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.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Privacy glass (rear side windows and rear screen)

Electric front windows with one touch auto up/down

Front, rain-sensing wipers with adjustable sensitivity and speed

Brakes

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Hill hold assist

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electronic parking brake with auto disengage function and auto hold function

Traction control system (TCS)

Electric G-Vectoring control plus

Regenerative braking system (5 modes. Selected via paddle shift switches)

Pre-crash safety system - Smart brake support (SBS) with turn-across traffic

Communication

Apple car play/Android Auto

E-call with GPS

Integrated bluetooth

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Reversing camera

Front and rear parking sensors

Emergency stop signalling system

Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert

Intelligent speed assist

Driver attention alert system

Lane keep assist system (LAS) with Lane departure warning system (LDWS)

Adaptive cruise control (Mazda radar cruise control) features stop and go

Driver Information

Trip computer

Service indicator

8.8" Colour centre touch screen display with Mazda Connect infotainment

7" TFT Colour driver instrument panel display

Integrated Mazda navigation system

Emergency lane keeping with blind spot assist and road keep assist

Windscreen projected colour active driving display (head up display) with traffic sign recognition

Driving Mirrors

Black door mirrors

Electrically adjustable door mirrors

Auto dimming driver's door mirror

Frameless auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Heated and auto power-folding door mirrors in black with integrated indicator lights

Door mirrors with adjustable memory and tilt down function when in reverse

Engine

Internal Combustion Engine Sound Emulator

Entertainment

8 Speakers

DAB Digital radio

Steering wheel mounted audio/bluetooth controls

Multimedia Commander including separate volume dial

FM

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured bumpers

Black front grille

Gloss black rear roof spoiler

B-pillar and C-pillar garnishes in piano black finish

Piano Black window trim

Satin Trim on D Pillar

Rear side wing doors

Unique R-EV exterior badging

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

Auto headlight levelling

LED Headlights

LED rear combination lights

Dusk sensing headlights

High beam control

LED 3rd brake light

Coming/leaving home lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Climate control air conditioning operated by the central 7"touchscreen control panel

Interior Features

Tonneau cover

Roof mounted sunglasses holder

Cloth/leatherette upholstery

12v electrical power outlet

Chrome interior trim accents with steering wheel centre bezel, surround of engine start / stop button and glove box handle

Driver, front passenger and two rear door pockets

USB and 12V Outlet

Driver and front passenger two rear grab handles with rear coat hooks

Seatback pocket at rear of the front passenger seat

Chrome power button surround

Door panel trim - Cloth with vinyl leather armrest and cork inserts around inner door handle

Mazda heritage cork accents on the console tray and cupholder lids

Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift lever

Steering wheel telescopic and tilt adjustment

Front centre armrest with storage and two cupholders

Rear centre armrest with two cup holders

Interior Lights

Illuminated glovebox

Front and rear LED lighting

Luggage compartment LED lighting

Safety

Rear door child safety locks

Front side airbags

Front and rear curtain airbags

Drivers knee airbag

Front passenger airbag cut-off switch

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

3x3 point rear seat belts

Collision avoidance braking

3 point ELR front seat belts x2 with pretensioners

Front dual stage driver and single stage front passenger airbags

Seatbelt reminder audible warning for driver, passenger and rear seats

Driver central airbag

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

ISOFIX child seat anchorage points attached on outer rear seats

60/40 split fold down rear seats

Heated front seats with 3 stage setting

8-way power adjustable driver seat with memory linked to door mirror and Active Driving Display

Power driver lumbar support

Front passenger seat manual slide, recline and height adjust

Two front and three rear height-adjustable head restraints

Single front passenger seat

Security

Smart keyless entry

Keyless Go

Thatcham accredited alarm and immobiliser

Remote central locking with deadlocking and automatic door lock when driving

Vanity Mirrors

Drivers and front passengers sun visors with vanity mirrors and driver's ticket holder

Vehicle Charging

11 kW triphase onboard charger

Type 2 for mode 2 AC charging via 3-point plug

Type 2 for mode 3 AC charging via home or public charge points

DC socket for rapid charging up to 40KW

Wheels - Alloy

18" Bright metallic alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Emergency tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 908

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.4

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 570

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 2.4

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 20-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 300

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 6.6

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 26

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 50

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 20-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 35.5

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 265

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 200

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 14.5

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 17.9

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 4.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.5

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 165

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 124

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 35.5

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 50

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Exclusive Line

Coin Description: 35.5kWh

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 19E

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 91

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 68

NCAP Safety Assist %: 73

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 145

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9.7

Top Speed: 87

Engine Power - BHP: 145

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 107

Engine Power - RPM: 4500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 200

Engine Torque - NM: 271

Engine Torque - RPM: 3200

Engine Torque - MKG: 27.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 215/55 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 215/55 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4395

Width: 1795

Wheelbase: 2655

Width (including mirrors): 2035

Height: 1555

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1645

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2119

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 474

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 350

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1155

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Two Tone Metallic paint

Premium metallic paint

Three tone metallic paint

Special two tone metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Jet black

Metallic - Polymetal grey

Metallic - Ceramic

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arctic white

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Machine grey

Three tone metallic - Ceramic white with black roof and dark grey side panels

Special two tone metallic - Soul red crystal with blackside panels and roof

Paint - Two Tone

Two tone metallic - Jet black with silver side panels

Two tone metallic - Zircon sand with black side panels and roof

Trim - Cloth

Cloth/leatherette - Light grey/Stone