Mazda just dropped its first all-electric car at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Mazda MX-30 is a five-seat SUV that looks nothing like what you expect from a Japanese automaker making its electric debut. It is available for pre-order right now, but you will not see it in dealer showrooms until autumn 2020.
The car stands out for a few reasons. It features unique antagonistic doors (front and rear doors open in opposite directions), uses eco-friendly materials, and houses a relatively compact battery. The design is a direct evolution of the e-TPV (Electric Test Prototype Vehicle), which itself was based on the CX-30.
The range problem and the power output
Here is the catch. The compact battery promises a limited range of only 200 km. That is tight for a daily driver, let alone a long trip. Mazda is still tight-lipped on full technical specs, but we do know the electric block produces 105 kW, which equals 143 hp.
Is 143 hp enough? For city driving, probably. For highway commuting? Maybe. The low range suggests this car is designed for urban or short suburban trips, not cross-country journeys.
Pricing, pre-orders, and the hybrid future
The First Edition variant is already open for pre-order at 34,400 euros, before any ecological bonuses. You can reserve yours with a 1,000 euro deposit.
Why the high price for a 200 km EV? Partly because it is the first model, and partly because the interior materials and unique door mechanism add cost. But keep an eye on the future. Mazda hints at a plug-in hybrid version of the MX-30 potentially arriving in 2021 or 2022. That could solve the range anxiety while keeping the styling and eco-materials.
The MX-30 is not just an EV; it is a statement that electric cars can have soul, even if the range is modest.
For enthusiasts, the question is simple: do you want a stylish, compact electric SUV with a quirky opening mechanism, or do you need 400 km of range? If the latter, wait for the hybrid. If the former, the MX-30 might be the only electric car on the market that feels like a Mazda.
