Mazda has been looking for an electric hit for a long time. Now it may have found it – and in China. The new Mazda EZ-60 is an SUV that will not only compete with Tesla, but also flirt with it. Get ready.
Mazda for many years, it avoided serious electrification, like that uncle who still buys CDs. But then came the game Changan – a Chinese partner with knowledge, vision and a gigafactory of batteries. The result? Mazda EZ-60. SUV, which is no longer playing hide-and-seek. It looks like the future, drives like a Mazda, and promises to finally be the electric model that you won't be ashamed to drive past the Tesla Model Y.
A fusion of two worlds that could succeed
The EZ-60 is the result of a joint venture between Mazda and Changan, under which Deepal already operates – a Chinese sub-brand that produces EVs with surprisingly good engineering. If the name Deepal doesn’t sound familiar to you, don’t panic – Mazda has taken their S07 platform and dressed it up in its own design language. And very successfully.
The exterior is extremely dynamic: sharp lines, a taut grille and an interesting detail that you would previously expect on a sports coupe – flying rear pillars (“flying buttresses”). You really don’t see this on electric SUVs every day. In terms of dimensions, the EZ-60 is placed next to the Tesla Model Y, measuring around 4.8 meters in length and having a wheelbase of almost 2.9 meters. This means concrete spaciousness in the cabin and a feeling of premium presence on the road.
Now we know the inside – and it doesn't disappoint
Mazda finally revealed the interior of the EZ-60 a few days ago, delighting anyone who was worried that the Japanese touch would be lost. The ambience is modern yet warm. A large floating central display (probably 14.6 inches) dominates, and below it is an elegantly integrated set of switches that are not just for decoration – there are actually physical buttons for basic functions. The dashboard design is visually similar to the EZ-6, but with a greater emphasis on spaciousness and practicality.
Special praise goes to the choice of materials: soft surfaces, metal details, pleasant ambient lighting. The seats are comfortable and modern, and the digital gauges are clear, without unnecessary visual clutter.
Custom-made electricity – but not exactly surplus
Under the hood, there are two exciting choices. The first is an all-electric version with power output ranging from 190 to 218 horsepower (140–160 kW), which allows a range of up to 620 kilometers (385 miles) according to the Chinese CLTC standard – which in reality means around 500 kilometers by European standards. The battery pack is available in two sizes: 58.1 kWh and 66.8 kWh.
And here comes the first important one remark: for a vehicle of this size and ambition, the largest battery at 66.8 kWh is slightly below average. Main competitors such as the Tesla Model Y Long Range (75 kWh) or the Kia EV6 (77.4 kWh) offer more capacity – and thus more freedom.
The second comment concerns fast charging. The EZ-60 allows DC charging up to 120 kW, which in practice means about 30 minutes to charge from 30 % to 80 %. This is not bad, but not lightning fast either. Many competitors (Hyundai, Tesla, BMW) already exceed 200 kW, which means almost twice as fast waiting at the highway station.
There will also be a range-extender version – the 1.5-liter petrol engine only powers the battery and is not connected to the wheels. Mazda has not yet confirmed whether this version will even come to Europe. But if it does, it could be an interesting solution for those who still have “range stress”.
Tesla Model Y competitor or just an ambitious challenger?
By all indications, the EZ-60 is Mazda's most serious attempt yet to enter the electric midsize SUV segment. It takes direct aim at the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Ford Explorer EV. But this time, Mazda isn't just betting on emotion – it's also betting on technology and price.
In China, the Deepala S07 is expected to be priced between 180,000 and 210,000 yuan, which is between 23,000 and 27,000 euros. Of course, the European version (which will most likely be called the Mazda CX-6e) will be more expensive, but we can still expect a price below 45,000 euros. If Mazda hits that price point, the game is open. Also because it is limping in key areas.
Conclusion: The Mazda EZ-60 holds all the cards – will it finally win?
Mazda has long been considered a car brand for drivers – those who value a steering wheel, not just a screen. But with electrics, things got complicated. The MX-30 was an experiment with limited range and a rotary heart. Now comes the Mazda EZ-60 – modern, confident and concretely armed for a serious fight.
And while half of its DNA is Chinese, that's not necessarily a disadvantage. Deepal has shown that he can make a good EV, and Mazda adds driving dynamics, design sensibility, and arguably a better service network in Europe.
So is the EZ-60 the perfect electric SUV? Almost. With a slightly larger battery and faster charging, it would be an electric jackpot. But it already has what it takes to at least give Tesla a serious shake-up. And maybe – just maybe – offer that one real alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to drive the car everyone else has.
