Mazda’s New EV SUV Can Tell Pedestrians Whatever You Want—Even Naughty Words

Mazda’s latest electric SUV, the CX-6e, features an external speaker system that allows drivers to broadcast custom audio messages to pedestrians and cyclists, including unrestricted use of profanities.

What Happened

The CX-6e, which is based on China’s Deepal S07 and recently debuted in Australia, includes an "External Announcement" feature carried over from the Chinese market. While the system offers prerecorded safety messages such as "Hey, buddy, I’m here" or "Please look up and focus on the road, stay safe," drivers can also type custom text into the vehicle’s 26.45-inch display. According to reports from Australian car journalists, the system does not filter out bad words, allowing drivers to broadcast whatever message they choose without censorship.

Why It Matters

This feature highlights a growing trend in EV design where manufacturers leverage external speakers for both safety and driver expression, though the lack of content filters raises questions about in-car technology governance. The CX-6e is positioned as a direct competitor to vehicles like the Tesla Model Y, offering a 78-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery pack that delivers up to 300 miles (484 kilometers) of range on the WLTP cycle and supports charging at up to 200 kW. Currently, the vehicle is available in markets such as Australia and Europe, but not in the United States, where Mazda’s previous EV effort, the MX-30, was discontinued after selling only 600 units due to its limited 100-mile range.

The Bottom Line

Mazda’s CX-6e combines competitive EV specs with a quirky, unfiltered external speaker feature that may prompt future software updates to address potential misuse. The vehicle represents Mazda’s continued expansion of its electric portfolio overseas, distinct from its earlier, less successful attempts in the U.S. market.