Why Mazda must quickly bring these electric models to the Netherlands

Mazda has gotten off to a rocky start in the electric car space so far. Of electricity Mazda MX-30 it is an original and fun SUV, but the range is very small. Mazda has repeatedly stated that it considers the move to have larger and heavier battery packs to be the wrong way to go.

Meanwhile, Mazda seems to be missing the EV boat entirely. Apparently car users do not agree with the manufacturer that the range of about 200 km is more than enough, because the MX30 does not sell for anything.

Two new electric Mazdas

So we were surprised by the two new models that Mazda showed to the world in Beijing. The EZ-6 looks quite ready for production, the Arata is still in the concept phase. By the way, they are not officially born Mazdas. They were created in collaboration with the Chinese manufacturer Changan Automobile, with whom Mazda has had a relationship for more than twenty years.

Are these Mazdas coming to the Netherlands after all? Our magazine will tell you!

The EZ-6 seems to indicate an electric Mazda 6

The Mazda EZ-6 is the first of a series of new electric vehicles designed and built by Changan Mazda. The Mazda EZ-6 will enter the Chinese market at the end of 2024, but it will definitely not look the same in Europe. The model follows Mazda’s well-known Kodo design philosophy and appears to be an excellent electric alternative to Mazda6.

The car looks sleek and slim and has a coupe-like roofline, which ends in an electrically operated rear spoiler. The stylish doors emphasize the sporty aspiration. Anyone who still has a soft spot for traditional grille nozzles will not be disappointed with the EZ-6. This means the car doesn’t look like a typical EV – a plus for many people.

Electric Mazda EZ-6 with a mileage of 600 km

Many technical details have not been revealed, but Mazda has announced that two versions of the Mazda EZ-6 will be available. A fully electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid. The electric-only version would have a range of 600 km. This would allow the rear-wheel drive EZ-6 to hold its own among cars such as the BMW i4, Tesla model 3 in Volkswagen ID.7. The Mazda EZ-6 PHEV is said to have a combined range of 620 miles.

Large and luxurious

EZ-6 is a big man: it is 4.92 meters long and 1.89 meters wide. With its length of 1.49 meters, the Mazda sits between the Volkswagen ID.7 and the BMW i4. The interior offers space for five passengers, who can bathe in luxury, leather and Alcantara. We have our reservations about the large Erasmus Bridge hanging between the front seats. The front seats themselves look like you could easily last 600 or 1000 km. To put it plainly: the Chinese test standard is (even) more optimistic than the WLTP standard we use in Europe.

But even if the electric range is 500 km, Mazda EZ-6 still does not reduce the good figures. With a multi-link rear suspension and 50:50 weight distribution, we’re sure the Mazda EZ-6 will also be able to match the European and Korean competition in terms of handling. So: bring it on!

Mazda Arata: CX-30 electric counterpart

In addition to the Mazda EZ-6, Mazda Changan presented the Arata research model. This electric SUV will go into production at the end of 2025 and is also intended for the Chinese market. Compared to Mazda’s current SUVs, the Arata is less powerful and rounder. It looks sleeker and more linear and of course style details such as the grille edge highlighted with the brand name are not missing.

‘Ready for Europe’

We actually think the Arata is better than Mazda’s current SUV models. More modern and elegant, but still recognizable as a Mazda. Mazda remains tight-lipped about the Arata’s specs and technology. We assume that it has the same size as Mazda CX-30 and gets the same battery pack as the EZ-6. So we wonder what is stopping Mazda from bringing both cars to Europe and the Netherlands.