The Breakdown
- Mazda's new EVs made in China have radically different dashboard designs.
- The 6e and CX-6e feature large screens that dominate the dashboard.
- The company's design boss in Europe defends this screen-heavy approach.
For many years, Mazda bucked the screen-heavy trend by refusing to adopt supersized displays that dominate dashboards. However, recent model launches have revealed a radical departure from the old approach, favoring massive infotainment systems. While jumbo-sized tablets raise concerns about potential distraction, the company’s design boss in Europe sees things differently.
In an interview with Dutch magazine Autoweek, Jo Stenuit defended the shift toward a much larger infotainment setup. Discussing the CX-6e and its gargantuan 26-inch touchscreen, Mazda’s Europe Design Director said:
'A screen offers many more possibilities for displaying information more clearly. And so not necessarily more. In the CX-6e, we invite the passenger to become part of the driving experience. '
Mazda Favors Head-Up Displays
Even with a large screen, Mazda believes the interior remains driver-focused. While that may sound counterintuitive, Jo Stenuit explains that replacing the digital instrument cluster with a head-up display helps keep your eyes on the road:
'Even with the CX-6e and its screen that extends toward the passenger, the focus remains on driving. I think a head-up display is much more important than an instrument cluster. With a good head-up display, you don’t need gauges, because you can focus better on the road.'
It’s worth noting that Mazda’s other EV, developed and built with its joint venture partner Changan in China, still features a screen ahead of the driver. The 6e liftback has a 10.2-inch instrument cluster paired with a more reasonable 14.6-inch touchscreen. These aren’t the only models leaning heavily on screens, as the best-selling CX-5 is now available with a 15.6-inch central display.
Bigger Screens, Fewer Buttons
While you and I might be tempted to call the removal of most physical buttons and the BMW iDrive-style rotary knob a cost-cutting measure, the Zoom-Zoom company says otherwise. Apparently, it's what people want. Speaking with Motor1 last year about the CX-5’s simplified dashboard, Tamara Mlynarczyk, manager of public affairs for Mazda North American Operations, said:
‘Based on customer feedback, we developed a new human-machine interface (HMI) that prioritizes ease of use while maintaining Mazda’s safe driving philosophy. The new CX-5 changes from a commander to a touchscreen center display, which is the most suitable means to minimize the ‘hands’ away from the steering wheel.’
It’s rare for an automaker to take such a 180-degree turn compared to previous-generation models, and even vehicles still on sale. Jo Stenuit told Autoweek that “technology and the market have changed,” suggesting this is the direction interiors will take. Hopefully, Mazda will make an exception for the next Miata and avoid overloading the dashboard with a large screen, as the roadster needs to remain as driver-focused as the ND generation.
2026 Mazda CX-5
Motor1's Take: It’s not that people are completely against screens, but making them the focal point of the interior stifles design innovation. Migrating frequently used functions from traditional buttons to a touchscreen is another delicate matter. I understand why some younger buyers prefer an all-screen experience, but a smaller display paired with some physical switchgear would be the ideal compromise.
With its rear-wheel-drive SUVs like the CX-70, Mazda had nearly perfected the balance between infotainment size and the number of traditional controls. However, the future is increasingly buttonless and dominated by screens.
