You can now buy an EV for $25,000 and there’s a wide range of electric cars and SUVs for less than $45K from BYD, MG, GWM, Chery and other brands. Here are the cheapest EVs to buy in Australia right now.
2026 Mazda 6e: Price, specs and release date in Australia
The all-new Mazda 6e family car is coming soon – a luxurious, roomy EV liftback sedan priced below $50,000 and aiming squarely at Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal. Here’s everything you need to know.
Mazda is now taking orders for the all-new 2026 Mazda 6e electric family car ahead of first deliveries due mid-2026.
Priced from less than $50,000 before on-road costs, the Mazda 6e is bigger, roomier, higher-tech and more luxurious than the previous Mazda6, built on a dedicated EV platform in China and offering a claimed 560km driving range (WLTP) – enough to build a persuasive case next to the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal and others in class.
It’s new ground for Mazda, marking a fresh wave of EVs for the popular Japanese marque as it builds its alternative-drivetrain options and takes the fight up to the fast-growing, disruptive Chinese brands.
More: Research and compare new cars, SUVs and utes on sale today in Australia
In this article
When does the Mazda 6e go on sale in Australia?
The Mazda 6e is now on sale in Australia ahead of first deliveries expected in July 2026. It’s Mazda’s second attempt at offering an EV in our market, following the discontinuation of the previous Mazda MX-30, and marks the start of a fresh wave of electric cars from the brand, including the Mazda CX-6e SUV which also joins the line-up in 2026.
How much does the Mazda 6e cost?
The 2026 Mazda 6e is available in two well-priced single-motor/rear-wheel drive (RWD) variants, starting from $49,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Mazda 6e GT ($54,938 drive-away for Victorian private buyers). Using the same powertrain, the flagship Mazda 6e Atenza is priced from $52,990 plus ORCs ($58,064 drive-away).
This positions the Mazda 6e below the Tesla Model 3 (from $54,900 plus ORCs) and $3000 above the BYD Seal, which starts at $46,990 before on-road costs are added. Tesla and BYD both offer higher-performing models in their respective mid-size EV range. MG also has a premium alternative with the IM5 (from $60,990 drive-away), while the Toyota Camry Hybrid remains the most popular model in class, starting from $53,990 plus on-road costs for the premium-spec SL.
Mazda has not yet published service intervals for the Mazda 6e – these are expected to be every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first – and capped-price servicing costs are also unavailable. The standard Mazda new vehicle warranty of five years/unlimited kilometres applies to the new EV, while the high-voltage battery warranty extends to eight years/160,000km.
Research and compare EVs on sale today: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
The Mazda 6e has an elegant but minimalist interior layout, relying heavily on digital screens.
2026 Mazda 6e design and specification
The 2026 Mazda 6e looks every bit like a modern Mazda but it’s quite different to other cars in the Japanese brand’s Australian stable. For starters, the five-seater electric liftback sedan is the first to be built in China through Mazda’s long-time partner Changan Automobile, based on Changan’s EPA electric vehicle platform that also underpins the Deepal S07 available here.
The 6e rides on large aero-optimised 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/45R19 tyres and uses a multi-link rear suspension in conjunction with a MacPherson strut design at the front axle. Braking hardware includes 310mm ventilated discs up front and 306mm solid rotors at the rear, while electric power assist steering is used and the turning circle is 11.2m.
The Mazda 6e measures 4921mm long, 1890mm wide and 1485mm high, making it bigger all-round compared to the previous Mazda6. It also has wider front and rear wheel tracks of 1620/1630mm respectively (+25/45mm), and rests on a longer 2895mm wheelbase (+145mm) for improved interior space.
Mazda’s long-serving ‘Kodo’ design theme is employed on the EV, which has a traditional long bonnet and a sporting silhouette with tapered roofline, frameless doors and truncated rear end. Pop-out door handles remain flush with the sculpted body panels when not in use, while an electric rear spoiler on the boot lid automatically deploys at 80km/h (it can be manually operated, too). LEDs are used for the narrow headlight and tail-light clusters, along with lighting accents that wrap around the lower portion of the grille and in a line across the tailgate.
Seven exterior colours are available, ranging from no-cost Aero Grey metallic and three mica options (Crystal White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue and Jet Black) to a trio of $750 premium metallic paint options: Machine Grey, Polymetal Grey and Soul Red Crystal.
Inside, the Mazda 6e upholds the brand’s typically premium fit-out and high attention to detail but moves into a new era with a steering column-mounted transmission selector and a large 14.6-inch central touchscreen that eliminates the previous rotary controller. Both measures free up space in the cockpit area but could prove a challenge for long-time Mazda owners used to physical controls and traditional switchgear placement.
The driver’s seat has position memory settings and a broad range of adjustment (including lumbar) and the steering wheel is fully adjustable too.
Quality materials extend to the rear seat, where room is abundant and separate climate controls are provided. The standard seat trim on the GT model is black artificial leather, which can be upgraded to a ‘warm beige’ colour for an extra $1000, while Atenza features tan leather trim and faux suede with quilting.
