Made-in-China Mazda CX-6e EV could outsell CX-5 as it rivals BYD Sealion 7, Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X

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In a dramatic shift for the Japanese carmaker, Mazda says the electric CX-6e could become its number one seller in Australia — providing regulatory and economic conditions don’t change too drastically. 

“It potentially could,” managing director of Mazda Australia Vinesh Bhindi told Chasing Cars at the CX-6e’s launch, “but it depends on these external factors that are driving EV demand,” he added.

“If you took out those external factors like incentives and fuel prices, it was only a year ago where the demand for EV product — it was growing, slowly growing — was still in the early adopter phase. And then these external factors accelerated it.

“And if these external factors remain, it’s potentially likely that [the CX-6e] could become our number one seller,” said Bindi. 

Last month, Mazda’s best-selling model was the CX-5 medium SUV (1435 registrations, according to VFACTS), which is only available with a 132kW/242Nm 2.5L four-cylinder and no hybrid like the class-leading Toyota RAV4. 

There’s clear potential for the CX-6e if we look at best-selling electric rivals. The Zeekr 7X managed 1628 deliveries, the BYD Sealion 7 2687 and the Tesla Model Y a staggering 4476. 

With the CX-6e GT’s $53,990 list price, Mazda offering a $2000 cashback deal for novated lease buyers, and a brief free upgrade to Azami trim (now exhausted) the pre-order list has swollen beyond 2000 buyers. 

This is clearly a much-better value vehicle than the last EV Mazda sold in Australia, the experimental MX-30 E35 Astina (2021-2023) with just 224km (NEDC) driving range and a $66,560 list price. 

The wider market is showing a clear up-tick in EV sales, too, with the share up to 24.2 percent in September. The SUV space has an even richer electric mix, with battery-powered vehicles making up nearly 30 percent of deliveries.

How did Mazda achieve such a sharp price?

Looking at the CX-6e GT’s price, it’s essentially parity with the petrol CX-5 Akera ($54,990 before on-road costs) despite being electric, more powerful, faster, bigger, and brimming with technology including a huge 26.5-inch central touchscreen.  

The dearer Azami ($56,990 list) gets 21-inch alloy wheels and futuristic camera mirrors. 

“No negotiation is ever easy when it comes to price,” said Bhindi, “all jokes aside, there is an established market-point on where customers say ‘that makes sense’, from a value proposition. 

“And let’s not forget, [for] all cars that are coming out of China at this stage, their government is supporting the industry. Like Australia used to, for local manufacturing, when we had it.

“That’s influencing the value package — and we’re benefiting from it. And that’s great, and most others will [benefit too].

“But in the end, the car has to be right, the brand has to be right, there has to be customer support, there has to be customer confidence, which is what makes the difference. I think we got it right — hopefully,” said Bindi. 

The CX-6e is dealerships now, with the prospect of it becoming Mazda’s best-selling vehicle in Australia sitting firmly in the hands of buyers. 

Mazda CX-6e 2027: Pricing in Australia

Prices listed are before on-road costs

• GT: $53,990
• Azami: $56,990