A Rear-Wheel-Drive Mazda 6 Is Confirmed To Be In The Pipeline, And Here's How It Can Be A Viable Alternative To The Plethora Of SUV Models

Between EVs falling out of favor and the newly imposed tariffs by the Trump administration, it is a particularly turbulent time for car manufacturers, especially non-American ones. Mazda is one of the few carmakers that go against the grain.

For once, the Japanese car company did not succumb to the engine downsizing trend like most competitors did, and CEO Masahiro Moro, even wants to bring back the rotary engine for use in a multitude of body styles. Between the various bits of information regarding the future of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the long-awaited RX-7 rotary successor, the future of another popular model could be decided very soon.  

Mazda's CEO wants to push for a sporty sedan that's bigger than the Mazda 3, which means a Mazda 6 is still on the table. Yes, there have been many talks about a rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 over the last few years, and apparently, it depends on how well the brand's current SUV lineup does.

"We've got a really beautiful concept. We already have this idea. We are able to install a six-cylinder, but marketability remains a concern.”, says Moro in front of Car & Driver. Thanks largely to the SUV craze, the sedan market has shrunken, but there are still fans of the body style, and a good number of companies that offer it.  

After taking a thorough look at what Mazda's current arsenal is and what sedan buyers are looking at, here's how Mazda can make a rear-wheel-drive sedan work in today's market. 

Make it efficient, but give enthusiasts a performance variant 

Most sedan buyers tend to prioritize fuel efficiency and comfort over utility. Simply put, sedans are better at these two categories than SUVs. A case in point is the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, which feature the exact same underpinnings. Looking at the EPA ratings, when equipped with the same engine and drivetrain, the Giulia sedan gets 26 combined MPG (23 city/ 31 highway) versus the Stelvio SUV's 24 combined MPG (22 city/ 28 highway). 

The way I see it, Mazda should use the engine options from the CX-90, which is surprisingly driver-focused for an SUV. One of them is a very efficient, 2.5-liter PHEV system that covers the strict Euro 7 emissions standard, which will apply to all vehicles launched in November 2026 and after. The other one is a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six. Both engines work with Mazda's new eight-speed automatic, which replaces the six-speed torque converter. Both mills are also designed with a longitudinal setup in mind, as seen on the brand's larger SUV models. 

That same Mazda inline-six is something Toyota is currently showing interest in. We know there will be a sixth-generation Supra, and while initial reports suggested the new G20E engine will be paired with an electric motor for the iconic sports car, the latest reports indicate that the sixth-generation Toyota Supra might have an inline-six from Mazda. We are yet to see the 3.3-liter engine in a true performance application, but if Toyota goes through with this, some necessary tweaks will be made. 

There is only one choice for a platform 

Currently, Mazda has only one platform, able to accommodate a larger, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sedan. That is, unless Mazda decides to borrow tech from Toyota or another one of its partners. Mazda's “Large Product Group” platform currently underpins the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90 models, all of which are SUVs. This platform can easily be adapted for a sedan body style. It would be a shame if Mazda doesn't do it given how gorgeous the Mazda Vision Coupe is. 

Chinese car companies are becoming highly competitive in Europe, but the same will not happen in the US anytime soon 

Where a sporty Mazda 6 sedan could have a hard time making a dent is on the European market, where Chinese carmakers have already established a strong foothold while undercutting their rivals in terms of price. Essentially, the Chinese are doing in Europe what the Japanese and Korean car brands did in the US a couple of decades ago. Fortunately for US car companies, it doesn't seem likely that Chinese cars will see US shores anytime soon, especially with the recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.  

Meanwhile, the Chinese market has its own version of a new Mazda 6 – the EZ-6, which is essentially rebodied Deepal L07. Mazda EZ-6 will go on sale in Europe mid-2025, under the name Mazda 6e, but it will not be coming to the US. This could mean that the much-anticipated rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 could be sold only in certain Asian and Pacific markets, as well as the US.  

Would you like to see a more exciting Mazda 6, or are you firmly on the SUV bandwagon? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: Mazda Prototype Cars