Iconic family car axed: Mazda6 production ends for Australia but will the Mazda 6e electric car arrive to replace Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata rival?

Another blow dished out for the family sedan and wagon, Mazda has officially retired the iconic 6 after 22 years in market. 

For now, there is no Australian replacement confirmed for Mazda’s Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata rival, however the China-built hybrid 6e is the most likely replacement. 

During the Mazda6’s tenure, it notched up nearly 150,000 sales with record-setting 2005 making up 10 per cent of those deliveries. 

“We owe a lot to Mazda6 in helping to make the Mazda brand what it is today. Coinciding with the origins of our Zoom Zoom philosophy, its local introduction in 2002 contributed to a paradigm shift for the brand, and it immediately became widely praised as the benchmark for front-wheel drive dynamics and involvement,” said Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi. 

Mazda chalked up the 6’s production end in Australia to increased demand for SUVs along with the need to move to electrified solutions, such as the mild- and plug-in hybrid technology found in Mazda’s latest models like the CX-80. 

Though production has ceased Mazda Australia is holding stock of the current second-generation 6 that debuted in 2013. Our market is the last to bid farewell to the 6, following production stopping for North America, Japan and Europe.

2025 Mazda6 20th Anniversary (image: Glen Sullivan)

There is enough Mazda6 stock to get the brand through until around mid-year, including both sedan and wagon in Sport, Touring, GT SP, Atenza and 20th Anniversary flagship trims.

Engine offerings remain familiar, including the 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (Sport & Touring) along with a turbocharged version producing 173kW and 420Nm in  the upper trims. 

“As we bid a fond farewell to the Mazda6, its legacy will continue to live on as we move into the next phase of our future strategy,” said Bhindi. 

2025 Mazda 6e (UK only)

Although initially locked out of Australia, a UK launch of the Mazda EZ-6 and the 6e opens the door to a Mazda 6 replacement that could perfectly match demand. Mazda Australia will not be drawn on this as a replacement, however. 

With striking looks and plenty of intricate LED details, the long range battery electric Mazda 6e boasts a Tesla Model Y-rivalling 555km driving range (WLTP combined). A range-extender version is available in China, but is not offered in the UK.

2025 Mazda6 pricing

Prices listed are before on-road costs