Mazda Says New EV Is 'Truly Global.' But There's One Problem

Mazda is among several Japanese carmakers slow to adopt electric cars. Thanks to a joint venture with China's Changan Automobile, there's a new Mazda EV in the pipeline called the EZ-6. It will go on sale in Europe and China this fall.

Mazda is one of the several Japanese automakers labeled as a "laggard" in the electric vehicle race. And for the past few years it has been in a crisis over its largely undefined EV plans.

The automaker, known for its sporty models like the MX-5 Miata and the famous rotary engines, barely has any presence in the U.S. EV market. The only two electrified models it sells are the CX-70 and CX-90 plug-in hybrids. Internationally, however, Mazda will soon offer the EZ-6 electric sedan.

At an event in Japan today, along with its joint venture partner Chongquing Changan Automobile, Mazda said that the 2025 EZ-6 sedan would be its "first global new energy vehicle." The concept was first showcased a few months ago at Auto China 2024. The production version will launch in China and Europe in the fall of this year.

This may excite Mazda's fans stateside, but this model will be manufactured in China. So it's highly unlikely that it will ever arrive in the U.S., given the stringent tariffs on imported Chinese-made cars. For Mazda, however, it's good news. The model may help ease some pressure and possibly create a more enduring electrification journey going forward if buyers warm up to it.

The EZ-6 sedan is based on the Changan Deepal SL03. But it's not a product of simple badge engineering. It's a good looking car with classic Mazda flair. The rear-wheel-drive electric sedan has an old-school silhouette, mixing sharp angles with smooth curves. The front is highlighted by a sharp nose, sleek headlamps and a slender grille.

Inside, it looks upmarket as well. There's a panoramic glass roof, floating center screen, digital gauge cluster, wireless chargers and a large and wide center tray.

Mazda hasn't revealed powertrain and battery details yet, but it said previously that the all-electric version would have a range of 600 km (372 miles) whereas the hybrid model will cover an impressive 1,000 km (621 miles). It's worth noting that these figures are on the overly optimistic China Light Duty Vehicle-Test Cycle (CLTC).

Changan's model is offered as a range-extender, so it's unclear if Mazda would also have its own version of that. What's clear is that it will adopt Changan's advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). The EZ-6 will come equipped with Level 2.5 driver assistance features with a robust hardware that includes a seven nanometer Qualcomm chip, four exterior HD cameras and 12 radars.

Mazda also showcased the Arata electric SUV concept early this year. That would have probably made more sense for the U.S. given our appetite for SUVs. But it's set to enter production by the end of next year in China, so the brand's U.S. EV line-up will continue to look bare, at least in the near future.

It has the MX-30 range extender EV in its portfolio but that's on sale only in Europe. InsideEVs reviewed that model early this year and found that it's pleasant to drive, but has plenty of room for improvement.