Mazda has had a spotty record with EVs so far. Its first in-house effort, the MX-30, was hampered by tiny range and an odd package. Its next two offerings, the CX-6e and the 6e, have Mazda styling and fine-tuning, but they’re based on existing Chinese EVs. The automaker has insisted, though, that it has been working on a new internally-developed EV that would arrive as soon as 2027. Yet, it’s been incredibly tight-lipped about any other details.
So, we’re left to glean as much as we can from this latest set of spy shots showing Mazda’s EV test mule, which looks a lot like the last one we saw.
Mazda EV test muleCarBuzz / Valnet
At first glance, this test vehicle looks like Mazda’s CX-80 SUV for Europe and Japan. It’s a longer-wheelbase version of the CX-60 that adds a third row of seats, but is smaller than the American CX-70 and CX-90.
There are many weird aspects of it that make it clear this is just a shell hiding an EV platform. Up front, the entire front grille is blocked off, leaving just a small slit in the lower bumper, since an EV powertrain doesn’t need so much cooling.
Mazda EV test mule from the sideCarBuzz / Valnet
The track width is also too narrow for the CX-80’s body, suggesting that Mazda is testing something that will be noticeably smaller than its biggest SUVs. Being an EV, though, even a smaller vehicle can have a long wheelbase, thus Mazda probably needed an SUV shell. However, it’s still not a perfect fit, which is evident by how the front wheel well is located slightly rearward of the CX-80’s opening.
Mazda EV test mule from the rear three-quarter angleCarBuzz / Valnet
This mule also features wheels we haven’t seen on any other current Mazdas. While they look like fairly typical split 5-spoke wheels, the outer rim fills in much of the wheel design, likely to improve aerodynamics while retaining a somewhat conventional look. We’re not expecting them to make production, though.
Funny enough, this might be the second time we’ve seen this particular prototype. Almost exactly a year ago, we saw a prototype like this, even down to the wheel colors, testing in California along with a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and a Tesla Model Y.
Mazda EV test mule from the frontCarBuzz / Valnet
Those competitors would suggest the production model Mazda has in mind would be an SUV a tad smaller than its CX-90 and CX-60 models. Just before seeing the prototype last year, though, a Mazda executive said that they were still finalizing exactly what kind of vehicle the electric model would be.
Mazda EV test mule from the rearCarBuzz / Valnet
He said that regulations would likely determine some of the details about whether it would be a volume seller, or something more unique and likely lower selling. At least with regard to the US market, Mazda could probably go with the latter option, since our emissions regulations are being rolled back. Plus, Mazda has the CX-6e and 6e in Europe to help fill up volume, so a lower-volume vehicle could still work there.
Close-up of the Mazda EV test mule dashboard through the windowCarBuzz / Valnet
One other thing that the executive mentioned was that he found the new model to have a real jinba ittai feel. That’s the Japanese phrase meaning the feeling of a horse and rider as one, and it was one of the core principals Mazda had in mind when developing the original Miata.
Mazda EV test mule from the front three-quarter angleCarBuzz / Valnet
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
In the years since the MX-30 launched, the need for a car company to have highly competitive EVs to stay relevant has waned a bit. The market seems to be adopting hybrids much more enthusiastically than EVs. Still, electric power is likely where the industry is headed in the long term, so it’s important for Mazda to be ready.
All of this means that Mazda can focus on making an impressive EV that can lay the groundwork for future models and make everyone forget about the misstep that was the MX-30.
