2022 Mazda MX-30 Review

Mazda has officially entered a new frontier with its all-electric and very distinct MX-30 which features a set of rear-hinged doors.

What’s new for the 2022 Mazda MX-30

The MX-30 is a whole new model for Mazda in 2022. The MX-30 is Mazda’s first all-electric vehicle.

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Starting Price

MSRP $34,695

Drivetrain

FWD

Fuel Economy

100 Miles of Range

Seating

Seats 5

The Breakdown

Beautiful interior

Excellent handling

Futuristic exterior styling

Not enough range

Lackluster acceleration

Limited rear seat space

Needs twice the power or range

2022 MX-30 Specs

143 horsepower from base engine
200 lb-ft of torque from base engine
2 available trims
21 cu-ft of cargo capacity
Standard adaptive cruise control
Automatic emergency braking
Industry standard warranty

Trims & Pricing

Base - $34,695

Premium Plus - $37,655

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2022 Mazda MX-30 Powertrain

When it comes to surprises behind the wheel, the Mazda MX-30 might be one of the biggest. Take a quick look at the specifications of this car on paper and it looks about as fun as a wet noodle but that couldn’t be any more wrong. We shouldn’t be so surprised though, Mazda has built the notoriously low-powered but amazing-to-drive MX-5 Miata for decades so they know what they’re doing. That’s the same formula here and we suspect it’s exactly why Mazda used the MX nomenclature.

The MX-30 isn’t quick off the line but it’s built for corners and that’s where it shines. Considering how tall this car is, we had no idea that it would corner so flat and so stably. There’s no one-pedal driving mode in this car and while that certainly detracts from range, it also means that the MX-30 can coast through corners without losing speed and that’s just fun. Steering feedback is great too. We’d really love to see what this vehicle feels like with more competitive power or rear-wheel-drive which is something all of its main rivals offer.

2022 Mazda MX-30 Battery Range

There’s no getting around the elephant in the room that is the disappointing 100-mile range of the MX-30. Mazda thinks that most buyers will own another vehicle for longer road trips and even offers a loaner for those that only own the MX-30 but that sort of defeats the point. Still, for those who just want a city car to get back and forth from work, the MX-30 can do that job just fine.

Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space

The MX-30 is a comfortable car with good visibility for the most part. The recycled and sustainably sourced materials throughout the interior are really nice. That includes the cork which is both a sustainable material but also pays homage to Mazda’s origin as a cork manufacturer. We also like the general layout and the way it feels to use the controls. Mazda has been making real steps forward in design and comfort over the last decade and this just proves that point again.

Where the MX-30 falls down is space behind the front seats. The rear-hinged doors work fine once you’ve opened the front door but there’s just not much space. Mazda says that this is a five-seater but we’d hate to shuttle five adults around in this thing for more than about 10 miles. Then there’s the lack of storage. From the end of the hatch to the back of the rear seats there’s a decent sized floor but because of the sloping roofline there’s not much height in the back for taller stuff. In addition, Mazda hasn’t offered any storage up in the front of the MX-30 like basically every other rival.

Entertainment & Technology

Mazda has long stood on a hill of leaving out touch-functionality from their infotainment systems. That’s still the case with regard to the main system in the MX-30. It’s operated through a set of physical controls in the center console and it works well. What’s strange is they’ve now added a touchscreen for climate control just above t We just wish they were both within reach and touch-sensitive.

In general, Mazda has done a nice job in the MX-30. The driver assist systems work well and are easy to use too. We really like that the adaptive cruise control can take over in traffic even if it comes to a stop too. That’s a great convenience feature.

Safety Features

We have yet to hear about any crash test scores on the MX-30 from the NHTSA or what the IIHS has to say about its safety. Mazda has a good history of performing well but until those marks come out we’ll just have to rely on the safety tech provided inside the MX-30 by Mazda.

2022 Mazda MX-30 Trims & Pricing

Base – $34,695

Every MX-30 starts out with a 35.5kWh battery that provides 100 miles of range through front-wheel drive. It also gets 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, a household style power outlet, remote keyless entry, a single interior color choice, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Technology is handled through an 8.8-inch infotainment system equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as eight speakers. Every MX-30 gets advanced driver assistance features like stop and go adaptive cruise control, frontal collision mitigation, and lane departure warning.

2022 Mazda MX-30 Premium Plus - netcarshow.com

Premium Plus – $37,655

Go for the Premium Plus MX-30 and you’ll get another interior color option as well as four new available paint colors. Inside, you’ll find a heated steering wheel, satellite radio, 12 speakers, and blind-spot assist technology.

Warranties

Somewhat disappointingly, Mazda offers just a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty on the MX-30. That’s well below the coverage of almost every other rival of this car and many of them cost less.

What we think

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The MX-30 is a compelling car until you see the price tag. At $34,695 it’s way too pricey considering how little range, power, and practicality it offers. Sure, federal tax credits drop that price down but even then, this still isn’t a lot of car for $27,000. The Hyundai Kona Electric offers a lot more value including nearly double the warranty for the same or less money. We hope that the MX-30 ends up just being a test bed for future Mazda tech.