The MX-30 is Mazda's compact full-EV. Jonathan Crouch drives it and reckons this car offers something a little different.

Ten Second Review

Mazda's first all-electric production vehicle, the MX-30, is predictably a Crossover. It's been conceived and created with the brand's well-renowned focus on distinctive styling, innovative technology, driver focused dynamics and class-leading interior quality.

Background

Think Mazda and you think of engine technology - maybe the brand's famous rotary units or, more recently, its famed SKYACTIV-X powerplant tech. But can the company bring anything different to a full-electric powertrain? Well it's time to see because here, we're looking at its introductory EV, the MX-30, with its Zero Emissions SKACTIV-e powerplant. The MX-30 is, says Mazda, the EV for people "who don't want to sacrifice driving pleasure" when choosing an electric car. Staying true to the 'Jinbai Ittai - car and driver as one' ethos - found across Mazda's combustion engine range, it's been engineered to drive more dynamically than any other car in its segment.

Driving Experience

Mazda has improved the EV drivetrain sound of the MX-30 in recent times, but everything else is as before. The brand has chosen to give this car a relatively small 35.5kWh battery (the same size as the one in the tiny Honda e), so you shouldn't be expecting the kind of driving range you'd get in established EV compact models like the Renault ZOE. It's just 124 miles. Still, for the urban-based folk Mazda thinks will be most attracted by this model, that may not be too much of an issue. You'll be able to eke it out easily though because instead of all the power (140hp) arriving all-at-once (as it does in most rival EVs at this price point), Mazda has engineered the torque delivery to be more linear, which makes the car easier to adjust to for those from a combustion background. If the range really is a problem but you like the MX-30, your dealer will point you to the clever e-Skyactiv R-EV range extender version, which uses a little 830cc rotary engine that adds 320 miles of extra range after the available 53 mile EV mileage figure is exhausted. Our focus here though, is on the MX-30 EV. The Japanese maker provides steering wheel paddles to enable driver adjustment of the brake regeneration rate - everything from very light retardation when you release the throttle to so much retardation that the car virtually stops on its own every time you come off the accelerator. The car also offers an artificial sound to indicate either acceleration or deceleration. Handling should be taut, thanks to a very rigid body structure, made possible by a bracing ring placed around the low-placed Panasonic battery pack. And to Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus), which enhances chassis performance by using motor torque to optimise the front-rear load shift for improved stability.

Design and Build

The dimensions here are virtually identical to Mazda's CX-30 compact Crossover but this MX-30's styling is a slightly different expression of the brand's usual so-called 'Kodo' design theme, here apparently "emphasising the car's beauty as a solid mass". You'll be intrigued by the 'freestyle doors' (some unkindly call them 'suicide doors') - seen previously on Mazda models like the RX-8 - which are hinged unconventionally; the front doors open forward to an angle of 82 degrees, while the rear doors open backwards to an angle of 80 degrees. Peer in and you'll note the open spaciousness of the cabin and what is quite a stylish and driver-focused interior. Inside, the sense of space is enhanced with a floating centre console that sits independently from the dashboard, while the use of environmentally-friendly materials has been carefully matched to meticulous quality and finish. Leather is replaced by a vegan alternative. The lower console incorporates a 7-inch colour touch-screen air conditioning control panel, and (in a nod to Mazda's founding as the Toyo Kogyo Cork Company in 1920), the Mazda MX-30 features cork lined centre console trays and inner side door handles. Harvested from the bark of trees without felling, the use of cork and door trim materials that incorporate fibres from recycled plastic bottles aim to be perfectly suited to the ethos behind Mazda's first pure electric production car. The boot is 366-litres in size - or 1,171-litres with the rear seats folded. You'll get a little less than that in each case if you specify the optional Bose audio system upgrade.

Market and Model

There are now three trim levels on offer. Things kick off with the base 'Prime-Line' variant, which costs around £28,000. Next up is 'Exclusive-Line' spec, (around £30,000) then the plushest 'Makoto' flagship variant, which costs just around £32,500. The pricing of the e-Skyactiv R-EV range extender version requires around £3,500 more from you. Standard equipment on all MX-30s includes LED headlights with daytime running lights, a reversing camera, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Assist, navigation and a head-up display. Even base 'Prime-Line' spec gives you quite a lot, with 18-inch silver alloy wheels, black door mirrors and a black grille. This base variant is exclusively offered in a single tone paint design with a choice of five colours. Promising to be the biggest seller, the MX-30 'Exclusive-Line' features 18-inch Bright alloy wheels and sees an increase in standard equipment with the addition of power seats, lumber support adjustment and smart keyless entry. There's the option to choose a three-tone paint design too. The range-topping 'Makoto' version features three interior trim options - a light grey cloth interior trim with Stone artificial leather, or an optional dark grey and brown artificial leather interior, plus a new dark grey interior with black artificial leather. This trim features a dark brown cork console and door grips. High-grade standard equipment on the 'Makoto' MX-30 includes a front wiper de-icer and a power and tilt sunroof, while inside a heated steering wheel and 12-speaker Bose surround sound complement the standard specification.

Cost of Ownership

Technical updates to the MX-30 have improved DC charging performance by increasing the maximum power the vehicle can accept from 40kW to 50kW, which has reduced the rapid charging time by ten minutes to just 26 minutes (0-80%). The modest official 124 mile driving range hasn't changed though, and this puts this Mazda at a disadvantage to quite a few of its similarly-priced rivals, cars like the Kia Niro EV, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Renault ZOE. All of those models can go further on a single charge - but cost significantly more to buy. The car is equipped with both a Type 2 mode 2 charge cable for 3-pin plug charging and a Type 2 mode 3 charge cable for AC charging via home or public charge points. We should also mention the warranty, the usual unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile package. If you want to extend that, you can do so via optional 'Essential', 'Elite' and 'Complete' plans. Included in the standard package is a three year paintwork warranty and 12 years of anti-perforation cover. In addition, there's a 'Mazda Accident Aftercare' scheme which sees the company liaise with your insurer after an accident, making sure that you have access to a courtesy car if you need one and ensuring that all repairs are carried out to full Mazda standards.

Summary

It'll be interesting to see if EV buyers in this segment agree that a relatively compact battery pack (which means a relatively compact range figure) is the way to go in this sector. Mazda, like Honda and MINI, thinks it is but if you disagree and want more driving range in a Mazda of this sort, the brand can offer a Wankel-powered REX MX-30 model to satisfy you. And in summary? Well we'd hoped that the first all-electric Mazda might have more widespread appeal than ultimately, this MX-30 is able to deliver - at least in this full-EV form. For some, its unconventional rear cabin will be as compromising as its limited battery capacity. But if you're able to live with both of those things, there's lots to like here. This isn't just another EV: it's one you could actually learn to love. Just as Mazda has.