2026 Mazda 6e vs Tesla Model 3 vs Polestar 2 vs BYD Seal: Popular electric car rivals compared on the numbers

A new player has joined the all-electric passenger car game, with the Mazda 6e officially priced in Australia ahead of its impending launch. 

Now is a good time to look at how this new competitor shapes up to its primary rivals in the BYD Seal, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. 

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The established three players have had a few years to settle in, while Mazda’s EV will need to hit the ground running as the first of the brand’s renewed electric push, and a major part of its strategy to reduce its emissions as one of the manufacturers most exposed to Australia's new emissions laws.

Here is how the 6e compares to those it will need to take down if it is to be a success. 

Pricing 

	Price (before on-road costs)
Mazda 6e	$49,990
BYD Seal	$49,888
Polestar 2	$62,400
Tesla Model 3	$54,900

The 6e, which is a platform-share with the China-market Deepal L07, has been priced competitively.

It is virtually the same price as the BYD seal, while coming in at roughly $5000 cheaper than the Model 3 and more than $10000 cheaper than the Polestar 2. 

As you walk up the line-up for these cars the 6e’s up-spec model costs an additional $3000, which gets you leather and synthetic suede seats, a leather steering wheel, and a synthetic suede interior. 

The other trio’s pricing for higher trim models extends into the $60,000s, $70,000s and even $80,000 range for the Model 3, but with that comes much more gear, larger batteries and the addition of all-wheel drive. 

Dimensions

Dimensions	Mazda 6e	BYD Seal	Polestar 2	Tesla Model 3
Length	4921mm	4800mm	4606mm	4720mm
Width	1890mm	1875mm	1859mm	1850mm
Height	1485mm	1460mm	1479mm	1440mm
Wheelbase	2895mm	2920mm	2736mm	2875mm

The Mazda is the longest out of all its competitors, being closer in size to a large sedan rather than a mid-sizer.

Electric motor and efficiency

	Mazda 6e	BYD Seal	Polestar 2	Tesla Model 3
Electric motor	Single	Single	Single	Single
Power	190kW	150kW	200kW	208kW
Torque	290Nm	310Nm	490Nm	350Nm
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Battery	78kWh (LFP)	61kWh (LFP)	70kWh (NMC)	62kWh (LFP)
Driving range (WLTP)	560km	460km	456km	520km
DC charging 10-80 per cent	24 minutes	34 minutes	28 minutes	30 minutes (est.)

When it comes to power, the 6e lines up pretty closely to the rest of the pack of entry-level rivals, but it has the least grunt out of all of them.

The Mazda wins out on driving range, with its bigger battery offering 560km, which is more than the Tesla and significantly more than the Seal and Polestar 2, which have ranges in the 400km bracket.

There is not much in it on the charging front, but the 6e’s 10-80 per cent changing time takes the title on official numbers. 

All four cars have single rear-mounted motors. Unlike the 6e, the Seal, Polestar 2 and Model 3 all have options further up the scale for all-wheel drive. 

Standard features

	Mazda 6e	BYD Seal	Polestar 2	Tesla Model 3
Wheel size	19-inch	18-inch	19-inch	18-inch
Central touchscreen size	14.6-inch	15.6-inch	11.2-inch	15.3-inch
Digital driver display size	10.2-inch	10.2-inch	12.3-inch	N/A
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity	Wireless	Wireless	Wired	N/A
Speakers	14	12	8	9
Satellite navigation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wireless phone charging	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Seat material	Synthetic leather	Synthetic leather	Textile	Synthetic leather

The 6e boasts an impressive list of standard features, which includes a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital driver display, as well as synthetic leather seats, which are heated and ventilated in the front. 

The Seal’s touchscreen is bigger than the Mazda’s, and shares many of the same features, which in part explains the similar pricing of the pair. It does only have 18-inch wheels as standard like the Model 3 compared to the BYD Seal and Polestar 19-inches. 

If you’re keen to pump your tunes, the Mazda 6e’s has the biggest audio system out of its rivals, with its 14 speaker Sony system. 

Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on the 6e and the Seal, but the Polestar 2 only has a wired connection as standard, while the Model 3 does not have any such connectivity. 

Safety

Standard safety features for each car listed below:

Mazda 6e	BYD Seal	Polestar 2	Tesla Model 3
9 airbags Front and rear parking sensors 360-degree camera Blind spot monitoring Auto emergency braking Vehicle exit alert Lane departure warning Lane keep assist Adaptive cruise control	9 airbags Front and rear parking sensors 360-degree camera Adaptive cruise control Auto emergency braking Lane keep assist Lane departure warning Blind spot monitoring	8 airbags 360-degree camera Lane departure warning Lane keep assist Adaptive cruise control Front and rear parking sensors	8 airbags Lane departure warning Blind spot monitoring Front, rear and side cameras Lane keep assist Auto emergency braking

The Mazda 6e has not been crash tested yet, but its rivals have all achieved five-star ANCAP ratings.

All models have the standard safety gear you would expect from modern cars, with a high number of airbags and advanced driving assistance systems.

Verdict

The Mazda 6e seems priced just about right to ensure buyers give it some serious consideration in the segment. In an age where driving range remains the key question of any EV, sitting at the top of the pile means it is a compelling proposition. 

It will have a fight on its hands to eat into the sales of competitors which have been around for much longer than it and boast similar specifications and trim. 

Time will tell whether the 6e will have the desired impact Mazda needs it to have as it paves the way for future EVs from the brand.