Our long-term Mazda6e swaps business trips for a 250-mile university drop-off this month. By Natalie Middleton.

P11D: £39,930  BiK: 4%  Official range: 348 miles  On fleet range: 280  Efficiency as tested: 3.8mpkWh

Report 2:

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Packing up for the university drop-off is one of the ultimate tests of any family car’s practicality – and one that our Mazda6e passed with aplomb this month.

This polished electric pseudo-saloon may play the part of the executive car well, but it hides a generous 466-litre boot and a clever 72-litre frunk perfect for hiding away extra gear.

This capacity was put to the test during our 250-mile round trip, which required accommodating four passengers and a mountain of luggage.

Said cargo included a large suitcase, two bulky bags of bedding, a box of food and a crate full of kitchen paraphernalia. Apparently, a set of pans, a suite of knives, cutlery and crockery, plus an entire complement of cooking accessories are ‘essential’ student gear, according to the university website – even if my son would be happier with a multipack of Pot Noodles and a fork.

Fortunately, the Mazda6e swallowed it all with ease, pulling off a neat magic trick thanks to its sleek saloon styling hiding a hatchback tailgate. Better still, the access is wide, the load lip is comfortably low and removing the parcel shelf is easy. Although the boot bay is relatively shallow in terms of depth, due to the high electric vehicle floor, it extends miles back, making it a maestro at fitting in large, flat items such as suitcases and flat-packed student gear. And you have that frunk space too.

The 6e blends all that capability with an interior that meant our journey was relaxed despite the excess of cargo and an impending drop-off with a deadline. With its plush Nappa leather, soft-touch materials and superb noise insulation, the cabin felt more like a premium executive lounge than a packed-to-the-roof removal van. More in the next report, but the Mazda is a masterpiece in balancing everyday practicality with premium comfort.

Despite being heavily laden, driven briskly to make our arrival slot and with the air con on full pelt during above-average temperatures, the Mazda showed commendable efficiency on the motorway. Charging was a breeze too. Amid university parking pandemonium, we decided to avoid the on-site 7kW chargers and managed to find a BP Pulse some 50 yards off our route back with an empty charger. While the charger didn’t hit the car’s 200kW peak, a rapid 11-minute stop dispensed 21.25kWh – comfortably ensuring our return leg. Accounting for the surplus when we got home, we managed to get 280 miles out of a full battery while averaging a solid 3.8mpkWh amid the demanding conditions.

First report:

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Our new long-term Mazda6e revives the name of a former fleet favourite, elevating its legacy straight into the era of electrification – and we have six months to see if it lives up to the hype.

Born out of Mazda’s collaboration with Chinese automotive giant Changan, the 6e pairs Japanese design philosophy with a proven electric vehicle platform.

While it’s based on Changan’s EPA1 architecture – the very same platform underpinning the Deepal SL03 and L07 under their 50/50 joint venture – this model (known domestically in China as the Mazda EZ-6) has been completely transformed. The exterior features sweeping Kodo design lines, innovative lighting and frameless windows. Coupled with a cabin that benefits from premium microsuede materials, it feels distinctly upmarket, instantly recognisable as a Mazda and has already clinched the 2026 World Car Design of the Year title. Our testing so far confirms it is an absolute head-turner.

Interestingly, as with the Volvo ES90 that it replaces on our long-term fleet, this is a hatchback hiding in a saloon’s body. This design trend is becoming increasingly common as carmakers seek aerodynamic efficiency to boost electric range without compromising on everyday practicality.

Housed under the cabin floor is a 78kWh LFP battery that, notably, is now also standard for the 6e across mainland Europe, moving away from the dual-battery strategy originally introduced. It’s good for a combined WLTP range of 348 miles.

What’s perhaps more pertinent given Mazda’s heritage is that there’s a rear-wheel-drive motor that produces 258hp and 290Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. It’s designed to channel the brand’s traditional Jinba Ittai driving dynamics, giving drivers a choice of three modes.

There are two grades available: Mazda’s familiar Takumi and Takumi Plus designations. We’re testing the latter, which pairs the range-wide full-length panoramic roof with an electric sunshade and adds premium tan Nappa leather with Artificial Suede Cloth woven fabric seat trim, along with a dedicated touchscreen for rear passengers to activate various functions.

Both models come with an array of tech, featuring some quite notable additions. We’re already a fan of the premium 14-speaker Sony sound system and the highly practical 360-degree camera system.

Throw in a sub-£40k price tag for both versions, and Mazda’s latest flagship packs a massive proposition for company car drivers that we’re looking forward to reviewing over the coming months.