2022 Mazda MX-30 EV

Mazda is behind other automakers in the US when it comes to electric vehicles. What's even more curious is that Mazda is releasing a full battery electric before it even offers a single hybrid model in the USA: the Mazda MX-30. Initially, the new Mazda MX-30 is only on sale in California as a crossover SUV with suicide doors, coupe styling, and loads of tech. Importantly, it handles like a sporty Mazda should. But there are downsides, and a few potential deal breakers. It packs a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery providing an EPA-estimated range of just 100 miles. The front end isn't usable as a frunk either, as Mazda has confirmed a rotary range extender will occupy that space later on to quell range anxiety. These quirks could be big problems when rivals like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV boasts circa 250 miles of electric range and greater practicality. Still, Mazda is pushing ahead with the MX-30, knowing full well that it'll be a niche vehicle. It's a fully-fledged American-built product, but Mazda is only prepared to sell 560 in 2022.

Despite these challenges, a day spent behind the wheel in Orange County, CA proves there's much to like about Mazda's first EV.

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Style is always high on the list for modern Mazdas, and the design team has had a field day here. The first thing we noticed is that, in a landscape of ever-growing grilles, Mazda has gone the other way with the MX-30. It's smaller than the CX-30s, and the bodywork doesn't feature curves in the sheet metal's flanks to create reflected shapes. The Kodo design philosophy of avoiding complex curves to create distinctive designs is still present, though. The variation in the design of the wings draws attention to the deep-set sculpted light clusters. Then, to highlight the sweeping coupe-like roofline, Mazda's premium option is a multi-tone exterior that finishes the MX-30 with either Polymetal Gray, Ceramic Metallic, or Soul Red Crystal to go with the gray roof and large silver C-pillar badge. To also help with the coupe-like styling, Mazda has brought back the "freestyle door," or suicide doors as the layman will know them. Just like the RX-8 sports car, the MX-30 has two rear-hinged doors for rear passengers that that open outwards in the opposite direction to conventional doors.

Performance-wise, the MX-30 isn't the fastest thing on four wheels with its 143 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque going to the front wheels only. But it's enough that joining a fast-moving freeway is far from dangerous. The tuning between the throttle and the 107-kW motor is refined while using the regenerative braking to recoup is smooth and instinctive. The attention to detail in the powertrain and how it drives is perfectly Mazda, but the big fly in the ointment is range. A 100-mile EPA estimate simply does not cut it.

Mazda can repeat until it's blue in the face that most drivers only cover an average of 30 miles a day, and we will keep pointing out that the keyword there is average.

Some drivers may commute 10-12 miles a day, but at the weekend, they're restricted to only visiting friends and family or taking the kids out for the day within a 50-mile radius - unless they know with certainty they can do a full recharge at the destination.

The good news is that a small battery means a shorter charging time. However, a Level 1 charger will still take 13 hours and 40 minutes to charge from 20 percent to 80 percent. On a Level 2 charger, you're waiting 2 hours and 50 minutes with ideal conditions, but just 36 minutes if you can charge at 50kWh. Each MX-30 also comes with $500 of free charging, or that $500 can be put towards installing a Level 2 charger in your home garage.

According to Mazda, it's aiming the MX-30 at first-time EV buyers, so it's important that it provides a natural driving experience and Mazda's signature handling dynamics. Despite brake-by-wire (the brake pedal and brakes aren't physically linked), electric drive, and different weight distribution to having the engine up front, it's mission accomplished.

Acceleration and deceleration feel both smooth and linear. The amount of regenerative braking applied off-throttle is variable using the paddles behind the wheel, and it's easy to get used to in the heaviest setting. There's a lot of software trickery going on behind the scenes, particularly with the driving dynamics. For example, when turning into a corner, the software works out how much braking to apply to the front wheels to create a degree of trail-braking - an advanced driving technique used to shift the weight of the vehicle forward and onto the front wheels to create more grip when turning in. Most importantly, you don't notice how much the MX-30's systems are working to give a consistent and easy driving experience.

