Mazda’s MX-30 R-EV tackles range anxiety in a novel way, writes James Stinson
Cars aren’t cheap anymore… Prices have been going through the roof in recent years especially. Covid and a worldwide chip shortage, followed by a spike in energy prices are to blame. But there are some encouraging signs that prices have stabilised and, in some cases, are even falling. Some of the biggest price drops have been for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Manufacturers need to shift more electric cars to meet emissions targets and buyers are the beneficiaries. The latest eye-catching price reduction comes from an unexpected quarter. Mazda is a relative latecomer to electric cars, launching its first battery powered car, the MX-30, in 2021.
At the start of the year, entry level prices for the MX-30 were nearly £31,000 but Mazda has knocked £3,000 off every model meaning the cheapest all-electric Mazda can now be had for £27,995. We’ve tested the MX-30 on these pages before and it’s fair to say we had mixed emotions. We liked the styling and the quality but were less impressed by its range and practicality.
The MX-30 is a tall, compact sports utility vehicle. It looks like a conventional five-door, but there are no pillars between the front and rear side doors. The rears are small and hinged at their trailing edges, a bit like a London taxi. And to open the rear door, you’ve got to open the front one first. It’s eye catching and unusual but not the most practical. The small doors and sloping rear roofline mean the back of the MX-30 is a little dark and cramped and best suited for kids and smaller adults only. We also weren’t fussed on the MX-30’s official 124-mile all-electric range. Mazda claims that’s more than enough for a lot of drivers but buyers appear sceptical. And that’s a great pity because the MX-30 is a super car in almost every other area. It looks great, feels refined and balanced on the road and has a beautiful, high-quality interior. And maybe that’s where this latest plug-in hybrid R-EV range extender version comes in.
The R-EV has an even smaller battery than the BEV version but also has a small petrol-powered rotary engine under the bonnet. In theory, the MX-30 R-EV can travel for up to 53 miles in electric only mode. When that runs low, the petrol motor kicks in… not to power the wheels but to recharge the battery. It means the R-EV can travel for up to 400 miles without stopping to fill up or recharge. On the road, the MX-30 R-EV delivers the same smooth driving experience as other BEVs. There’s some engine noise when the engine kicks in… (when the battery runs low) but it’s not intrusive.
There are quicker EVs around but a sub 10 seconds 0-60mph time is adequate. And the relatively small 17.8 kWh battery means it doesn’t take long to charge either… less than an hour on a 7kw wallbox or just four hours from a conventional 3-pin socket. As mentioned earlier, the interior is distinctive and classy, with lovely textured materials throughout. The rear is compact and the boot is average but the overall look is pleasing and very distinctive. It comes in three grades – Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Makoto. Standard equipment on all UK MX-30s includes LED headlights with daytime running lights, reversing camera, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Assist, navigation and head-up display.
Sold alongside the Mazda MX-30 BEV, the MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid has benefitted from the same list price reductions and now starts from just £31,495. Generous tax benefits make it especially attractive for company car drivers but private buyers might be tempted too.