The back seat has a 60/40 split-fold that can extend the standard 337-litre boot space (including underfloor area) to 678 litres up to the tonneau cover or 1074L to the roof. There is also a front trunk (frunk) that can hold 72 litres. As is often the case with EVs, there is no spare tyre, just a tyre repair kit and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The Mazda 6e can tow a trailer up to 1500kg (braked), with a maximum tow ball download of 75kg.
Research and compare current Mazda cars on sale today in Australia
Mazda 6e standard equipment and features
With no difference in powertrain and $3000 dividing the 2026 Mazda 6e GT and Atenza, interior trim is the main point of separation in what is a highly specified package right from base level.
Mazda 6e GT features:
- 14.6-inch central touchscreen display
- 10.2-inch digital driver’s instrument display
- Augmented reality active driving display
- 360-degree monitor with ‘see through’ view
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Digital radio
- Satellite navigation
- 64-colour ambient interior lighting
- Premium 14-speaker Sony audio system
- Panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade
- Advanced keyless entry with push-button start
- One-touch power windows front/rear
- Black synthetic leather seat upholstery (beige optional)
- 10-way power driver’s seat adjustment with 3-position memory
- 4-way power front passenger seat adjustment
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Tri-zone climate control
- Power tailgate
- 19-inch alloy wheels
Mazda 6e Atenza adds:
- Tan leather and synthetic suede seats with quilted stitching
- Two-tone tan/black leather steering wheel
- Tan synthetic suede dash and door trim
Research and compare Mazda6e variants now on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs and safety
What is the power and EV range of the Mazda 6e?
The 2026 Mazda 6e is powered by a single electric motor that produces 190kW of power and 290Nm of torque.
Weighing a hefty 2015kg, the Mazda 6e drives the rear wheels and draws energy from a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery which, according to Mazda, enables a claimed driving range of up to 560km, based on the WLTP combined test cycle. Energy consumption is listed at 15.9kWh/100km using the ADR 81/02 test.
Selectable driving modes (Sport, Comfort and Custom) are also provided, altering the steering and powertrain characteristics, including regenerative braking.
The Mazda 6e uses a Type 2 port for AC charging and CCS2 for DC fast charging, handling up to 194kW with the latter. Mazda claims the battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes at the maximum DC rate, while replenishing from 30-80 per cent can be achieved in 15min.
With AC charging, the electric sedan can handle both single-phase and three-phase power supply, refilling a fully depleted battery to 100 per cent in about 10 hours using a 7.2kW dedicated home EV charger – or eight hours with an 11kW charger.
More: How to charge an electric car at home and how long it can take
| Key specs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price* |
$49,990 |
$46,990 |
$54,900 |
|
Powertrain |
Single motor/RWD |
Single motor/RWD |
Single motor/RWD |
|
Power/torque |
190kW/290Nm |
150kW/310Nm |
194kW/340Nm est. |
|
0-100km/h acceleration |
7.9sec |
7.6sec |
6.1sec |
|
Battery capacity |
78kWh |
61.44kWh |
60kWh est. |
|
Claimed range (WLTP) |
560km |
460km |
520km |
|
Length, width, height |
4921mm, 1890mm, 1485mm |
4800mm, 1875mm, 1460mm |
4720mm, 1933mm, 1441mm |
* Manufacturer’s recommended retail price. Does not include on-road costs.
What safety and technology features on Mazda 6e?
The 2026 Mazda 6e received a maximum five-star safety rating from European NCAP in 2025, which is expected to translate to a comparable result under the affiliated Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The Deepal S07, which is based on the same platform as the Mazda 6e, also received a five-star ANCAP rating, based on testing in 2024.
Mazda’s electric sedan has nine airbags, including side and curtain airbags for both front and rear compartments and a far-side airbag in the driver’s seat that’s designed to prevent head-clash between the two front occupants in the event of a crash.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include:
- Autonomous emergency braking (aka Smart Brake Support) front/rear with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning
- Driver monitoring and attention alert
- Emergency lane keeping, lane/road keep assist
- Forward obstruction warning
- Traffic sign recognition
- Blind spot monitoring/assist with vehicle exit warning
- Automatic high beam
A 360-degree view monitor with a ‘see-through view’ and side view monitor is provided, while a reversing camera and front/rear parking sensors also help with manoeuvring the EV.
Other technology onboard includes a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display and 14.6-inch central touchscreen. Intuitive voice recognition and hand gesture control are designed to help the Mazda 6e driver manage various functions without diverting their attention from the road.
The front compartment has a single USB-A and USB-C device charging point, with the rear seat area adding a second USB-C outlet. A wireless smartphone charging pad is also provided up front, while drivers tuning in can access digital radio and the FM band with a radio data system (RDS), but not AM airwaves.
Connected services are available via a dedicated Mazda 6e app, which includes remote functions such as climate control and door lock/unlock but does not extend at this stage to automatic collision notification (eCall) and stolen vehicle tracking, as found on some other Mazda cars.
More: What is eCall and how crash detection technology can save lives
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