When Mazda announced the MX-30, the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle in 2021, the company also teased the return of the iconic rotary engine, this time as a range extender similar in implementation to the late, lamented Chevy Volt or the BMW i3.
The range-extender rotary was going to be a key feature, because the MX-30 came with only 100 miles of range from its 35.5 kWh battery pack.
With a starting price of $33,470 for 2022, rising to $37,120 for the Premium Plus package, Mazda was going to need that range extender to make the MX-30 a viable EV. Buyers could spend less and get more than twice the range with the Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf.
However, the rotary range extender never appeared and consequently, very few buyers chose the MX-30. Further, the MX-30’s 9-second 0-60 time and top speed of 87 mph were at odds with Mazda’s traditional emphasis on performance and driving enjoyment. Thus, according to CarFigures.com, Mazda sold just 66 examples in the first six months of 2023, and a total of 506 since the MX-30’s 2021 introduction.
There was a lot to like about the MX-30
When TheDetroitBureau.com reviewed the MX-30, we found plenty to like. Assistant Managing Editor Larry Printz wrote, “Its short stance and raked backlight lend the MX-30 a sporty, pugnacious stance that’s appealing and the test car’s two-tone paint scheme was fetching. The MX-30 has rear-hinged half-doors last seen on the Mazda RX-8, making it easy to access the rear seats. The MX-30’s beguiling modern interior is distinctly Mazda. Modern and upscale, it features a center console that’s positively sculptural.”
Editor-in-chief Paul Eisenstein reported, “The MX-30’s cabin adopts a minimalist theme, with key controls shifted to the touchscreen infotainment system. The floating center console and doors, meanwhile, emphasize the use of renewable materials — in this case cork.”
One benefit of the MX-30’s comparatively small battery was a very quick recharge time, measured at 2.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, and 36 minutes with a Level 3 charger. However, offering model year 2013 range in a model year 2023 vehicle was never going to succeed.
Refocus on hybrids
This week, Mazda issued a terse notice that the MX-30 has been axed. “Mazda will discontinue MX-30 EV for the U.S. market following the 2023 model year,” reads the release. “Our current U.S. electrification efforts are focused on large platform PHEVs, such as the first-ever 2024 CX-90 PHEV and upcoming CX-70 PHEV, as well as introducing CX-50 Hybrid into our line-up to address the specific needs of the U.S. market.”
That’s too bad, because we think the plug-in hybrid version announced for other markets last winter, the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, could have been more successful here than the MX-30 EV. In the end, the MX-30 will be recorded as a swing and a miss, but we hope Mazda comes back to the plate with a winning EV soon. The world needs an EV with Mazda’s legendary driving dynamics.
It’s so crazy that Mazda created such a poorly performing product, given Mazda’s history of “Zoom Zoom driving dynamics — literally — and with with such a beautiful exterior and interior!
I agree, it’s a miss but Mazda should not, as a result, shy away from putting superior, beautiful and exciting-to-drive vehicles, their specialty, immediately back into our market.
With so many Mazda enthusiasts historically and those (like me) currently enamored with their fun-to-drive and gorgeous crossovers, hatchbacks and SUVs, they should be able to assess our market and figure out another winning formula — or two or three!
I really enjoyed reading this post about the Mazda MX-30 It’s great to see Mazda embracing the electric vehicle market with their first battery-electric vehicle The tease of the iconic rotary engine as a range extender was an exciting feature that set it apart from other EVs on the market The MX-30’s design is also worth mentioning, with its sporty and appealing stance, rear-hinged half-doors, and modern interior that features renewable materials like cork
While it’s unfortunate that the range extender never appeared and the MX-30 didn’t achieve high sales numbers, I appreciate Mazda’s decision to refocus on hybrids and their commitment to offering large platform PHEVs and the upcoming CX-50 Hybrid It shows that they are actively listening to the needs of the US market
Overall, I believe the MX-30 had a lot of potential, and it’s a shame that it didn’t succeed as expected However, I remain optimistic that Mazda will continue to innovate and come back stronger with a winning EV in the future The world needs an electric vehicle that combines Mazda’s legendary driving dynamics with sustainable technology 😊🚗💨