Nissan Pathfinder vs Mazda 6E

What's the difference?

The Nissan Pathfinder has evolved over the years from what was quite a rough-and-tumble Ford Everest style vehicle to a remarkably plush three-row family SUV.

Although it took a while to reach Australia, when the fifth-generation version landed in late 2022 it was a huge leap over its predecessor. And yet it has been a relatively slow seller in Australia.

In the first half of 2024 only 405 were registered, less than a tenth of the segment benchmark Toyota Kluger (5861 sales).

This can be largely attributed to a lack of choice in the Pathfinder range, following Nissan culling entry-grade variants early on leaving only the relatively expensive Ti and Ti-L grades, both fitted with a V6 petrol engine. 

To increase customer choice, Nissan has reintroduced the ST-L mid-spec trim with the option of front-wheel drive for under $60,000, before on-road costs. But is it a good buy?

It’s fair to say Mazda didn’t exactly rush into the electric vehicle market with a flourish. Its first battery-powered offering, the MX-30, was a small SUV with a big price and it sold in small numbers.

But with EV sales on the rise in 2026, the timing is perfect for its second electric offering to land in Australia, and the Mazda 6e is a very different proposition to the MX-30.

The 6e is a mid-size sedan, with a very competitive price and it has plenty of influence from the booming Chinese EV industry. The 6e is a product of the long-time joint-venture between Mazda and Changan and is the first car built in China sold in Australia by the Japanese brand.

The 6e (which is known as the EZ-6 in China) shares its underpinnings with the Deepal L07, with Deepal being the electric brand for Changan Automobiles. 

So, can this second EV, with Chinese influence, help Mazda catch up lost ground in the electric car race? Read on to find out…