Mazda Millenia Reviews

Everybody remembers the Mazda RX-7. With its sexy looks and turbine-smooth rotary engine, it (and the rotary Mazdas that went before it) has a cult following.But what about the RX-8? With its somewhat odd looks and layout (including small, reverse-opening rear doors) even a newer version of the rotary engine couldn’t really save it from obscurity. Relative to the RX-7, anyway.It’s hard to know, therefore, whether to categorise the RX-8 as a two or four-door and that’s a pretty good metaphor for the whole thing; people didn’t understand it then and have largely forgotten about it now.As a used-car, what the RX-8 mostly has to offer is a point of difference. That little rotary engine will spin happily from one end of the tachometer to the other and it’s an engaging car to drive provided you can live with a manual gearbox. In automatic form, the car lost power and was overall a bit dull.Beyond that, it’s another Japanese coupe that is now definitely middle-aged and potentially well past its best. Which means the purchase of a used one requires much skill and judgment.The RX-8 is known internally as the FE model.The RX-8’s biggest selling point (then and now) is its rotary engine. Unlike conventional engines with pistons moving up and down, the rotary uses rotating segments that make for supremely smooth operation and brilliant power relative to its capacity.If that floats your boat, the Mazda will appeal. But if you’re looking for the sort of style for which Japanese coupes are famous, then the odd looks of the RX-8 might be a disappointment.And even though the turbocharged rotary engine has earned a reputation as a giant-killer in performance terms, in the heavier RX-8 with its non-turbocharged engine, it’s not a remarkable performer at all. Entertaining, sure, but fast? No.Like all rotary-powered Mazdas, there’s a huge question mark over the long-term reliability, particularly under the bonnet. The rest of the package is less problematic, but a trashed engine in an RX-8 could easily cost more than the car is actually worth.While technically interesting and great fun to thrash along, the Mazda’s rotary engine can be a bit fragile. It requires very specific oil (some of which will be consumed in normal operation) and can wear very quickly, especially if it’s been driven hard or suffered maintenance neglect.Wear will show up as a loss of engine compression, so a compression test should be part of any pre-purchase inspection. Internal seals can wear and fail at which point the engine can be very difficult to start.Owners have also found out the hard way that the rotary engine (even in good condition) doesn’t like to be switched off until it has warmed up. If it has been switched off before attaining operating temperature, raw fuel can flood the engine, breaking the seal between the metal parts and causing a loss of compression and hard starting. It’s important to determine what’s causing any loss of compression, but in reality, every RX-8 engine needs to be approached with caution.The RX-8 also attracted a type of buyer who was keen to extract every ounce of performance out of the car. As such, crash damage is a real possibility. Check for any mis-match between panel colours and make sure all the panel gaps are straight and uniform. Take a close look underneath for evidence of damage and be very wary of any modified example. Many owners extracted huge power by modifying these engines, but the end result was often a hand grenade missing its pin.The RX-8 can also be hard on clutches, so make sure there’s no shuddering or slipping from the clutch when taking off.A full and up to date service record is an absolute must with a Mazda RX-8 and any modifications to the driveline must be checked closely.Beyond that, be sure to check that all the electrical gear works properly, including the air-conditioning as these units were a bit problematic back in the day and won’t be any better two decades on.Early build (2003 to 2005) RX-8s were recalled to check for a flawed front control arm that could crack, leading to a loss of steering and control. Apparently, a manufacturing flaw was to blame, but it definitely needs to have been examined back in the day. A Mazda dealer should be able to identify affected cars and whether they’ve been checked.Other recalls included potential fuel leaks, electrical problems, and, of course, the dreaded Takata airbag fiasco which saw the RX-8 recalled no less than three times.For more details on these recalls, you can check out: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/.The RX-8 to avoid is not determined by a production date, but rather by the transmission fitted. To make the revvy rotary engine work with an automatic transmission, Mazda detuned the engine for that version to make slightly more torque but a lot less horsepower.So, instead of 177kW, the automatic RX-8 delivered just 141kW, and the transmission itself is an old-fashioned four-speed unit.Aside from anything else, the idea of an automatic transmission behind such a rorty, zingy little engine is missing the point entirely.This is a real crap-shoot because, depending on how a particular car has been serviced and driven, the rotary engine can last 200,000km, or it could be dead inside 80,000km. The problem