Refreshed Mazda 6e hits the UK with new LFP battery and sub-£40,000 price tag

Mazda seemed to be dragging its feet when it came to EV transition. Other companies were rushing to put out new electric models, and Mazda only had the MX-30 to offer. To make things worse, that car did not sell very well because it simply did not go very far on a single charge. It was a total disaster. But now, the company has released a new Mazda 6e in the UK, and it looks much more competitive than any of the previous attempts. But there is one detail that might make shoppers do a double-take: the price.

The Mazda 6e is a stylish sedan that wants to be a premium choice for drivers. It looks very much like a Mazda, but it actually has some help from China. Under the sleek body, it uses a platform from the Changan Deepal SL03. This is a common practice in the industry today, where car companies share parts to save money. Even though it shares its "bones" with a Chinese car, Mazda has added its own touch to the design. As a result, the 6e looks much more like the traditional gas-powered cars fans of the brand already love.

When it comes to power, the Mazda 6e is a solid daily driver, but it is not a racecar. It uses a rear-mounted motor that delivers 254 horsepower (190 kW). It also has 214 lb-ft of torque, and it will go from zero to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds. This is fine for merging onto the highway, but it won't win many drag races against other electric cars. Mazda seems more focused on making the car comfortable and smooth rather than making it lightning-fast.

The battery inside the 6e is a 78 kWh lithium-ion phosphate unit. This is a big improvement over Mazda's older EVs. On a full charge, the car can travel about 348 miles - plenty of range for most people to drive for several days without needing to plug in. When you do run low on power, the car can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes thanks to the 195 kW support.

It's all great so far, but we have to talk about the cost. This is where things get a bit expensive for buyers. In the UK, the entry-level model is called the Takumi, which starts at $53,552. If you want the Takumi Plus trim, you will have to pay $54,925. This higher trim adds nice things like tan Nappa leather, a glass roof that lets you see the sky, and soft suede materials inside. On its own, this price seems okay compared to a Tesla Model 3, which costs about $52,170 in the UK.

But if you look at what people pay for this same car in China, the story changes. In China, where the car is built and called the EZ-6, it is much cheaper. The basic model there starts at only RMB 159,800, which is about $23,280. The most expensive version in China costs RMB 181,800 - that's around $26,500. It is a massive difference that might make some buyers feel a little grumpy.

Why is there such a big gap in price? Part of it comes down to taxes and shipping. The UK has a 10 percent import duty on cars. On top of that, there is a 20 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) added to the price of every new car. In the UK, these taxes are already included in the price you see on the sticker. In China, the government also gives a lot of help to companies that make electric cars, which helps keep the prices very low.

Apart from the pricing inequalities, the Mazda 6e is a big step forward for the brand. It offers a good range, a nice interior, and a design that stands out. It shows that Mazda is ready to take electric cars seriously. UK buyers will now have to decide if the Mazda name and the premium feel are worth the money.

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