Mazda MX-30 Electric now on sale

Mazda Australia’s first electric vehicle won’t be cheap, but the Japanese car-maker says the 2021 Mazda MX-30 Electric will be superior to its rivals in a number of key areas.

Available to order from today (May 5) ahead of first deliveries in August, the ground-breaking Mazda MX-30 Electric is being offered in a single, top-spec Astina grade priced at $65,490 plus on-road costs – almost double the $33,990 starting price of the Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid released in April.

That makes the Mazda MX-30 Electric significantly pricier than Australia’s cheapest electric SUV, the new MG ZS EV ($43,990 drive-away), but lineball with the recently updated Hyundai Kona Electric, which is priced between $62,000 and $66,000 for the Highlander flagship.

Other upcoming small electric SUV rivals will include the Kia Niro EV, Nissan Ariya, Lexus UX 300e and Toyota bZ4X.

The pricing also ensures it will qualify for Victoria’s newly-announced $3000 EV subsidy.

While a plug-in rotary range-extender powertrain will arrive next year – potentially followed by a cheaper version of the EV – the Mazda MX-30 Electric is powered by a 107kW/271Nm electric motor that delivers 200km of “real-world emissions-free driving between charges”, says Mazda.

That gives it a shorter driving range than both the Kona Electric (484km WLTP) and the MG ZS EV (263km WLTP).

However, Mazda says its brand strength and the design of the MX-30, which unlike its two existing competitors is a dedicated electrified model with a coupe-like design, will be key attractions for potential customers.

“If you’re comparing it to other models you can buy, then design will be the biggest thing that attracts people, as well as the certainty, the comfort level or the attraction of the [Mazda] brand,” Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak told carsales.

“Why do people buy a Mazda3 or a CX-9 over something else? The story doesn’t change. The fact it’s got an EV powertrain doesn’t change those fundamentals of brand.

“Ultimately, the design is the drawcard. Design appeal is something we’ve been very strong in recent times and specifically for MX-30 it’s a unique story.

“From a design point of view, that sort of coupe-SUV design, the freestyle doors, the different elements of Kodo design even from a Mazda point of view really do make it stand out.

“We know how important design is in the purchase process for many people. There’s a strong sustainable material story inside too, and the quality of materials as well really make it a step up.”

Doak said safety and driving dynamics will also be unique propositions for the Mazda MX-30 Electric, just 100 examples of which are initially available to pre-order via Mazda’s public website now.

The Mazda MX-30 Electric is the only vehicle in its class to be awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP rating under the independent safety body’s more stringent 2020 testing regime and standard safety equipment will include:

• 360° View Monitor
• Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
• 10 Airbags: front (driver and passenger), side (front and rear), knee (driver), far side (driver) and curtain (front and rear)
• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
• Cruising & Traffic Support
• Driver Attention Alert
• Driver monitoring
• Emergency Lane Keeping with Road Keep Assist
• Emergency Lane Keeping with Blind Spot Assist
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
• Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
• Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
• Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane-keep Assist System (LAS)
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go
• Front/rear parking sensors
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Reverse camera
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Smart Brake Support (SBS), including Smart Brake Support – Front (SBS-F) with pedestrian and cycle detection, Smart Brake Support – Rear (SBS-R), Smart Brake Support – Rear Crossing (SBS-RC) and Smart Brake Support – Turn-across Traffic

Mazda is also claiming the MX-30 will deliver class-leading handling dynamics, thanks in part to a new application of its existing G-Vectoring Control system dubbed e-GVC, which links steering inputs with torque delivery to each front wheel in order to improve stability and cornering agility.