there is that you can’t always be sure of a car’s history when it’s a 20-year-old used car.Many RX-8s still getting around are on their second or even third engine, so a car’s history is absolutely vital in this case.You can safely ignore trim levels, because with this car, it all comes down to performance levels. If you’re buying a manual RX-8, then the first generation cars between 2003 and 2008 are the ones to look for. That’s because the facelift in 2008 brought with it a reduction in performance to 170kW in the six-speed manual variant.But, if it’s an automatic you need, then the post-facelift car is the way to go. That replaced the original RX-8’s 141kW with 158kW and the tired old four-speed auto with a much more suitable six-speed unit.We’d still always buy the manual RX-8, however.Prices for relatively high-mileage RX-8s start in the very low teens or even a bit less. The best standard cars can cost closer to $30,000 or even $40,000 depending on mileage and condition. It’s worth noting that, unlike most cars, a modified RX-8 is not always a cheaper alternative to a stock standard example. But be aware that engine mods are fraught with danger and will only be as good as the mechanic who did them.Although the rotary engine in the RX-8 was not identical to rotaries that went before it, it still falls within the scope of the enormous aftermarket this engine has spawned. There’s a universe of replacement and go-fast bits and pieces for the Mazda rotary.On the other hand, the RX-8’s body panels were unique to what was effectively a pretty niche model. So, some trim items and body panels might be getting a bit harder to find. A local race series for the RX-8 probably consumed its share of spare body panels, too.Mazda Australia sold about 6500 RX-8s across the model’s lifespan here. That means there aren’t exactly hundreds of them for sale at any given time and you may have to be patient to find the right one.Again, that local race series for RX-8 will have thinned the ranks of survivors.

Latest sales data shows buyers now prefer cheap EVs to budget petrol hatchbacks in Australia.More affordable EV models have hit the Aussie market in the last year, with Chinese brands putting forward competitive propositions.Cheap petrol-powered hatchbacks the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris used to be staples for first-car buyers, but it looks like that's starting to change.The electric-only BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2 are affordable routes into the electric car market for buyers, and its showing on the sales charts in 2026.The petrol- and hybrid-powered MG3 is the best-selling light car in Australia this year, but it's attracting competition from electric Chinese rivals. The Geely EX2 has had a bumper start to life in Australia since it went on sale in late July 2026.It's approaching nearly 2000 examples sold in a little over a month, compared to the MG3’s roughly 5500 across the year so far.In August alone, the EX2 held nearly 38 per cent of the market share in the light car segment. It was close to doubling the MG3’s August total, while it was confidently ahead of the petrol-only Mazda2. Its success is in part due to the fulfilment of extensive pre-orders.Geely's Director of Product Planning and Marketing Andrew Tuitahi recently told CarsGuide small EVs like the EX2 were showing promising signs of reigniting interest in the light car segment.“So a lot of the compromises that you typically make if you were going to buy a b-segment or a light hatchback - things like drivetrain, power, performance, safety, style, you know, space - a lot of those things are solved with a battery electric platform," Tuitahi said.“So I think consumers are able to prioritise maybe some features by sacrificing a segment, but still getting that same space.”It’s not just EX2 that is shaking up the established affordable car segment. The BYD Atto 1 is still the cheapest electric car on sale in Australia, and owns nearly 20 per cent of the light car segment in 2026 so far. The Atto 1 and EX2’s rise has been at the expense of its petrol competition.The MG3’s August represented a more than 80 per cent increase on July, but it was still a way off the EX2. Its sales so far in 2026 are down nearly 11 per cent compared to August 2025. The Toyota Yaris hybrid has experienced a near 30 per cent decline year-to-date in AustraliaThe new wave of affordable EVs are also beating its petrol competitors on price. Buyers may have previously felt priced out by the extra money an EV cost, but the tides are turning.The Atto 1’s $23,990 price tag undercuts the Mazda2 ($27,290) and Toyota Yaris ($29,190), all before on-roads.In addition to fast and cheap EV production cycles from China, brands must contend with fines for petrol-powered models under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).Mazda increased the price of its entire range, including the Mazda2 earlier this year, while the Toyota Yaris became a hybrid-only model in 2024, ditching cheaper petrol variants. MG is currently offering the MG3 with a $19,990 drive-away deal, with it previously available from $21,990. If buyers want a hybrid variant of the MG3, it costs an extra roughly $8000, making it more expensive than the fully-electric Atto 1 and EX2.  

