I’m a fan of Mazda’s line-up of cars. I find them stylish, well-appointed and am still impressed with Mazda’s SkyActiv technology for internal combustion engines. So I was really looking forward to test driving the new MX-30, Mazda’s first foray into a fully-electric vehicle, I was disappointed..
I do my homework before the vehicle arrives. I was so surprised by the range on the MX-30 that I didn’t believe it at first, 100 miles, seriously that’s like the year 2015 range numbers. I do a fair amount of driving and I found myself calculating mileage numbers to and from. I don’t like that, it causes me range-anxiety and that’s the last thing I want from a car.
It’s an attractive car with good cargo space. My model was in what I like to call, Mazda Red (Soul Red) which is just stunning. However it has these funky rear doors that open like the old suicide doors. The doors only open from the inside and they are pretty narrow. They make for interesting conversation but they have their drawbacks, like not being able to open them until the driver’s door is opened, which can be a problem for parents with kids.
There are two trims available for the MX-30: Base and Premium Plus. This review will focus on the Premium Plus.
Keyless entry, 12-speaker premium audio, 18-inch wheels and a heated steering wheel are just a few of the extras standard on the Premium Plus package. Also featured are safety extras like, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot assist, front cross-traffic alert and 360-degree surround-view camera.
A 35.5-k Wh battery pack powers the electric motor producing 143 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. The MX-30 comes in front wheel drive only. The range is 100 miles on a full charge, but add in hills, freeways, air conditioning and other electricity gulpers and that range goes down.
The MX-30 interior benefits from Mazda’s high-end quality and style. My model had two-toned seats made partially from recycled materials. There were also interesting touches of cork on the floating console and lining the cup holders. I really loved the cork accents, it gave the interior a unique look. Seating is pretty comfortable, but backseat passengers will suffer from a lack of headroom and legroom.
The drive of the MX-30 is as smooth as ever thanks to a combination of Mazda’s suspension and the electric engine. Cornering is poised and the turning radius is tight. The engine feels zippy enough around town, but on the highway it’s plodding. It’s lovely and quiet inside the Mazda which makes it easy to hear every note of the rad sound system.
Is a 100 mile range good enough for you? If it is, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 is an attractive vehicle and worth a look.