MX-30 EV

Make
Mazda
Segment
SUV

Mazda revealed its first-ever all-electric vehicle, the MX-30 crossover, at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Not only does it sport a unique powertrain, the MX-30 also boasts its own special design inside and out. The most interesting exterior design feature? Those suicide doors, which Mazda prefers to call "freestyle" doors.

This isn't the first time Mazda has dabbled with them; they were applied to the departed RX-8 rotary-powered sports car. The idea this time around was to give the MX-30 a human-centric and welcoming cabin space, though rear-seat space does appear to be a bit cramped both in head- and legroom. But what we've been wondering is whether or not those RX-8-style doors will make their way to future models. Autocar recently spoke to Mazda brand and design boss Ikuo Maeda about this very subject and we now have an answer.

"The idea of the MX-30 is openness, and when you step out of this vehicle, these doors help you feel that," he explained. "We haven't decided if we will use these doors elsewhere but, for the MX-30, it was the best choice."

Because the MX-30 and CX-30 are closely related, it wouldn't be impossible to apply those doors to the latter vehicle. It really boils down to whether Mazda wants to. Apparently it doesn't. The MX-30 also differs from the rest of the brand's designs with its squared-off wheel arches clad in contrasting trim, lower body cladding, and a more chiseled front end and grille.

Because it's Mazda's first (but surely not last) EV, the decision was made to give it plenty of unique styling. Inside, for example, there's a floating center console that frees up space behind the digital climate control screen. Powered by a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery, its driving range still remains unknown, but in order to be competitive against the likes of the Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Kona Electric, it will need to offer around 250 miles of range.

Sales are expected to get underway in the US in late 2020 or early 2021.