A Sexy New EV from Mazda… but will you ever drive one?
When it comes to all-electric vehicles, Mazda has not offered a truly competitive EV. Its first all-electric vehicle was the MX-30 crossover that was only offered in California and Canada from 2022 to 2024. The MX-30 was discontinued due to extremely low sales (less than 500 in the US) and sub-par 99 EPA estimated miles EV range when many competitors were offering over 250 miles.
In North America, Mazda has yet to offer a fully electric model to compete with popular EVs like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, in other markets, Mazda is starting to show some serious EV innovations.
At the recent Shanghai Auto Show, Mazda revealed its second EV for the Chinese, European, and Australian markets - the new EZ-60 crossover SUV. Amazingly, only 48 hours after its reveal, Mazda had 10,000 pre-orders for the EZ-60. It could be a sign of things to come from Mazda for North America and global markets.
Necessary EV Partnerships
Many Western legacy automakers are playing catch-up with Chinese automakers such as BYD and Geely. Currently, the top Chinese brands offer world-class EVs with class leading efficiency, benchmark range, and super-fast charging speeds. Those vehicles also offer high quality, a low production cost, and a much lower purchase price than legacy automakers can offer.
Some automakers are taking the “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach. Brands like Tesla, Audi, GM, and even Toyota are partnering with Chinese automakers to offer EV models in the Chinese domestic market as well as European and Asian markets. The partnerships not only provide access to Chinese and other markets, but legacy automakers can take what they learn back to develop their own in-house EVs for global markets.
Mazda has entered a joint venture with Chinese automaker, Changan. The partnership has produced two EVs: the EZ-6 sedan and the new EZ-60 crossover SUV, both of which are based on Changan’s existing EV models.
What Drives this Thing?
The EZ-60 is an all-electric vehicle with a unique battery range extender feature. The crossover SUV pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5L gasoline engine producing 97 horsepower with a single 255 horsepower electric motor. Interestingly, the gasoline engine is not used to drive the wheels as in a hybrid. Rather it acts as a generator to create electricity for the battery and electric motor. Think of this system as a range extender.
The EZ-60’s electric range is about 88 miles on the Chinese Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). At the more conservative US EPA cycle, this equates to roughly 57 miles of all-electric range. Total driving range with gas and electric combined is about 600 miles on the CLTC cycle, or about 390 miles on the EPA cycle.
Mazda has yet to reveal details of the production model’s range. However, the automaker says it expects an EPA rating of around 241 miles. A long-range version will use a larger 80 kWh battery with a peak DC charging speed of 193 kW, capable of charging the EZ-60 from 30 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
Only available in rear-wheel drive, the crossover features a 50/50 weight distribution, strut suspension up front and multi-link in the rear with electronically controlled dampers.
Future plus Soul Design
Mazda calls the EZ-60’s design “Future + Soul x Modern”, which combines elegant styling with modern forms that evoke a new lifestyle image.
This is one good- looking crossover from every angle. In many ways it appears as a more modern CX-5 or a Mazda 3 hatchback turned into a larger crossover. At about 190 inches, the EZ-60 is about 10 inches longer than a CX-5.
Up front is a modern take of the Mazda signature face. An LED daytime running light strip integrates the signature headlights and forms the outline of Mazda’s trapezoidal grille shape. The new Mazda logo lights up to complete the look. The front bumper provides an aggressive and sporty visage, giving the EZ-60 a wide stance. Even the hood is a bit of an illusion, with an upright air passage revealing a more sloped hood underneath, similar to what’s seen on the Dodge Charger Daytona and Polestar 3.
Along the swooping side profile is a high window beltline, plus large, flared wheel arches, and a blackened-out roof that contrasts nicely with the body color. The D-pillar is a more modern and stylish take on the existing Mazda design and hides an air passage for better airflow and aerodynamics.
The curvy D-pillar gives way to a curved glass area at the rear. Slim separated LED taillights with signature Mazda touches accent the rear. A large flat body-colored panel gives the EZ-60 a clean and uninterrupted look. In fact, there are no side mirrors to reduce drag; they have been replaced with sleek video cameras.
On the Inside
Mazda has taken a digital page out of Tesla’s playbook by offering a minimalist interior but adds Mazda’s premium touches.
There are no hard button controls. All controls are operated by a huge 26.45-inch 5K flat-panel center display that’s ultra-wide with dual screens for driver and passenger operation. There’s also a gigantic 100-inch augmented reality 3D head’s-up display that projects key driving information onto the windshield.
In keeping with Mazda’s premium approach, the interior is adorned with high quality touches, such as soft touch materials, a 23-speaker 3D sound system, a total of six screens, digital rearview mirrors, dedicated control screens for rear passengers, and a whopping 20 storage compartments.
Yes, it has a front trunk (frunk). The rear trunk is a large 12 cubic feet in size that expands to 71.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
An Indication of Mazda’s EV Future
Mazda is often criticized for being an EV laggard in North America. However, the EZ-60 joint-venture with Changan is certainly an indication of what’s to come from Mazda. Like other legacy automakers, Mazda is likely to learn from this partnership and apply it to its own in-house line-up of EVs planned for 2027.
As of this writing, it’s unlikely that the Mazda EZ-60 will come to America anytime soon. There’s no official word from Mazda. However, as the EZ-60 will be available in Europe and Australia, it’s an indication of Mazda’s EV progress and intentions in global markets. And perhaps an indication of Mazda’s EV future for North America.
