It’s been in Europe for a while, but it’s now coming to the United States. The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is a beautifully sculpted subcompact crossover. But, what makes this car such an exciting arrival is that it is Mazda’s very first all-electric vehicle. To take it a step further, it is Mazda’s first entry into the hybrid vehicle space too.
The car not only looks stylish but has a major focus on sustainability and creating a minimal environmental footprint. Here is a brief review of why the debut of the 2022 Mazda MX-30 is so anticipated.
All Electric for Fun Driving
As mentioned, this is the first electric vehicle (EV) for Mazda. The front-wheel drive vehicle is powered by a 35.5 kWh lithium battery that delivers 144 horsepower through a front-mounted motor while providing 200 lb-ft in torque. This kind of torque is impressive for a smaller battery and will make the car accelerate quicker off the start. It is anticipated to go from 0-60 in under 9 seconds.
Mazda is consciously using a smaller battery in its EV debut because it wants to ensure this vehicle will make a larger, positive impact on the environment – more so than other EVs in the market.
Mazda is planning for a hybrid version to come after the EV launch as well. Unlike most hybrids, the MX-30 will not switch between gasoline and electrical power. Instead, the hybrid will always be powered by electricity, with a small gasoline-powered rotary engine to recharge the battery on the fly. The hybrid will be a great option for buyers that want to go longer ranges.
The battery itself is expected to get around 100 miles per charge, and that should be great for city driving, shorter road trips, and routine use like commuting and running errands. The battery is easy to charge as well and can be done on AC power or faster 50kw DC power. It can charge from 20% to 80% in under 40 minutes and takes under 5 hours to fully charge at home, making it perfect for waking up with a full charge every morning.
The car will also ride smoothly due to the G-Vectoring Control Plus technology that adjusts to driver behavior with torque reactions for better handling and stability. Power is delivered more gradually in the MX-30 instead of the single accelerated thrust that is exhibited in most EVs. The battery placement is also lower in the vehicle to help with ride stability. Even the braking system is intentional in its ability to break more smoothly.
Overall, these innovations, coupled with the fact that it is an EV, make the ride comfortable and super quiet. However, the MX-30 does pipe in synthetic engine revving noise when accelerating so the driver can feel the car get up and go.
Mazda also is partnering with the largest network of electric vehicle charging stations in North America, ChargePoint, to offer convenient charging options not only when driving but also at home. As a first-time player in the electric vehicle market, Mazda is charging right in.
Future Forward Concepts
Electric power is not the only modern concept released into the 2022 Mazda MX-30. There are many innovations and details worth noting that make this car unique.
First, the exterior of the car is eye-catching and has the initial look of a coupe with stylish satin chrome accents. Mazda carries forward its Kodo design concepts into this car. The Kodo design is less about multiple curves and angles and more about single lines of fluidity and flow, hence it is referred to as “the soul of motion.”
However, the MX-30’s exterior stands out from prior Kodo designs because of its unique front grill and its circular taillights. When you open the doors, you will also notice the pillarless freestyle door system. This means the rear pair of doors on the car are rear-hinged. This is an homage to the discontinued Mazda RX-8 sports car that had similar doors. On the MX-30, these doors not only give the car a futuristic look, but they make access to the interior rear cabin much easier. This concept positively impacts the cabin by giving it a fully open, airy, and light feeling interior.
Speaking of the interior, there are seriously innovative details for sustainability. First, the door handles are made of leftover cork from the wine industry. A fun fact is that Mazda originally got its start as a cork manufacturer in 1920, so one cannot think this was not intentional. Second, the interior fabric is composed of recycled plastic bottles – not only is that great for the environment, but the material breathes better too.
The cabin is also simple and elegant, with a floating center console that frees up space, so there is more storage room. A futuristic 7-inch digital panel controls the temperature, and a rotary dial controls the infotainment system that rises from the dashboard to provide audio, navigation, and a rear camera.
Cool technologies dominate the interior, including smartphone connectivity, so that you can stay in touch with your digital life while driving. The car can be connected to an app as well to monitor charging status, temperature and to lock or unlock the vehicle.
Because today’s drivers prioritize safety when they drive, the MX-30 is well-equipped with standard safety features. These include collision control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, and auto emergency braking. These are part of the MX-30s i-ACTIVSENSE safety bundle.
Whether eyeing the MX-30 from the outside for its curated, elegant design or sitting in its sustainable and minimalistic cabin, this car is certainly one of a kind.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is an excellent subcompact SUV for drivers that want a fun ride for a busy lifestyle. This electric vehicle will get you to many places on a hectic day and do so in an eco-friendly way that leaves zero emissions behind. Not having to go to the gas pump is also a nice perk.
Mazda’s attention to detail is obvious on the outside and in the cabin by the way the MX-30 was artfully designed and thoughtfully crafted. Compared to a similar compact SUV like the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt EUV, the MX-30 is a far more sophisticated and mature ride. Even the now-discontinued BMW i3 cannot live up to Mazda’s level of style.
There are a few other boxes that are checked when considering an MX-30. First, it has a 3-year, 36,000-mile limited warranty, and a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Next, buyers will receive the all-important $7,500 federal electric tax credit, given it is an electric vehicle. This cannot be overlooked, given the car will cost around $32,000, so this credit is a material benefit on top of the numerous benefits and innovations articulated here.
Overall, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 is certainly worth checking out if you are an aficionado of electric vehicles and hybrids. Not only does it have innovations in its powertrain and battery, but it also is deliberately mindful of the environment well beyond its power source. The recycled, eco-friendly materials within the cabin really identify Mazda as being future-forward when it comes to thinking about the environment.
