The Mazda 6e has been named the 2026 World Car Design of the Year, with the announcement made on 1st April at the World Car Awards ceremony in New York. Voted on by 98 automotive journalists who assessed 90 eligible models, the accolade cements Mazda's reputation as one of the most design-forward manufacturers in the world — following previous wins for the MX-5 in 2016 and the Mazda3 in 2020.
The judges were drawn to the car's sculptural purity and the way its coupe silhouette sits effortlessly within Mazda's long-standing design language. The result is a beautifully proportioned saloon whose surfaces feel shaped by hand, not an algorithm.
Underpinning the design is the concept of "Authentic Modern" - a balance between organic, life-inspired forms and the restrained modernity expected of an electrified vehicle. This philosophy ensures the 6e looks progressive without abandoning the warmth and driver-focused character that Mazda calls Jinba-ittai: the feeling of oneness between driver and machine.
Originally launched in China as the EZ-6 in October 2024, the European 6e specification arrived in September 2025.
- Mazda