Welcome to the Mazda MX-30, our first impressions of the electric SUV

SUVs are the way ahead and have been for some time; similarly, EVs are powering forward and will become more and more available over the coming years.

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So called ‘range anxiety’, when the driver is worried whether or not the car can be re-charged before the journey comes to an untimely end, is what the industry is grappling with. The MX-30’s range is about 125 miles. On that basis, it is perhaps not the right EV for some, even if Mazda says that drivers’ average daily mileage is only 26.

For many drivers with the correct driving requirements, it can make a perfect solution to an electric car; why not?

The MX-30 can be charged from only 20% full up to 80% in thirty-five minutes and can take another such charge reasonably soon after. A full charge takes around five hours.

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Mazda’s policy is to keep the weight down. The battery pack in this car weighs 310 kg. A combination of this relatively lightweight (and a total kerb weight of 1645 kg) and Mazda’s ‘Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus’ that does clever things to the front wheels when they are under cornering load, the car handles nicely and, all-in-all is fun to drive.

First of all, there is the silence as you head off; then a pleasant gentle whirring sound as the car accelerates and then the quiet ambience that EVs have. The MX-30 develops 145 PS.

EV acceleration is impressive, as it is so easy and unfussed. Zero to 62 mph takes 9.7 seconds. The top speed is a rather strict 87 mph (we don’t need even that, do we?).

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The car could hardly be easier to drive and was well-tested and totally at home in a variety of traffic and road types on the test route.

The interior is bright, smart and comfortable. An interesting feature of the car is the ‘freestyle’ doors. The front doors open in the traditional forward-hinged way, while the back doors are hinged at the rear; there is no b-pillar as such, it being incorporated into the rear door, thus allowing a wide access space to the back so people can get in and out easily.

There is reasonable space for adults in the back, with good headroom and the front seats can be moved backwards and forwards electrically from the back seat to enable access further.

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Electric cars are all about the environment and the reduction of carbon emissions. Once built, they are clean. The materials and construction are where cars like this can only hold their hand half up. But Mazda shows its commitment in saying that smaller motors with lighter batteries really help in this respect…and there are little touches around the car that underline this, like trim made from re-cycled cork bottle stoppers.

The Mazda MX-30s is available in three versions starting at £28,545 and topping what will be the best-seller, the GT Sport Tech, £32,845. But knock £3000 of those thanks to the government grant, plus Mazda is throwing in a free home wall-charger, but only with orders placed before the end of March 2021.

Overall that’s a pretty great deal for more than a pretty exciting electric car… that’s also, with its selection of dual colour schemes, that make it very attractive.