2026 Mazda CX-6e SUV: price, specs & release date

But 2026 will see two new EVs from the Japanese brand – the introduction of the Mazda 6e will be followed by a related SUV, the CX-6e.

The CX-6e boasts Mazda’s evocative Kodo design language and its customary wide grille, although it’s just a black panel here as there’s no engine to be cooled. Like many recent arrivals, the headlights are housed in a separate cluster below the daytime running lights.

There are clean surfaces and flush-fitting door handles, plus a long, elegant rear pillar (which won’t do much for over-the-shoulder visibility…). A large tailgate area features dainty tail-lights, a slim strip for the third brake light and the boot release integrated into the rear wiper.

Seven paint colours are available, with this Nightfall Violet colour in our pictures surely the best one. Notable other colours include Mazda’s iconic Soul Red Crystal and Air Stream Blue, and all cars get a black roof. The base model gets 19-inch wheels; the higher-spec version sits on the 21s in our pictures.

The interior looks spectacular, with the dashboard dominated by a sweeping 26-inch mega-touchscreen. Serving both the driver and the front-seat passenger, this screen is likely to boast razor-sharp responses and features aplenty. The voice control function is said to be able to take care of adjusting the cabin temperature, opening the windows, or inputting sat nav information.

There’s also a head-up display that puts navigation info onto the road ahead of you, plus gesture control so you don’t even have to touch the screen. Mazda mentions the following controls:

• ​​The ‘okay’ signal activates the navigation to plot the driver’s route home
• The ‘thumbs-up’ can be configured to either turn the car’s EV soundtrack on or off, or trigger to open Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
• The ‘fist’ gesture activates the navigation to plot the driver’s route to work
• The ‘finger heart’ gesture adds the current song to the user’s favourite playlist
• The ‘V’ signal turns on the in-car camera and takes a picture
• The ‘left or right ‘wave’ gesture plays the previous or next song

The trim levels are expected to be called Takumi and Takumi Plus. The latter offers this striking colour scheme, plus heated and cooled seats front and rear, and the digital mirrors. On both models, you get a panoramic sunroof and speakers in the front headrests.

Audiophiles will be interested in the 23-speaker audio system with a 1,280W amplifier.

Boot space stands at 363 litres to the parcel shelf, which sounds disappointing considering the CX-6e is 4.85m long and 1,620mm tall. However, there is also an 80-litre frunk that’s ideal for cable storage or extra luggage.

Underpinning the CX-6e is a 78kWh battery that’s good for up to 300 miles between charges (290 for models with the 21-inch wheels). The Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery supports a maximum DC charge rate of 195kW, giving a 10-80% charge in just 24 minutes.

The 258hp power output is sent to the rear wheels, and the 0-62mph time is decent at 7.9 seconds.

The CX-6e will be built in China but has been developed at Mazda’s European research centre in Germany.

Shop used Mazda SUVs for sale or read our guide to the best electric SUVs available to buy now.