2022 Mazda MX-30 Review

Name: 2022 Mazda MX-30 Review
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $18,990 - $22,990

Mazda MX-30 Premium Plus 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

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The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is an enjoyable electric vehicle on many levels. It sports a sleek, eco-conscious interior and an interesting exterior design, it's packed with a lot of modern technology, and it's a lot more engaging to drive than many of its contemporaries. So why is it so far down our rankings? Bottom line: It's a small, slow and kind of pricey EV with only 114 miles of range.

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Mazda MX-30 model years

2023
2022

Mazda MX-30 for Sale

2022

2022 Mazda MX-30 Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

rating written Jonathan Elfalan^{Director, Vehicle Testing
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.}

Pros

Small size and nimble handling
Quiet ride inside the cabin
Impressive cargo space despite lacking a frunk

Cons

Weak acceleration
Edmunds-tested 114 miles of range is poor for a modern EV
Reverse-hinged rear doors are suboptimal in parking lots
Tight rear legroom

What's new

Mazda's first electric vehicle
2022 marks the debut of the MX-30

Overview

The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is kind of a big deal. Up to this point, Mazda has never had a fully electric vehicle in the marketplace. Now, the MX-30 represents the brand's first step into the world of EVs and what the company calls its "multi-solution electrification strategy." (Translation: "We've got more electric Mazdas coming, but they're not ready yet.") The MX-30 is a stylish introduction to Mazda's forthcoming EV lineup, and sales began in California during the fall of 2021 with expansion to other markets in 2022.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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As new EVs go, the MX-30, which is based on Mazda's CX-30 small SUV, is modest in its offerings. Its electric motor produces 143 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, making it significantly less powerful than rival EVs. The Chevrolet Bolt, for example, makes 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the MX-30's 35.5-kWh battery pack will only power about 100 miles of driving on a full charge. Even though 100-ish miles is enough for most commuters, it harks back to EVs built in 2015, not 2022. Most budget-friendly 2022 EVs crest 250 miles and are better suited for longer trips.

There are some upsides here. Like most other Mazdas these days, the MX-30 has a classy cabin and sharp handling. Cargo space is decent, too. But considering the more capable competition, which includes the aforementioned Bolt and Bolt EUV, the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, Mini Cooper SE and even the Tesla Model 3, we think the MX-30 will need some improvements before we can give it a full recommendation. Check our test team's full Expert Rating to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the MX-30 drive? The driving experience is where Mazdas generally shine, and the MX-30 is no exception except for one area — it's slow. Despite the inherent torque advantage afforded by an electric powertrain, the MX-30 is no quicker than a subcompact economy car. Our test MX-30 needed a full 9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. It doesn't feel as sluggish as the numbers say it is, but there's no escaping that the MX-30 is among the slowest vehicles in its class. For comparison, the Kona Electric covers 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds.

Another downside: The regenerative braking isn't strong enough for one-pedal driving, where one can drive solely using the accelerator pedal. Luckily, those are the only driving deficiencies of this Mazda — it steers, handles and brakes with excellent poise and accuracy. Despite the lack of power, the MX-30 is easy and quite fun to wheel around town. The electric powertrain is smooth and predictable.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the MX-30? For a small car, the MX-30 doesn't disappoint too much when it comes to comfort. The front seats strike a good balance between support and comfort, and the cloth upholstery is both aesthetically nice and breathable. The rear seat cushions are decent, too, even if the seatbacks are a little upright, and there's sufficient padding on all armrests. The MX-30 is also one of the quieter cars in the class, keeping most wind, road and ambient noise out of the cabin in most conditions.

The MX-30 comes up a bit short in ride comfort and in its climate control system. Mazda did away with its independent rear suspension for its small car platform, which means that bumps come through a little more prominently at the back. That isn't great for rear passengers, who are already subject to a few comfort downgrades compared to those in front. It took us a bit of time to acquaint ourselves with the climate controls, but we eventually liked them. We also appreciated how quickly the heated seats fired up. On a warm day, we found the air conditioning to be a bit lacking, though.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The interior of the MX-30 is generally a pleasant place to be as long as you're up front. Though the MX-30 is not quite as diminutive as the Mini Cooper Electric, by the numbers, it's only slightly better in passenger shoulder room and nowhere else. Rear legroom is the most scarce, so it's best to reserve those seats for kids.

