Testing the Mazda 6e

[Eccentric shaft]

All right. Went and did a test drive. Wanted to make up my own opinion about electric Mazdas & if you're going to have an opinion, better make sure it's an informed opinion.

Conclusion: I could survive if I had to convert to an electric Mazda. The 6e is comfy, roomy, good-looking, well-handling, super-smooth and responsive. It handles bad roads well, too. The fun factor, however, is sort of limited to the jack-rabbit start. You can have a bit of fun in sports mode once you have swithced off all the security (and suicide) features. Should probably add that, even when they are switched on, the "active" features on this car are kept on the discreet side. That goes for plings, beeps, as well as vibration warnings. No need to fight for control of the wheel at any point either, like in a Hyundai (cyclist-killer) or other less prestigeous e-cars...

In short, the 6e is smooth, swift, comfy, pleasant, heavy, and a bit dull. No matter how much I wanted to, I just couldn't shake this nagging feeling of being ever so slightly bored. Guess it says something that it felt really good to get back in the old CX30, playing a bit with "manual" gears and hearing that exhaust rasp again. Of course, had I been able to switch straight to the Rx2, I wouldn't ever have looked back... 

[clive]

OK while I am still not going to do the electric thing.

I have got to say I saw one in the dealers last week and with its suade interior it was the most luxurious interior I have ever seen 

[Eccentric shaft]

Agree! I should have taken a pic or two of that interior. Once you get used to the giant surf board where the gear level should normally be, it is a nice driving environment. Only sad that in this day and age cars are primarily calibrated to take you for a drive, rather than the other way around...