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The 2022 Mazda MX-30 Has an Admirable Objective but Is a Little Too Early

When you hear about a Mazda MX, you instantly think about the small, convertible two-seater that it's so iconic and legendary in the automotive industry. However, besides that model, from 2020, we can buy the electric MX-30, which has no connection whatsoever to the MX-5.
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 Has an Admirable Objective but Is a Little Too Early 19 photos
Photo: Cars Guide
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But in this article, we want to present the updated 2022 version of the Mazda MX-30, which, as a fun fact, it is called like that because the average American person drives approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) per day, and this car was specifically designed to meet their needs.

The 2022 model has a 35.5 kWh Lithium-ion battery mounted under the cabin floor in order to ensure excellent responsiveness. From the WLTP tests, we found out that it has 265 km (165 miles) of urban range, while the official combined one is around 200 km (124 miles). Mazda says most people don't actually need a long battery range, and the 124 miles are more than enough.

However, this range needs to be bigger, especially for a car of those dimensions. After all, the MX-30 is kind of a coupe SUV. Basically, it sacrifices a lot from everyday practicality just for looks, like the tumbling rear roofline. The exterior is extremely beautiful, and the Rolls Royce-inspired suicide doors offer this vehicle a unique style.

The base model of the MX-30, called Prime Line, starts from a little over €37,000. Besides that, you have three more options to choose from, and since 2022, a new package was introduced called Makoto. This is the most complete one, including almost every option available, and starts from €39,000.

2022 Mazda MX\-30
Photo: autoevolution
The driving position in this electric Mazda is absolutely amazing. To be honest, almost in every Mazda, the driving position is extremely nice. In the interior, we have a digital dashboard that has all the pieces of information you need. In addition, there is another seven-inch climate control touchscreen right below the infotainment touchscreen. I wouldn't say I like it when cars are getting rid of the standard, physical buttons that are so practical. There were many occasions when I found it challenging to use the touchscreen commands for volume and climate settings. However, the engineers from Mazda placed proper buttons on both sides of the display, so it's straightforward to use.

The infotainment system is not a touchscreen, but believe me when I say that the BMW-like rotary controller is super nice to use. Besides, you can keep your eyes on the road when you are driving and using the system. While the MX-30 has a built-in sat-nav, it's still good to know that this car is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The base eight-speaker stereo audio is more than decent, but if you want more audio quality, you should opt for the 12-speaker Bose surround sound system.

In a very Mazda way, the interior is super qualitative, beating almost all of its rivals in its category. Oh, and it's eco-friendly, too. We can find a mix of recycled bottles (which was used for the door trims), cork inlays from offcuts of wine stoppers for the storage trays on the center console, repurposed denim, plus vegan leather. Besides, the interior is very quirky and strange, but in a good and fun way.

There is plenty of head space in the front seats for two tall adults. Plus, there is a lot of width, so there is enough space between the driver and the neighboring passenger. In addition, we can find a lot of storage space everywhere in the front. But the good news ends once you get to the rear seats. For starters, the in and out access is awful because the rear doors can't be accessed without opening the front doors. The space for the head is limited, and the leg room is even tinier. To be honest, if the front seats are slid full-back, the leg room is non-existent.

2022 Mazda MX\-30
Photo: autoevolution
From a driving standpoint, this car has nothing to do with performance or dynamics. The 0-62 mph (100 kph) time is around 9.7 seconds, which is a lot in the realm of electric vehicles. The maximum speed is 140 kph (87 mph), so it's pretty hard to overtake someone outside the city. However, this was not the point.

In almost every other aspect, the MX-30 drives really nicely. The brake pedal is weird, so you need some time to get used to it. Besides, you can opt not to use the regenerative effect of the motor, which helps the car slow pretty quickly when you lift off the gas pedal.

If you have another car for long roads, then the MX-30 is suitable for city driving, but nothing more. Even if you choose the base model, you will enjoy a lot of excellent materials and plenty of technology. Besides, it's pretty cheap, and you get a lot of things for a small price. Oh, and I forgot. Because the battery is so small, getting it from 20 to 80% requires a 'pit stop' of about half an hour using a 50kW station charger.
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About the author: Silvian Irimia
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Silvian may be the youngest member of our team, being born in the 2000s, but you won't find someone more passionate than him when it comes to motorsport. An automotive engineer by trade, Silvian considers the Ferrari F50 his favorite car, with the original Lamborghini Countach a close second.
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