Notably, the MX-30 has reverse-opening rear doors like those on the BMW i3 EV or, going back even further, the funky 2004-2011 Mazda RX-8. Opening both the front and rear doors gives you a wide opening to get in back, but do so in a tight parking spot and you'll be fenced in by the open doors. The door design requires the front doors be opened before the rear doors, which makes rear-passenger ferrying, such as for school drop-offs, a hassle.

The CX-30's steering wheel has an excellent range of adjustment, but there isn't as much adjustment available for the driver's seat. Still, we were able to find a comfortable position during longer driving stints. Visibility out of the front is quite good thanks to sideview mirrors mounted lower on the doors, freeing up space where the typical crosswalk blind spots are. The rear pillars are pretty chunky, however, so if you don't have the Premium Plus model's 360-degree camera system, there will be some blind spots in back.

We like the simplicity of Mazda's rotary controller for the infotainment system but wish it had touchscreen functionality. Some things, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, work so much better with a touchscreen.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The MX-30 features most of the latest tech and advanced safety systems available on the market. Though onboard navigation is less necessary these days, the MX-30 has a nice system that's actually useful beyond stepping in when you lose your cellular signal. The 12-speaker Bose sound system, which comes with the Premium package, provides a genuinely nice aural experience too.

Smartphone integration for both Apple and Android phones requires a cable, but we're finding wired connections to be more robust and reliable now anyway. There's no wireless phone charger, but there are two USB ports, a 12-volt outlet and a 120-volt, 150-watt plug as power sources. The MX-30's advanced driving aid suite is pretty comprehensive, and we like the operation of the adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring systems. The optional 360-degree camera system is very helpful for parking too.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The MX-30's trump card is its cargo area. Clearly, grocery space was more important for Mazda's designers than rear passenger space. There's 21 cubic feet behind the rear seat, which is among the bigger capacities for small EVs. There's no frunk as with some other EVs, but you probably won't miss it. The rear seatbacks split in a 60/40 configuration and, unlike those in the Nissan Leaf, fold pretty flat, allowing easy loading of long items.

The cabin makes pretty good use of storage space, with a generous open space right below the drive selector for things like small purses, wallets, phones and other detritus. Clever flip-down covers for the cupholders make for a nice, flat space for phone storage as well, with their cork trim helping keep things in place.

The one thing the MX-30 is not well suited for is car seats. Although there are three possible spots, your best bet for installing one is going to be in the middle, where it's less likely to affect front seat space. The Isofix anchors are pretty easy to access behind removable plastic tabs, but space is your biggest hurdle here.

Range and Efficiency

5.5/10

How are the range and efficiency? The MX-30 is one of the smaller cars in the segment, and its 35.5-kWh battery is sized to match, which is why its EPA-estimated range is quite short: just 100 miles. The EPA also estimates that the MX-30 will use 37 kWh worth of electricity for every 100 miles of driving. That's shockingly inefficient, considering the 1,000-hp Tesla Model S Plaid is estimated to only use 33 kWh/100 miles.

In Edmunds' real-world testing, we managed to eke out 114 miles on a single charge, and once it was fully charged again, we calculated a more efficient use of energy than the EPA's estimate: 29.6 kWh/100 miles.

The Mazda's 6.6-kW onboard charger is less powerful than most, but since the battery is so small, it can charge from 20% to 80% capacity on a 240-volt Level 2 power source in under three hours. You can also change the same percentage in about 36 minutes using a DC fast charger under the right conditions.

Value

7/10

Is the MX-30 a good value? Mazda manages to make all of its interiors look sleek and upscale regardless of materials used. Even the more eco-conscious materials somehow look premium, and all the touch surfaces are either well padded or have an interesting trim — like cork! The dash is wrapped in vegan leather and the seats use a nice breathable cloth upholstery. It's really well done, and everything feels solid and of quality.