“It really is a great fun car to drive as well,” said Doak, who added that the Mazda MX-30 Electric Astina also boasts a lengthy standard equipment list, including a new windscreen head-up display and the following:

• 18-inch bright-finish alloy wheels
• Powered exterior mirrors with auto folding function, heating function and memory
• Exterior mirror with auto dimming function (driver)
• Exterior mirrors with reverse tilt down function
• Glass sunroof with power tilt and slide
• Auto on/off LED headlights
• Rear spoiler
• Rear wiper with intermittent function
• Two-speed front wipers with rain-sensing function
• Advanced keyless entry
• Advanced keyless push-button start
• 7.0-inch TFT LCD multi-information meter display
• Air-conditioning, single-zone climate control with touch-screen controls
• Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
• Electric parking brake with Auto Hold
• Heated front seats
• Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, leather wrapped with heating
• Leather-wrapped gear shift knob
• Overhead sunglass storage box
• Power windows with auto up/down (all windows)
• Seat trim: Vintage Brown Maztex with black cloth
• Driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment (including lumbar adjustment) and two-position memory
• Rear seat row with centre fold down arm rest
• Rear seat row with 60/40-split folding back rest
• Vanity mirrors (front) with illumination
• 8.8-inch widescreen colour display (Mazda Connect)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Hands-free Bluetooth with audio capability (MP3 compatible)
• 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, with FM tuner and DAB+ Digital Radio
• Multi-function commander control
• Satellite navigation
• USB input (iPod compatible)
• Type 2 portable charger

Three standard paint colours will be available – Ceramic Metallic, Jet Black Mica and Arctic White – alongside Machine Grey Metallic and Polymetal Grey Metallic premium hues for an extra $495.

In addition, there are unique three-tone finishes: Mazda’s trademark Soul Red Crystal Metallic or Ceramic Metallic matched with grey pillars and a black roof, and Polymetal Grey matched with silver pillars and a black roof, for $1490, $995 and $1490 respectively.

A range of genuine accessories and charging options will also be available. Owners will be able to purchase an AC home charging facility through Mazda’s EV infrastructure partner, JetCharge, but technical and availability details are yet to be announced. The list of dealer-fit accessories is:

• Slimline Weathershields
• Bonnet Protector
• Headlight Protector
• Front mud guards
• Rear mud guards
• Floor mats
• Illuminated scuff plates
• Cargo tray
• Boot lip protector
• Cargo organiser box
• Bike rack – wheel on
• Bike rack – wheel off
• Universal carrier
• Kayak holder
• Roof racks
• Retractable cables for Audio USB, USB to lightning connector, USB to micro USB, AUX, USB to USB Type C
• Coloured key shells in gold, brushed aluminium or carbon-fibre

The MX-30 Electric will be sold and serviced by a nationwide network of 100 Mazda dealers. Service intervals are 12-month/15,000km and capped-price service is offered via Mazda Service Select, which costs $1273.79 for the first five years.

Like all new Mazdas, it’s backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five-year Mazda Premium Roadside Assistance coverage, and the lithium-ion battery pack is warranted for eight years.

The EV will also be part of Mazda Finance’s Mazda Assured loan program, which includes Guaranteed Future Value, lower monthly repayments and the option of trading-in, keeping or returning their vehicle at the end of the one-to-four-year loan term.

First revealed at 2019 Tokyo motor show, the MX-30 Electric is powered Mazda’s first EV drivetrain.

Developed completely in-house, the e-SKYACTIV system comprises a water-cooled AC synchronous electric motor developing 107kW of power and 271Nm of torque, a 355-volt lithium-ion battery, inverter, DC-DC converter and AC standard charger.

The motor, inverter, DC-DC converter and junction box are integrated into a single high-voltage unit at the front of the vehicle, while the high-voltage 35.5kWh battery pack resides beneath the floor.

Mazda says the latter’s modest size stays true to its ‘well-to-wheel’ emissions philosophy: “Its size was chosen to minimise CO2 emissions throughout its lifecycle, from initial resource extraction to installation, full-cycle usage and finally battery disposal, while delivering 200km of real-world emissions-free driving between charges.”

Drive is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gear transmission and both Type 2 AC and Combo 2 DC charging connections are mounted on the right rear fender.

Mazda says the benchmark 20-80 per cent charge is completed in approximately three hours using an AC wallbox or public charger at 6.6kWh, while a 50kWh DC fast-charger reduces that time to just 36 minutes.

The Mazda MX-30 Electric will be supplied with a portable charger that can be plugged into a standard 240V/10A power point, via which the same charge takes around nine hours.

Stand by for our first Australian drive of the Mazda MX-30 Electric next month.