2022 Mazda MX-30 review // Mazda's first EV. What about that range?

[@BoopSnoot]

"Very interesting decisions" that's the most polite and positive spin I've heard on "WTF were you thinking". For everyone that thought that EVs had to be fast, look cool, or have decent range in 2022, Mazda comes to defy your expectations!

[@paulholterhaus7084]

Until They ship a million instead of 520....They have not defied anything...........Paul

[@bryanhuang5483]

Zack's face crying for help in that little backseat window is the highlight of this video lol

[@andreaspencer9813]

I know, I laughed too when I saw it.

[@mowcowbell]

This Mazda ("Mahzda in Canada) is definitely getting a lot of review coverage for a California compliance vehicle. Mazda is planning on building a whole 750 (!) of them. The price is very near to the VW ID.4 Pro model which offers 250 miles of range, 3 years of free DC fast charging, and is available in all 50 states.

[@TalismanPHX]

A electric "compliance" vehicle. Needs a vastly increased range, but the interior is gorgeous. Well done review, as always 👏

[@jillthompson6110]

Mazda just doesn't have the battery technology to offer a longer range. Otherwise, they would not have released this in the year 2021 when electric cars come with 400km+ of range as standard. For the same price, you can get the new IONIQ 5 or the KIA EV 6 which blows this out of the water with a sub-4-second acceleration and a 400KM range.

[@RealKevGotEm]

They made this car to shut the American government up. That’s why. carmakers don’t want to make electric vehicles it’s all BS

[@exomnius]

We love our MX-30! Work perfect as a second car for us that live 20 miles outside the city, and need 2 cars anyway. Have a diesel with 700 miles range for longer trips (wich only is a couple of times a year), but for daily comute , a trip to the town etc it work just fine, and it's really fun and comfortable to drive. We usually charge it to 80%, and rearly go under 20%, and charge it over night with the granny. But if you need to go over 100 miles regulary, this is not the car for you

[@kentgabriel3572]

From the states here....I just watched another video on this car and in that video a good point was brought up about the complimentary gas vehicle for up to ten days annually......BMW tried that back when they first brought out the I3 and it failed miserably. Tho Mazada USA says that you'll be able to get a gas vehicle for ten days it all comes down to dealer participation. You may find some dealers that will comply with the policy....how ever, dealers being "third party" most will probably tell you no due to all vehicles being out as service loaners or just "no, I'm not lending you a new vehicle off our lot for you to take on vacation" Gosh, most of the time I can't even get a loaner when I take mine in for an issue that might take more than one day to address.....and thats after you can get over the lack of power, range, efficiency for the money.....clearly a gas chassis being converted to EV or eventually PHEV. Nice interior. Questionably exterior but beauty/style is subjective....even as a second car I'd have to say a hard pass on this one from me. As always, great review! Keep'm coming! 👍🏼

[@Tinrs80]

FACT 💯

[@akilghosh]

160kms of range in summer for Canada. Mazda is nuts 😂

[@bill7481]

I would buy this for its looks. Most EVs are made to look weird but not this one. While I am not a fan of the suicide doors, the silhouette is beautiful. The interior is beautiful, and the use of recycled plastics and cork is clever and innovative. I also love that it has a sunroof. In short, in spite of its crippling range, it’s the first vehicle that has made me seriously consider an EV.

[@joeisawesome540]

One of our neighbors got one and we constantly laugh at them as we drive by in our ev6

[@kellingtonlink956]

I love nothing more than a wonderful drive on a Fall weekend. To take in the colours and leaves in Gatineau Park (National). But with the range of an remote control toy car... I would hardly be able to get even an hours worth of driving in. Total. Both ways. Basically 30 minutes before that range anxiety would kick in, questioning whether I’d make it home or not. Forget going skiing in the Winter (75% because of temperatures? If that.). Cute looking vehicle though. Thanks for the video.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

You guys work so well together with great information and filming . Awesome team. Why would a major car company produce a car that’s targeted as a second car.

