Could Mazda’s EZ-6 Electric Sedan Come to the US?

• Mazda gets ready to offer the EZ-6 electric sedan in Europe, in addition to China where it is produced with automaker Changan in BEV and PHEV form.

• In BEV form, the electric sedan is promised with a range of up to 370 miles in the CLTC cycle, offering a single-motor RWD layout.

• Mazda calls the EZ-6 a "truly global" model, but any plans for a US launch (not intended at the moment) could face some headwinds due to significant tariffs.

Mazda took the wraps off the EZ-6 sedan back in April, revealing a roomy midsize four-door designed to compete with more than the Tesla Model 3 in its home market. That home market is China, as the EZ-6 is produced in a joint venture with Changan.

Not venturing far from the automaker's current design sketchbook, the EZ-6 was revealed in single-motor RWD flavor, promising a range of up to about 370 miles in the CLTC cycle. The EZ-6 also promised perfect 50:50 weight distribution, in addition to a multi-link suspension out back, with its long wheelbase buying rear-seat passengers plenty of legroom.

Mazda also promised something it calls Level 2.5 autonomous driving assistance, still requiring driver attention to the road unlike more advanced SAE Level 3 systems.

The EZ-6 won't be just an EV, as Mazda intends to offer it as a plug-in hybrid as well, with a combined range of 620 miles on a full tank.

On paper the EZ-6 looks like it has some qualities going for it (without knowing the price), especially for a brand that has not prioritized battery-electric powertrains, while currently offering two PHEV models stateside.

Of course, the same could be said for the Polestar 2, which has faced an uphill battle against the Tesla Model 3 since launching stateside some time ago.

Mazda recently withdrew the electric version of the MX-30 hatch after recording a tiny number of sales, even for a shorter-range EV.

"Going forward, Mazda will continue to work with Changan Automobile to turn Mazda’s China business around by introducing its unique products that meet the needs of Chinese customers who prefer advanced vehicles," Masahiro Moro, President & CEO of Mazda, said back in April.

Now Mazda plans to make the EZ-6 what it calls a "truly global" model, revealing plans to bring it to Europe amid a continuing boom in EV demand.

But chances of the EZ-6 landing on our shores are quite dim for now, for two major reasons.

First, the sedan will still be produced in China starting later this year, with the US having imposed hefty tariffs that have already delayed or canceled the plans of other automakers to offer China-built EVs stateside.

Mazda hasn't categorically closed the door on the EZ-6 appearing stateside at some point, simply because no one can predict what may happen with EV-aimed tariffs in the coming years. But for now this model is expected to tempt buyers in China and Europe starting in the fall.

Second, it has not been lost on industry observers that at some point Mazda will need a credible electric offering stateside, after the MX-30 turned out to be a sales dud whose range may have been acceptable a decade prior, but was definitely not up to par in the modern era.

But with an EV demand slump currently being observed stateside—one that has already done damage to the balance sheets of Tesla, Lucid, and others—we're not sure that now would have been a good time to bring yet another Model 3 competitor here even without the tariffs looming in the background.

For the moment, Mazda appears to be placing a heavier stake on plug-in hybrids in the US.

Could the EZ-6 be successful for Mazda if offered stateside, or would it face the same challenges seen by other Tesla Model 3 competitors? Let us know in the comments below.