Mazda hasn’t forgotten the little things.Most carmakers are moving away from little hatchbacks as sales dwindle as buyers jump into SUVs instead.Mazda has stayed true to its roots by refreshing its ageing Mazda2 instead of tossing it into the too hard basket, giving new and urban drivers a quality choice of wheels.The 2 is no longer the sub-$20,000 proposition it once was with the base Evolve grade tested here starting at $27,290 (before on-road costs). The better-equipped GT grade adds $1200 to the price, and you can get the GT in sedan form for the same price.That makes it about $2000 cheaper than the most affordable Toyota Yaris, which has the added benefit of hybrid power, and about $3000 thriftier than the Volkswagen Polo.A new wave of Chinese machines undercut it, with the MG3 about $7000 cheaper, while even BYD’s electric Atto 1 costs about $5000 less.Relying on purely petrol power the Mazda2 shows its age without any form of electrification in an era when hybrid is king and electric is the wannabe usurper.It uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that makes 81kW and 142Nm, matched to a conventional six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.Mazda claims it drinks just 5.0 litres of the cheapest petrol per 100km.Rival hybrids slash at least 1.0L/100km off that figure and deliver more zip from the petrol-electric combo.The 2 is a handsome machine, and has its competitors beat for design. It wears Mazda’s trademark features with an elegance long gone from small cars.Buyers can expect 16-inch black alloy wheels, LED headlights with auto on and off feature, auto folding black side mirrors, chrome exhaust and a little body coloured garnish in the front grille.Step inside and you’re greeted by a cabin that hasn’t been corrupted by modern distractions.A 7.0-inch multimedia display is small by modern standards, but that’s probably a good thing for young drivers.It is controlled via the touchscreen or rotary dial in the centre console when stationary, with touchscreen controls taken away when moving. The idea being you keep your eyes on the road more.The rotary dial is a bit of overkill as the screen controls so few functions that a touchscreen would suffice.It comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, digital radio and in-built sat nav.The driver’s instruments are analogue with just an old school digital readout that gives Casio watch vibes for some functions.A head-up display is one of the most useful features in modern cars, and a must for new and experienced drivers alike.Mazda’s head-up display uses a little folding clear screen to project vital information such as travelling speed, posted speed limit and some safety warnings in front of the driver in an easy to view and read spot.Passengers are greeted by black cloth-wrapped seats with red contrast stitching that are well cushioned and comfortable enough for long drives. The GT grade ups the ante with synthetic leather and suede upholstery.A leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and hand brake give it a more premium feel.Well placed and easy to read steering wheel buttons for volume, multimedia, cruise control and answering the phone are a win for users.There are physical dials for climate functions that are easy to use on the go and a pair of USB-A ports up front so modern phone users beware you’ll need a different charging cord or adapter.A physical handbrake means storage options in the centre console don’t go much further than two cupholders and very small storage bin. This is a little car, so storage options in general are limited.This extends to the rear seat, which is cramped and best suited for only two adults and long-legged humans might struggle on longer trips.Front facing child seats can fit easily but rear facing or capsule seats will severely restrict front-seat passengers.The boot is mini at just 250 litres, so think moderate weekly shop or a few overnight bags. If you need more the sedan ups it to a substantial 440 litres. You can fold down the back seat in both to liberate more space.It does have a space-saver spare tyre under the boot floor, which is a positive.The Mazda2 is one of the most compact machines you can buy at 4085mm long, 1695mm wide, 1495mm tall and with a wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear axles - of 2570mm.You’ll feel tiny on the road, with dual-cab utes and large SUVs towering over you, but in urban environments, tight city streets and underground carparks, the size difference pays off with easy commuting and access to parking spots others just drive right by.It is a commendable city driver that feels most at home in traffic and city streets, as it feels a little breathless and lightweight on motorways.The small engine is perfect for urban driving but you’ll need to work it hard to get up to speed with power delivered very high in the rev range. This means you’ll hear the engine revving to the sky when you accelerate.It feels asthmatic when travelling up steep hills with the car noticeably struggling on the sizeable inclines in and around Sydney. In flatter cities such as Melbourne or Adelaide you’d barely notice it running out of puff.It is a great little car to steer, with great feedback, well balanced, direct and responsive steering.It is light, so you’ll feel bumps and lumps along the way but it does a great job of ironing out the road imperfections for a little machine.Road noise is intrusive at higher speeds and on coarse chips roads, but mostly it is composed and refined.Mazda’s driver’s side mirror is magnified, which takes some getting used to and the jury is still out if it is absolutely necessary.All driver aids work as advertised.The car automatically applying the brakes if it detects a potential collision, it’ll warn you if something is in your blind spot or if a car is approaching from the side as you reverse and an array of sensors will help keep you centred in your lane.Mazda backs it cars with a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is par for the course these days and quickly becoming a subpar package as more brands switch to seven, eight or ten-year guarantees.Seven years of capped price servicing will cost $3286, which is pricey compared to