Also helping with handling and grip is Mazda's new electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus) system and the low center of gravity caused by having the batteries placed low in the chassis. The batteries are placed to give the MX-30 a 40/60 weight balance front to back compared to the CX-30's 60/40.

Add all these factors together and you get a crossover that feels light, agile, and as much fun to roll through a long canyon road as it is to hustle through the city. The suspension and the low center of gravity mute body roll in corners, and the MX-30 is nice and compliant on bumpy roads.

Overall, the MX-30 is a surprisingly good all-rounder. It cruises on the freeway with quiet and comfortable confidence, can be tossed into a corner with more relish than expected, and is more than happy to zip through city shortcuts and get its hustle on.

There's a lot to love inside the Mazda MX-30, starting with standard two-tone coloring. The highlight for us, though, is the "floating" center console which looks good while creating plenty of storage space and tucks away the two USB ports and a 150-watt AC outlet. On top of the shifter knob and infotainment controller for the touchscreen. The 8.8-inch center touchscreen sits in the same position as the Mazda CX-30 - high and easy to glance at while driving.

A lot of automakers are introducing more ecologically friendly materials to their interiors, and, along with recycled plastics, Mazda has opted for cork. Not only does cork hark back to Mazda's origin as a cork manufacturer, but it is also one of the most sustainable materials available, as well as being lightweight, hardwearing, and tactile. The storage tray in the center console is cork, but Mazda also placed cork inside the door handles, so you feel it every time you open the door.

Tactile feel is a common feature of Mazda interiors, and it's carried on with the material across the top of the doors and in the back of the cabin. As the doors are not wide, it feels more contained and cocoon-like in the back, but there is plenty of headroom (37 inches) and enough legroom (30.1 inches) for the kids or occasional adults.

Cargo space is fine for a small crossover (20.04 cubic feet) and a weekly shopping trip or weekend away for two won't leave owners wanting for more space. But, as mentioned, there's no frunk here like there is in most conventional EVs, which may leave some buyers feeling a little shortchanged.

The MX-30 starts at $33,470 and comes standard with, among other things: 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, leatherette and cloth seats with driver's eight-way power adjustment and lumbar control, a power moonroof, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, seven-inch AC control screen, seven-inch cluster display screen, 8.8-inch center display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an eight-speaker audio system. Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, radar cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, and smart brake support both front and rear.

The Premium Plus package adds more automated safety features like 360-degree camera but also more convenience with a Bose 12-speaker audio system, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, a heated steering wheel, HomeLink, and SiriusXM satellite radio. But the Premium Package equipped MX-30 costs $36,480.

Both are well equipped for the younger demographic Mazda is aiming for, but both are exorbitantly priced. Only available in California, Mazda still has all its available EV credits. That means up to $2,000 in rebates are available, dropping the starting price to $31,470. Furthermore, up to $7,500 in federal tax credit is available, but that figure isn't available as a discount at the time of purchase.

If the young Californian family next door were looking for a compact electric EV, there's one big thing stopping us from recommending the MX-30. A 100-mile range on a full charge just doesn't cut it, and we suspect that Mazda knows this. That aside, the MX-30 is a nearly class-leading vehicle. It's well-specced, drives superbly, and looks exceptionally stylish. But the lack of a frunk, limited Cali-only availability, and a range that wasn't impressive in 2015 combine for a package that just doesn't meet end-user requirements in 2022.

The fact Mazda is only making 560 available, and only in California, suggests it knows the reality of the range limitations.

For the moment, we're going to file the MX-30 as one to watch. With a range extender under the hood or a battery with more capacity, then you have a genuine contender for best in class. Until then, 560 people that don't need more than 100 miles of range are getting an excellent compact crossover. We just can't help but feel that for similar money, the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric seems like a whole lot more value. The MX-30 is just 100 miles short of being brilliant.