a 10 to 80 per cent top-up quoted at 24 minutes. Those are competitive numbers in the context of the current New Zealand EV market.

Sized between CX-60 and CX-80

The CX-6e rides on a 2,902mm wheelbase, which slots it above the CX-60 in the Mazda SUV hierarchy but below the seven-seat CX-80. Boot space is 468 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,434 litres with the rear seats folded. There is also an 83-litre front storage compartment under the bonnet.

Visually, the CX-6e represents what Mazda is calling a ‘Soulful Futuristic Modern’ take on its Kodo design language. That translates to illuminated lighting signatures at the front, aerodynamic ducting built into the D-pillars, and 21-inch alloy wheels with a double five-spoke design as standard for NZ cars.

Digital mirrors and a 26-inch screen

Two pieces of cabin technology stand out. The first is a 26-inch ultra-wide display that stretches across the dashboard from the driver’s binnacle past the centre stack and into the passenger’s line of sight. It uses a split layout so both front occupants can access their own information independently.

The second is a set of digital side mirrors, a first for a production Mazda. Compact cameras on the exterior feed live video to OLED displays mounted inside the doors. Mazda says they provide a 30 per cent wider field of view than conventional glass mirrors and improve the car’s aerodynamic profile. A digital rear-view mirror with a nine-inch display is also standard, though drivers can toggle back to the traditional glass mirror if they prefer.

Other Takami-grade highlights include a head-up display, a full-length insulated glass sunroof, and illuminated interior trim. Buyers choose between two interior finishes: full black Maztex synthetic leather, or a black and Oyster White combination.

Made in China, sold as a Mazda

Like the 6e sedan, the CX-6e is a product of Mazda’s long-running manufacturing partnership with Changan Automobile in China. It is a relationship that dates back years but takes on fresh significance now, as Mazda leans on Changan’s EV and battery expertise to accelerate its electrification push outside of Japan.

At a glance: Mazda CX-6e Takami

Motor: Single rear-mounted electric, 190kW/290Nm 
Battery: 78kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 
Range: 468km (WLTP) 
DC fast charge: 195kW peak; 10–80% in 24 minutes 
Drive: Rear-wheel drive 
Wheelbase: 2,902mm 
Boot: 468 litres (1,434 litres seats folded); 83-litre frunk 
Key features: 26-inch ultra-wide display, digital side mirrors, digital rear-view mirror, head-up display, full-length glass sunroof, 21-inch alloys 
Interior: Maztex synthetic leather in black or black/Oyster White 
Origin: Manufactured via Mazda-Changan partnership, China 
Price: TBC 
On sale: Late 2026 (NZ)