Mazda is enhancing its electric vehicle strategy through a strengthened partnership with Chinese automaker Changan, culminating in the introduction of the EZ-60, a fully electric SUV. This model was recently unveiled on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, and it follows the earlier launch of the EZ-6 sedan. The EZ-60 is anticipated to be marketed outside of China as the CX-6e.
The new SUV is essentially a production variant of the Arata concept, signalling Mazda’s commitment to competing in the rapidly expanding electric SUV segment. This initiative is particularly significant given that the brand’s previous electric offering, the MX-30, did not achieve substantial market success.
Visually, the EZ-60 features a sleek and contemporary design, including distinctive flying buttresses—an uncommon element for vehicles in this category. Additionally, the SUV incorporates side cameras in place of traditional side mirrors, a technology that has been permissible on Chinese production vehicles for approximately two years.
Manufactured under the Changan-Mazda joint venture—an equal partnership that has been in place for over a decade—the EZ-60 shares its foundational architecture with the Deepal S07, an electric SUV produced by Changan’s EV subsidiary, Deepal. Reports indicate that the EZ-60 will be available in two variants: a fully electric model and a range-extending version that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric drivetrain. However, it remains unclear whether this range-extending variant will be marketed in European regions. Outside of China, Mazda is currently offering the EZ-6 sedan exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle.
Details regarding the interior of the EZ-60 are slated to be unveiled at the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2025 motor show later this month. Incorporating industry speculation, it is expected that the cabin design will resemble that of the EZ-6, which features a minimalist interior highlighted by a large central touchscreen and limited physical controls. The materials used within the sedan’s interior are reportedly more premium than those found in its Chinese counterpart, and it is likely that the SUV will follow a similar path.
The introduction of the EZ-60 represents a significant advancement in Mazda’s initiative to transition towards a more sustainable product range. Looking to the future, the company is considering the launch of additional models under its joint venture with Changan, with plans tentatively set for releases between 2028 and 2030.
Alongside its collaborations in China, Mazda is also developing a dedicated electric vehicle platform, with the first model anticipated to debut in 2027. Further models based on this platform are projected to emerge before the end of the decade.
Meanwhile, the MX-30 continues to be available in various markets, despite its withdrawal from North America. Depending on the region, this compact SUV is offered in several configurations, including a fully electric model, a range-extending variant featuring a rotary engine, and a mild hybrid version equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
Mazda’s expanding collaboration with Changan is proving to be a crucial component of its electrification strategy, positioning the EZ-60 to enhance the brand’s footprint in both the Chinese and global electric vehicle markets.
