Is Mazda getting serious about EVs? CX-6e SUV confirmed for Australia in 2026 as the electric alternative to the CX-5

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Mazda has locked in the fully electric CX-6e medium SUV for a 2026 arrival here in Australia.

Its medium sizing will hope to offer an easy transition for buyers of the popular CX-5 looking to switch to an all-electric drivetrain, but perhaps more importantly, its sourcing from China should make it more competitively priced than previous electric Mazda efforts.

It’s the second product from a joint venture between Mazda and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co, following the 6e sedan which is due to arrive in the latter half of 2026.

Once on sale in Australia, the CX-6e will join a growing field of competitive electric midsize SUV rivals, including the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X.

CX-6e range, charging times and more

All key details, including pricing, grades, hardware and even a specific release date, remain under wraps for now, but specs released for the UK could offer some insight into what to expect here in Australia.

Unveiled at Brussels Motor Show last week, the CX-6e features a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack with a WLTP driving range of up to 482km. 

A maximum DC charging rate of 195kW is said to offer a 10-80 percent top-up time of 24 minutes, with 11kW AC charging also available.

The spec shown featured a single 189kW/290Nm motor on the rear axle, good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds. It’s expected, however, that all-wheel-drive versions will join the local lineup.

26-inch screen dominates CX-6e’s cabin

An unmissable feature of the CX-6e’s cabin design is the huge 26-inch touchscreen, which sweeps across the centre of the dashboard to the passenger side, with a dual-layer function so that driver and passenger can use the space for different purposes.

The setup is complemented by a heads-up display for the driver and the system still integrates traditional smartphone mirror software in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Mazda has trimmed the interior in a variety of colour schemes, including various two-tone options, with one in a striking purple and pearl shade. 

A cargo capacity of 468 litres is quoted for the five-seater, expanding to 1434 litres when the second row is folded flat.

Pricing of around £45,000 (circa-$90,000 AUD) has been estimated for the CX-6e in the UK, where vehicle prices are generally higher, but it remains to be seen where this new SUV will land.

For example, the Model Y Long-Range RWD starts from £51,990 (circa-$104,000 AUD) but is priced from $68,900 here in Australia, suggesting the Mazda could land in the low $60,000 range here.

Full details on safety tech remain under wraps but Mazda promises a full arsenal of driver aids backed by new-generation cameras and sensors, along with the passive protection of nine airbags.