The 2025 Mazda 6 Sedan: Everything You Need to Know

A trademark application suggests it could be arriving soon.

Published March 20, 2024

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Updated March 21, 2024

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A couple years back, Mazda was reportedly working on an awesome new rear-wheel-drive performance sedan that would get a huge jump in power and replace the outgoing Mazda 6. That project was purportedly put on ice for North America, with Mazda executives ruling out the proposed car. Now, however, it seems a premium Mazda 6 replacement may be back on again.

Here’s what we know so far.

The CX-90’s success may have caused Mazda to reconsider a sedan

The Japanese site BestCarWeb reported in late 2023 that the new Mazda 6 sedan project is back on again. Per the report, Mazda’s more upmarket large SUV lineup — fronted by the all-new, three-row CX-90 in America — has performed better than anticipated on the sales front. And that success has Mazda primed for a similar, premium-adjacent sedan. Think more Audi/BMW rival, rather than something like a VW Passat.

mazda cx90 — The Mazda CX-90’s early success reportedly has executives thinking North American buyers are ready for more premium-adjacent Mazda offerings.

The Mazda 6 successor should offer the same engines as the CX-90

BestCarWeb has Mazda giving the new sedan the same engine lineup as the CX-90. Buyers would be able to choose — in America, at least, — between a smooth 3.3-liter inline-six gas engine that puts out 341 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid with 323 hp and 369 lb-ft. Either would be a huge bump over the previous Mazda 6’s 227-horsepower turbocharged inline-four. A diesel may be available in other markets.

According to AutoGuide, Mazda filed for a “6e” trademark in the European Union. Filing a trademark application is no guarantee Mazda will use it, but it is a necessary step if Mazda does intend to use it in a new vehicle. So, it should be viewed as an encouraging sign Mazda is plotting a 6 return.

We don’t know yet what the “e” part of it means. It could stand for “all-electric” or be new branding for an electrified plug-in hybrid.

What will the new Mazda sedan look like?

BestCarWeb says the new Mazda sedan will have a swooping four-door coupé style body rather than a traditional three-box sedan look. The report also says Mazda will offer the sedan with options for a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout or all-wheel-drive. Don’t expect Mazda to revive the manual transmission, sadly.

When will the new Mazda sedan arrive?

According to BestCarWeb, the new Mazda sedan will arrive in 2025 at the earliest and North America would be the target market. Mazda has confirmed plans to debut a new EV in 2025. But that’s expected to be built off an existing nameplate and likely a crossover.

mazda 6 sedan — Mazda’s next sedan could be looking further upmarket than the previous one.

Would a new Mazda sedan help it take on the likes of BMW and Audi?

The rumored outline of a Mazda 6 successor sounds incredible. Mazda is renowned for its tuning and driving dynamics. The new inline-six in the CX-90 is potent and buttery smooth. Mazda also does a great job with luxurious interiors for the class. That could be the recipe for an excellent sport sedan — and one that could challenge European competitors on price.

However, the sporty sedan market is far more brand-loyal than the three-row SUV market. Kia has had a runaway success with the world car of the year-winning Telluride three-row SUV. But the brand’s sedan equivalent, the sporty Stinger, struggled to find traction with buyers and has been shelved. Even if it’s really great, a Mazda 6 successor could still face tougher sledding than the CX-90.