the rival Toyota Yaris. Owners need to visit the workshop every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Mazda’s next-generation CX-3 is confirmed for production as soon as 2027, and is an important part of the brand’s turn-around strategy.The CX-3 is part of a wide-ranging renewal strategy for Mazda which kicked off with the latest CX-5 and China-built 6e and CX-6e.It most recently appearing in a shadowy preview in a slide deck accompanying the brand’s latest (and somewhat dire) financial figures.Now, this shadowy preview has been brought to life thanks to YouTube channel AutoYa, which frequently posts renders of upcoming new models based on available imagery.It combines the shape of the shadowy preview with the design cues of the existing Vision X Compact concept shown in 2025 to preview the new small car family, as well as including elements of the CX-6e and new CX-5.The channel has also taken the liberty to imagine the interior as a shrunken down version of the new CX-5’s interior, albeit with a smaller set of screens.What we can tell you about the CX-3 is that it will be built in Thailand (like the current model), which is an advantage for the Australian market as it will be cheaper to build and ship here and will naturally be in built in right-hand drive.It will be the first new-generation CX-3 in 12 years after a long run of facelifts and model year updates for the still-popular crossover.It will also be an important model for Mazda as it fights off newer competition, including an upcoming next-generation Hyundai Kona, and aggressive new manufacturers from China like Jaecoo with its J5 and BYD with its Atto 2.As per the brand’s current new model strategy, it is expected the new small SUV will be available in both combustion and plugless hybrid forms. It is expected to use Mazda’s new in-house SkyActiv-Z technology, as opposed to using a Toyota-sourced system like the US-market CX-50.This system will debut on the CX-5, although the company has said it is not due in Australia until 2028.By then, the lack of electrification across Mazda’s range will be causing the brand significant issues with Australia’s new vehicle efficiency laws (NVES), which impose fines on automakers whose fleet CO2 emissions are above a certain threshold.Mazda is one of the most exposed manufacturers under the new rules. It is a big part of the reason the company has been so quick to the market with its Chinese joint-venture 6e and CX-6e, and plans to offer them with very competitive pricing.Meanwhile the company told CarsGuide in 2025 that its ‘small architecture cars’ like the Mazda 2 and CX-3 would be its next priority after its CX-5 plans come to fruition.The current Mazda 2 and CX-3 are slated to continue in Australia, at least until the new CX-3 debuts in 2027. The future of the related Mazda 2 remains uncertain, although the Vision X concept shown in 2025 at Tokyo was notably a hatchback, not an SUV.In other recent news from Mazda on the small car front, reports out of Japan claim the next-generation CX-30 is set to debut in 2030, 11 years after the current and original version launched.Little is known about the upcoming CX-30 replacement, other than it is also slated to adopt SkyActiv-Z hybrid tech, and that CEO Katsuhiro Moro said the car will adopt cost-saving measures first introduced in the CX-5 for the new model to keep it price competitive.

The new-generation Mazda CX-5 is here but with rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 offering hybrid power, is the CX-5 missing a trick?

Japan’s carmakers are finding ways to fight back against the growing might of Chinese auto brands.Outside of Toyota most Japanese carmakers are not big enough, or rich enough, to balloon out to the size of some of the new Chinese powerhouses.Relatively small manufacturers such as Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru don’t have the resources to overhaul their collective ranges and invest in electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid technology all at once.Instead they are borrowing from others. Subaru joined forces with Toyota to build EVs, Mazda with China’s Changan and Mitsubishi with Taiwan's Foxtron, the latter is part of the company that builds iPhones.They now have the tech but predicting demand for electric cars is proving difficult for all manufacturers.Mazda and Subaru have found the solution.Mazda is developing a new way of producing cars that would allow one production line to make internal-combustion engined vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles depending on demand.Subaru is also working on flexible production lines to help it make the most of its modest production resources, without having to build new factories or re-tool old ones.This would help the pair adjust to lulls in EV demand without having to mothball production lines, which has impacted other major makers such as Ford and Volkswagen.Subaru Managing Executive Officer Ikuo Watanabe told US outlet Autonews it would be able to adapt to changes in tariffs of exchange rate fluctuations to shuffle production between factories around the world.“Demand trends are uncertain and we cannot predict which powertrain, battery-electric, hybrid or internal combustion engine, will sell well and when,” Watanabe said. “Making an investment decision on one specific technology poses the greatest risk.”Mazda has pushed back its own in-house developed electric cars until 2029, with it instead relying on Changan’s production to deliver its reskinned EVs. Hybrid versions of its CX-5 SUV won’t arrive in the US until late 2027 before rolling out to other markets, including Australia.But it already has a plan in place to build all its different powered vehicles on the same line when they are available towards the end of the decade.Former Toyota boss and now head of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Koji Sato recently called for the country’s carmakers to join forces or risk oblivion, according to Autonews.“Unless things change, we will not survive,” Sato said. He is calling for all brands to have uniform parts to help reduce costs and complexity across the industry.Japan’s automakers believe this will help them tackle China’s scale and speed.

