2026 Mazda CX-6e SUV set to undercut Tesla Model Y

Mazda is preparing aggressive pricing for its upcoming 2026 Mazda CX-6e electric SUV, targeting the heart of the market in a bid to take on the Tesla Model Y and avoid the missteps that have plagued other legacy carmakers’ EV launches.

Mazda has hinted its upcoming electric SUV, the CX-6e, will be priced under Australia’s best-selling EV, the Tesla Model Y, which starts from $58,900.

“You could broadly say… it’s probably between 40 and 60… narrow it down to 45 to 55,” Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi told carsales.

While he wouldn’t be drawn on specific pricing for the highly anticipated electric SUV, he did outline the pricing strategy.

“So from our point of view, it needs to be between that $45,000 to $55,000 range,” he said.

“When you think about where we’ve launched the 6e, it’ll be a step up from it, but it won’t be a significant step up.

Earlier this year, Mazda flagged its 6e electric sedan would come in below $55,000, ultimately landing at $49,990 before on-road costs, providing an early indication of how aggressively the brand is willing to price its crucial EVs.

The 6e sedan offers up to 560km of range and although local figures are yet to be confirmed, overseas versions of the Mazda CX-6e family SUV are expected to deliver just over 480km.

Rather than chasing premium buyers, Mazda is deliberately targeting the “mum and dad” market, those typically spending between $45K and $55K on a new car, in a move designed to drive broader EV adoption.

That positioning is crucial in a segment where several established carmakers have struggled to gain traction.

Models like the Toyota bZ4X have faced lukewarm demand despite price adjustments, highlighting the challenge of convincing traditional buyers to switch to electric.

Mazda believes it can avoid those pitfalls by focusing on delivering a familiar driving experience alongside competitive pricing.

Ensuring the CX-6e “feels like a Mazda” has also been a key priority, with the brand acknowledging that some EVs from legacy manufacturers have struggled to meet customer expectations in this area.

“We’ve already had our test run with MX-30 EV… we only imported 100,” Mazda Australia sales and marketing director Jarrod Gieschen said, describing the limited-release model as a learning exercise.

The MX-30 was a quirkier electric car that was discontinued after a short run. Similar in size to a CX-30, it had cork-trimmed interior finishes and a limited driving range of just 224km.

The CX-6e is due to arrive in Australia this year alongside the Mazda 6e sedan, with both models developed in partnership with their part-owned Chinese manufacturer, Changan Automobile.

Together, the pair will form the foundation of Mazda’s EV push, as the brand looks to move beyond early experiments like the MX-30 and establish a stronger foothold in Australia’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.

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