That said, once people see the performance and range they're getting at the MX-30's price, it's going to be a hard sell. The MX-30 may be well suited for how people actually drive if they were honest in assessing their needs, but that's not what most people want.

Just like the MX-30, Mazda's warranty is also nothing extraordinary, with a pretty standard three years/36,000 miles of basic, five years/60,000 miles of powertrain, and eight years/100,000 miles of battery coverage. Roadside assistance is provided for the duration of the basic warranty. Unlike some other automakers, Mazda does not offer a free charging plan to start.

Wildcard

8/10

The MX-30 claws back some points here because we love the way it handles and engages us from the driver's seat. If you can manage to find some fun roads before you run out of electrons, then you might be surprised too. We also respect that the MX-30 has some personality. It's not look-at-me ostentatious, but when you see it, you're not quite sure what it is. It's sort of an SUV/hatchback, but with the Mazda RX-8's and BMW i3's unique clamshell doors.

Which MX-30 does Edmunds recommend?

Save some money and stick with the Base model since the MX-30's limited range means it makes far less sense as the price climbs. This trim level also comes pretty well equipped in terms of comfort and safety features, so there isn't a pressing need to upgrade.

Compare 2022 Mazda MX-30 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2022 Mazda MX-30 models

The Mazda MX-30 is a small electric hatchback that comes in two available trim levels: Base and Premium Plus. Both models have a 35.5-kWh battery pack that powers an electric motor attached to the front wheels. In total, the system makes 143 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. All MX-30s are front-wheel drive, with no option for all-wheel drive. Feature highlights include:

Base
Kicks things off with:

18-inch wheels
Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Sunroof
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Head-up information display
Digital gauge cluster
8.8-inch center touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Heated front seats
Simulated leather seating
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Single-zone automatic climate control
Eight-speaker stereo system

Safety equipment that comes standard on the base model includes the following:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the MX-30 and the car in front)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Lane keeping assist (steers the MX-30 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line)

Premium Plus
This optional package includes additional equipment, such as:

Additional exterior colors
18-inch wheels with unique finish
Keyless entry
Heated steering wheel
12-speaker premium audio system

Driver aids and other safety features added into the package include:

Front and rear parking sensors
360-degree surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the MX-30 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Blind Spot Assist (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Front cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your path while driving)

2022 Mazda MX-30 EV Insights

Trim:

MX-30 Base

Estimated Range Based on Age

edmunds TESTED

108 miles^{The range for a used 2022 Mazda MX-30 is estimated to be 108 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 108 miles.^{Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

Estimated range map^{This map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Ashburn, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging

SAE Combo^{Standard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.}

Plug Type

5.3 hrs

240V Home Charging^{Estimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.}

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles^{The federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.}

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.^{Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,225

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$63/mo

MX-30

$155/mo

SUV Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) ^{This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.}
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
^{This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.}
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more ^{Edmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.}

Need to install a charger at home?

Get a free quote

See All EV Insights

See Edmunds pricing data

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Mazda MX-30 Reviews

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2022 Mazda MX-30 video

These Are the Electric Cars with the Worst Range | The Lowest-Range EVs We've Tested

Here at Edmunds, we're constantly testing new cars, and we've got a special process for electric ones. Every electric car we test is taken on the Edmunds EV Range Test, a real-world driving route, and driven until the battery is just about empty. Based on that test, the electric vehicles in this video are the ones we've found to have the lowest ranges. Edmunds' Lauren…

2022 MX-30 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,470
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,225 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	100 miles
Cost to Drive	$63/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	5.3 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the MX-30 models:

Mazda Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-set distance between the CX-30 and the car in front.
Lane Keep Assist: Steers the MX-30 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker.
Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.6%

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2022 Mazda MX-30 Review

Price & Payment

2022 Mazda MX-30 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Range and Efficiency

Value

Wildcard

Which MX-30 does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Mazda MX-30 models

2022 Mazda MX-30 EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Mazda MX-30 Reviews

There are no consumer reviews for the 2022 Mazda MX-30.

2022 Mazda MX-30 video

These Are the Electric Cars with the Worst Range | The Lowest-Range EVs We've Tested

2022 MX-30 Highlights

Safety

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