Overnight reports out of Japan are pointing to a new-generation Mazda CX-30 arriving in 2030, which would make the current, first-generation model 11 years old on replacement.According to Chugoku Shimbun Mazda plans to launch the new CX-30 by fiscal year 2030 (the Japanese financial year runs from April 1 to March 31 the following year) with the aim of retaining its position as the brand’s second best-selling model globally, behind the CX-5.Introduced in Europe in late 2019 and arriving in Australia early the following year, the Mazda 3-based compact CX-30 was developed to fill the gap between the small CX-3 and medium CX-5 in Mazda’s now extensive SUV line-up.Mazda President and CEO Katsuhiro Moro told the Hiroshima-based outlet the company is aiming to strengthen the CX-30’s product appeal, noting that to reduce costs “we will incorporate the methods used in the new CX-5 into the next-generation CX-30".In 2025, Mazda sold just over 200,000 examples of the CX-30 worldwide, putting it in a clear second spot behind the CX-5 at around 350,000 units.It’s worth noting Mazda’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Guyton told CarsGuide at the 2025 Tokyo motor show the brand’s next-generation “smaller architecture cars”  were the next priority after the brand finishes its hybrid development.By 2027 Mazda plans to add its next-generation ‘Skyactiv-Z’ internal combustion engine and proprietary hybrid system to the recently renewed CX-5, with two more hybrid models set to follow soon after.Currently produced in Mazda’s main Ujina plant in Hiroshima City, the CX-30 is also produced in Hofu City, as well as in Mexico, Thailand and China with CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly in Malaysia and Indonesia.Early Australian CX-30 production came out of Thailand but local examples have been Japan-built since mid-2020 and it’s likely the new model, with a likely hybrid powertrain option, will follow suit.

Mazda’s slow roll out of its long-awaited hybrid technology is hurting its CX-5 sales, according to reports.The Japanese giant launched the CX-5, its biggest selling model in two of its largest markets - the US and Australia, this year.Sales have not lived up to the hype so far, with the SUV launching with just petrol power and the hybrid alternative not arriving until late 2027 in the US and likely 2028 in Australia.In the US, sales of the CX-5 have dipped 23 per cent since the model went on sale, according to Nikkei Asia.Mazda US is blaming insufficient stock for the sales blip, but sales of the similar-sized hybrid CX-50 — which uses Toyota's hybrid tech — have skyrocketed during the same period, according to reports.July was the first full month of sales of the new CX-5 in Australia, with sales flat compared to the same month in 2025.This might also be the result of stock not flowing freely just yet, but buyers could also be running to snatch up hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives.Sales of hybrid SUVs are up about 13 per cent this year, and plug-in hybrids have jumped almost 200 per cent.Petrol SUV registrations have shed a quarter of sales compared to 2025… read into that what you will.Mazda has always been open about the timing of its new hybrid technology and decided against installing someone else’s petrol-electric set-up in favour of developing its own in-house unit for the CX-5.At the 2025 Tokyo motor show, Mazda’s Managing Executive Officer in charge of Vehicle Development, Product Development, Design and Cost Innovation Naohito Saga said there were no technical issues developing the new hybrid tech but the delay was due to regulatory reasons both within Mazda and global markets.“We need a certain period of development timing, that is why,” said Saga through a translator.“Basically CX-5 will be introduced in Europe and US, so those stringent regulations we need to comply with."Mazda is also aiming to make the new CX-5 Hybrid sweeter to drive than any Toyota.“ Different characteristics . Because what we aim for is the Mazda driving feeling, which is the good feeling when you drive. That is what we are aiming for, so it will be different,” said Saga.When the hybrid does arrive it should be the pick of the litter, with performance to surpass the now defunct turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine of the previous generation.Mazda Australia won’t just offer the hybrid in the priciest versions, but will have a broad offering across its grades, according to local boss Vinesh Bhindi.

