MX-30 EV

Make
Mazda
Segment
SUV

Mazda was late to the EV party, but its first-ever electric vehicle, the Mazda MX-30, certainly made an impression with its rugged styling and unique interior. The MX-30 made its world debut last October, and now the electric crossover is entering production. Mazda has announced that production of the MX-30 has started at the company's plant in Hiroshima, Japan.

While the MX-30 is built on the same platform as the Mazda CX-30 and the Mazda 3 Hatchback, it boasts a unique design featuring squared-off wheel arches, a contrasting black roof, and suicide doors.

Inside, the interior features a floating center console, a seven-inch touchscreen, and a range of environmentally friendly materials such as cork and door trim fabric incorporating fibers from recycled plastic bottles.

The new MX-30 is equipped with Mazda's new e-Skyactiv electric drive technology. The front-wheel-drive powertrain combines a 143-hp electric motor with a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery, enabling the electric crossover to deliver a WLTP-estimated driving range of around 124 miles. That may sound low, but Mazda prioritized efficiency over range, and there's still the possibility of a rotary engine range extender in the future.

However, there's no denying the fact that this range pales in comparison to its rivals such as the Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Kona EV, which both offer over 250 miles of range. Mazda still hasn't confirmed if the MX-30 will go on sale in the US, but if it does it will need to have a vastly improved range to be competitive.

This could still happen, however, using the aforementioned range extender. This setup was also used in a Mazda2 electric prototype and increased the range to a more respectable 236 miles. Mazda has confirmed the order books for the MX-30 are now open in Europe. It will go on sale in European dealerships this fall, starting at £30,495 in the UK and €33,990 in Germany (approx. $36,400).

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