Mazda6e: A Human-Centric Overload That Forgets It’s Just a Car

The all-new, fully electric Mazda6e, expected to hit European showrooms in the summer of 2025, offers a “human-centric” experience that tries to turn every door-opening into a ritual and every button press into a moment of mindfulness. Mazda insists it’s more of a relationship than a machine. The question is: who exactly asked for that relationship?

The so-called omotenashi welcome begins the moment you approach the car: mirrors unfold, door handles extend, lights flash, the rear spoiler makes a delicate little gesture, and the seat slides back to let you in. If that’s not theatrical enough, the whole thing plays in reverse as you exit. It’s lovely—if you have the time and inclination to start every drive like you’re stepping on stage.

Inside awaits the Smart Cockpit, where every screen and control lines up to the driver’s gaze like obedient cadets. The head-up display is customizable and even includes a snow mode that adjusts the colors based on the weather. There are three visual styles to choose from, which is nice, though one gets the feeling Mazda assumes staring at screens is a driver’s primary task.

The center console features a 14.6-inch touchscreen with a smartphone-inspired interface—because what could be more intuitive than the thing we already wrestle with all day? Add in a 14-speaker Sony sound system, including one embedded in the front bumper so you can broadcast your playlist to the outside world.

Voice control in nine European languages? Naturally. Gesture recognition for when passengers are asleep? Of course. The whole concept reads more like stage direction than vehicle specification.

The navigation system naturally accounts for charging times and locations, and six tailored driving modes—from Car Wash Mode to Private Call Mode—turn everyday scenarios into curated vignettes at the push of a button.

And it doesn’t stop there. The companion app lets you control windows, cabin climate, charging schedules and more, while Bluetooth key sharing allows temporary access for your in-laws or anyone else you trust with this rolling extension of your personal brand.

Mazda6e sets out to prove that when technology bends around people, not the other way around, the result is seamless and deeply human. But at some point, all this thoughtful design risks tripping over its own performance—forgetting that sometimes, a car should just be a car.