Australia's top 10 sales list looks very different when automotive groups are counted together, with Hyundai and Kia rocketing up the charts and Chinese companies taking out four places in total.While vehicles might wear different names, often they are owned by the same company, such as the Volkswagen Group with VW, Skoda, Cupra, Audi and more, Toyota with Toyota and Lexuz, or Geely with Geely, Zeekr, Polestar and Lotus.Counted as groups with a single corporate owner rather than as individual brands –which, it must be pointed out, is not how Australia's official body counts sales, making this more an experiment than anything else – and the sales results look very different.At the close of July, for example, Toyota led the YTD sales charts with a total 115,550 sales. BYD nabbed second spot, with 60,192 sales, followed by Ford, Kia and Mazda, with 48,696, 48,399 and 46,960 sales. Hyundai, GWM, Chery, Tesla and Mitsubishi round out the top 10.But counting group totals rather than individual brands paints a very different picture. Toyota and Lexus still comfortably hold top spot, with 122,902 sales, but it's the Hyundai Group (Hyundai and Kia) which take second spot, with a combined 94,113. Next comes the BYD Group (BYD and Denza) with 62,885. Ford and Mazda hold onto spots four and five, even as individual players.It's spot six through 10 where things get interesting, with the Chery Group (Chery, Omoda Jaecoo) storming into spot number six with 40,522 sales. GWM remains in spot seven, while the Geely Group arrives in the top 10 with 28,089 total sales. Mitsubishi and MG (the fifth Chinese brand/group inside this new top 10) fill spots eight and nine.For Chery, the July result was enough to elevate the group to spot number four for the month – a result which did not go unnoticed at HQ."Becoming the fourth largest automotive group in Australia is a significant achievement and demonstrates how strongly Australian consumers have embraced both Chery and Omoda Jaecoo," said Lewis Lu, CEO of Chery Motor Australia.   

Sales of Mazda’s Tesla Model 3 rival are now fully on tap in Australia and we finally have an understanding of how it’s stacking up on the sales chart.As detailed in the latest VFACTS sales report, Mazda sold a total of 283 examples of the 6e electric liftback during July in Australia.This is off the back of the Japanese carmaker selling 28 examples of the 6e in June.Mazda has only reported two months of 6e sales in Australia so far and the figures may be higher than usual due to initial customer backlogs and demonstrator coverage across its dealer network. This will likely equalise over the coming months, giving a clear picture of demand and sales.Tesla sold a total of 134 examples of the Model 3 electric sedan in July, as detailed in the latest EV Council sales report. This is down 63 per cent compared to July 2025.Until the end of July a total of 3326 Model 3 examples were sold, which is down 18.4 per cent year-on-year.BYD, on the other hand, sold a total of 394 examples of the Seal electric sedan in July. This is up 44.3 per cent compared to July 2025.Until the end of July a total 3048 Seal examples were sold, which is up 62 per cent year-on-year.The Mazda 6e liftback is the Japanese carmaker’s second electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, following the niche MX-30 EV SUV that was offered earlier this decade.It’s produced in China in partnership with its joint venture Changan Mazda. It shares its platform with the Deepal SL03.Two versions of the 6e are offered in Australia – GT and Atenza. Pricing starts from $49,990 before on-road costs.All versions are powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 190kW and 290Nm. This is fed by a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that allows for up to 560km of WLTP-claimed range.Following the launch of the 6e electric liftback, it’s soon launching an SUV counterpart called the CX-6e. Like the 6e, it’s made in China in partnership with Changan Mazda.Two versions of the CX-6e are set to be offered – GT and Azami. Pricing starts from $53,990 before on-road costs, which is $4000 more than the 6e. Despite this, SUVs sell in much higher volumes than passenger cars (sedans, liftbacks and hatchbacks) in Australia.For context, Tesla has sold a total of 25,040 examples of the Model Y/Model Y L in Australia so far this year. It’s by far the best-selling EV and the third best-selling car overall, behind only the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.With this in mind, it’s likely that Mazda will have higher sales of the CX-6e electric SUV than the 6e electric liftback. We’ll have to wait and see how it stacks up once it properly launches.