The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is the first fully-electric vehicle from Mazda, and it has got a lot of things going for it. Coming with a starting price of $33,470, and offered in two trim configurations, this compact electric SUV managed to impress us with its beautifully crafted interior with pleasing material selection and a long list of standard features, which is not the case for its rivals in the segment.
The car also looks very futuristic and does manage to stand out well in a sea of bland-looking rivals. However, it does have a few downfalls in the form of mediocre range, a not-so-powerful electric motor, and the cabin isn't very spacious, either. With the fierce competition from the likes of the Chevrolet Bolt and the Hyundai Kona EV, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Mazda MX-30.
10 Quirky Exterior Styling
Being the first all-electric SUV from the Mazda stable, this Japanese manufacturer wanted the MX-30 to stand out from the regular-looking rivals, and we believe that they have succeeded at that. The compact exterior dimensions, butch-looking front fascia which stands out mainly due to the LED headlights and LED DRLs, and the squared fenders with black cladding that runs around the car make the MX-30 look equally rugged and futuristic.
The side silhouette would appeal to the masses due to the 18" wheels wrapped in 215 section tires, subtle character lines, black roof and pillars, and the sloping rear quarters. The rear gets a chunky tailgate with multiple design cues, LED taillights, and a neatly integrated rear spoiler. There are seven exterior colors to choose from, all of which look neat too.
9 Mediocre Acceleration
The e-SKYACTIV electric motor present in the 2022 Mazda MX-30 comes mated to a single-speed automatic transmission and manages to put out 143 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the road via the front wheels, with no option for an AWD variant. The MX-30 could also do the 0-60 mph run in 8.7 seconds and the quarter-mile run in 16.8 seconds.
The performance of this electric motor is a bit of a disappointment, as it is not as punchy as the Hyundai Kona EV or the Chevrolet Bolt. The mid-range performance which is needed on the open roads for a quick overtake is underwhelming, and the car has a top speed of just 90 mph. However, the initial torque is decent, and it is a very compelling city commuter.
8 Underwhelming Range
Coming with the least powerful motor in the segment, many would assume that the 2022 Mazda MX-30 is tuned more for efficiency. However, the small 30-kWh battery pack on offer with both the trim means that the car could only do 100 miles with a full charge. In comparison, both the Bolt and the Kona EV offer more than double the range.
EPA has also revealed an MPGe rating of 98 in the city and 85 on the highway, equating to a combined 92 MPGe. This also turned out to be less than all the segment rivals. Nevertheless, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 does get the standard AC charging as well as the faster DC charging support.
7 Superb Interior Quality
The cabin of the 2022 Mazda MX-30 comes with many natural and recycled materials. It also looks and feels very different from its rivals. The seats in the MX-30 are made from recycled plastic bottles, and it is very plush and comfy, the texture also feels premium, and the same applies to the dashboard and door cards.
All the touchpoints of the MX-30 have soft-touch materials used for construction, and we are pleased with the use of such recyclable materials in the cabin. The steering wheel comes leather-wrapped and the center console gets a brushed aluminum-looking material. The switchgear quality is above the Mustang Mach-E and the Bolt EV as well.
6 Has A Cramped Interior
Even though the cabin quality is easily one of the best in the segment, we weren't very happy with the rear seat space. The rear headroom and legroom are the worst of the segment, and that is going to pose problems for the larger and taller people, as they would be very uncomfortable.
The cargo capacity of 21 cu ft behind the rear seat is nothing to rave about. However, there are no issues when it comes to the front seats. They are very supportive, with great under-thigh and lower back support, and there are no complaints regarding headroom and legroom either.
5 Gets The Latest Mazda Connect Infotainment
The 8.8" digital touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system is neatly integrated into the dashboard, and the driver wouldn't have any problems accessing it while on the move. The interface is quite intuitive and display quality and touch sensitivity are as good as they can get. All the bells and whistles are standard, too.
The standard connectivity and entertainment features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, USB ports, aux input, Pandora internet radio, and many more are offered. The 12-speaker audio system provided a punchy audio experience without watering down the mid and high-frequency audio output.
4 Great Ride Quality
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The strut front suspension and the torsion beam rear suspension of the MX-30 may not be the most advanced suspension setup out there, however, it's still one of the most comfortable electric vehicle of the segment. The suspension is tuned adequately soft and that helps the car glide over the broken roads at slower city speeds with no effort.
When met with larger potholes at slow speeds, the car filters them very well and doesn't jostle the passengers around, unlike some of the rivals that come with the stiffer suspension setup due to the battery weight. Even when driving on the highway, the ride quality is supremely comfortable, and the car only transmits the bigger potholes to the cabin.
3 Many Driver-Assistance Features Are Standard
All the driver-assistance techs like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are offered for both the trim configurations. Coming at a base MSRP of $33,470, which is higher than the Bolt EV, it is good that the MX-30 gets many of these features, some of which are optional extras in the case of the Chevrolet.
All the regular safety features like ESC, ABS, side-impact beams, airbags, Mazda Connect emergency services, and collision mitigation are standard too. With top-notch build quality, coupled with all the bells and whistles in terms of features, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 managed an overall crash safety rating of 5-stars in the NHTSA crash test.
2 Comes Loaded With Many Standard Features
Both the trims of the 2022 Mazda MX-30 are filled to the brim with all the required features, and that makes it a more enticing option when compared to its immediate rivals. The base trim gets many features, such as i-Activesense driver-assistance techs, an 8.8" infotainment system, heated and powered seats, automatic climate control, level 3 DC fast charging, and signature LED headlights.
However, if you could shell out more, we would highly recommend the top-of-the-line Premium Plus trim. This version comes with a lot more equipment, which includes blind-spot monitoring, front cross-traffic alert, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, auto-dimming side mirrors, and a few more color options. The heated steering wheel and the 360-degree camera are part of the standard features, too.
1 Brakes Are Confidence Inspiring
The braking performance of some of the fully electric vehicles has not been the most confidence-inspiring, which is mainly due to the below-average feedback from the brake pedal and the extreme regenerative braking. However, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 is not going to disappoint anyone in terms of braking performance.
The 12.8" front rotors and 11.9" rear rotors are more than enough to anchor down this 3,655 lbs vehicle from any speed. The car did the 70-0 mph braking test in just 166 feet, and varying levels of regenerative braking are also offered. The brakes' initial bite and progression are superb, too.