Mazda MX-30 long-term test: report 2

Mazda's first fully electric SUV aims to prove that less is more. Over the next few months, we'll be finding out if it succeeds...

Published20 October 2021

The car Mazda MX-30 145 Sport Lux Run by Louis Shaw, social media manager

Why it’s here To prove that it's both possible and preferable to run an electric car with a smaller range in the city without compromise.

Needs to be A comfortable commuter, with plenty of space for luggage and passengers, and provide minimal compromises compared with a combustion-engined car.

Mileage 708 List price £30,545 Target Price £29,588 Price as tested £32,045 Official range 124 miles (WLTP) Test range 123 miles

30 September 2021 – In the lap of luxury

More often than not, car conversation seems to centre around exterior design, something I’ve personally experienced in the past few weeks with my Mazda MX-30. I’ve lost count of the number of people coming over to ask me questions, usually mumbling the words, “that’s a handsome thing” as they walk towards the car.

I completely understand it. While manufacturers continue to try to gauge public trends, figuring out the right balance between funky, futuristic design and more 'conservative' EV conversions, I love that Mazda has gone bold with the MX-30 and, for better or worse, it’s certainly attracting attention.

But, as good as a car looks on the outside, owners (myself included) spend 99.9% of their time inside the car. In that regard, it’s even more impressive behind the wheel than the RX-8-inspired rear doors, swooping coupé lines and inverted front grille combined.

I cannot understate the quality of the material finish. Weeks into ownership, I continue to be blown away as I get comfortable in the hot seat. Everything from the chrome finish on the steering wheel buttons to the air conditioning vents and ‘vegan’ leather-clad gear selector feels beautifully screwed together and incredibly luxurious.

It’s not just the perceived quality of the materials that hits you, but also the functionality of the interior. The seats are as comfortable as they are visually inspired, and there are loads of thoughtfully designed cork cubbies, offering more storage for your phone and water bottles than you could ever need.

That incredible centre console, despite looking like something out of a Star Wars-esque flying metropolis, is positioned perfectly in front of your hand, allowing easy access to the rotary controller. It’s a shame about the short range because I could spend a lot longer in the car than the circa 120 miles range would take me.

So far, the only place where style appears to interfere with usability is in the rear. The combination of a swooping roof line and small windows slightly obscures rearward visibility. That said, the mirrors are pretty good and my Sport Lux trim comes with rear-facing cameras as standard for those trickier parking spaces.