[@andreaspencer9813]

Thank you very much, glad you are enjoying the content.

[@Nikephorus]

The range is far to low for the price you're paying. If it was like 10k cheaper sure, but almost 50k for this thing is way too pricy.

[@janoycresnova9156]

It is far too under powered and cramped inside too. This should be $25k max for what you're getting.

[@nadeemp1966]

I just picked up my 718 GT4 from porsche centre Vancouver. I think I am going to get this as a city commuter. Thanks for the review guys

[@Motormouth...]

Congrats on the GT4, what a machine!

[@nadeemp1966]

@@Motormouth... thanks boss. Maybe see you at the Porsche meets

[@andreaspencer9813]

Thanks for watching!

[@10OF9OFBORG]

The car is ok. My sister lives 192 km and I may ran of juice before I get there. Like Zack said 2010 range. 😆 Great video Andrea!

[@andreaspencer9813]

Yes, just not good enough in the range department. Did you notice Instagram was down all day today. Crazy! Thanks for watching.

[@10OF9OFBORG]

@@andreaspencer9813 yes it’s it not the first time social media are down. Oh well!

[@jaycasbon2749]

Took me a year to get to this review - I just read that a rotary "range extender" is to soon appear - that is what I would be interested in! Great review, as always, you two! Jay

[@oldatarigamer]

MX used to be the designation for "experimental" and to a good deal that's what this is. It will be interesting how they get batteries into a Miata.

[@2W3X4YZ5]

I like it, but need over 300 miles of range. My CX-9 is about 1/4 of the way through its life cycle so I will keep high hopes. Mazda did promise us a rotary engine range extender for this. I’d like a hybrid CX-8 for the USA-Thats the vehicle I need right now. Thanks for the video. Cheers.

[@barney2001]

Good review and summary. Thank you. You also need to consider what actually happens when an EV's battery gets low. On our EV it starts warning when the battery is down to about 20% and will start shutting down radio etc. at less than 10%. At 10% it can go into turtle mode which seriously limits speed in order to help you limp to a charger. So don't expect to arrive home with 2% of range and no consequences. Most don't let the battery get below 10% so you need to subtract that from the range. Also, in the winter (not Vancouver), we can sometimes get only 60% of summer range. It's not a problem with 400km but 160? Hope you don't commute from Abbotsford.

[@robbilton9006]

Dynamic handling but you'll run out of range before reaching roads that you can enjoy in B.C. if you live in the lower mainland

[@korey403]

hahaahahahaha ! so true ! you might ends up in the middle of the lions gate bridge

[@mica32j]

So they should have introduced this with the rotary range extender like they did in Europe

[@kmckenzie2461]

I love it. It looks old but new! Its neat! I really like the shape of it especially the side profile. I also love the seats as I prefer cloth over leather.

[@rajakundi8959]

Zack looking like a boss in that Lacoste jacket

[@alainpaquin627]

I'm the owner of a 2023 Mazda MX-30 GS as my first EV because I like the look & finish and the way it handles. Price wise, it's pretty good as Mazda offers a 4000$ rebate and another 12000$ in rebates from the federal & provincial governments (Quebec, Canada). I have to say I use it as a second vehicle to do all my shopping/groceries/meetings etc... all within 40 km from my house and I won't use it during winter time (October 31 to may 01). I understand the range is said to be 160 km but I've done more than 180 km on rural roads & city roads and it was showing15% left! But if you're looking for a primary vehicle for all year around including long trips, you should consider an EV with a 360 km minimum range knowing that in winter time when it's really cold (-20c +), you'll be using "heating/heated seats/heated streering etc..." which will have a negative impact on the range (minus 40% +) and it will take longer to charge. 😊 I forgot to mention, my average is 16 kwh/100 km.

[@florents.27]

I agree with you, it is a good second car, or first car for a very young driver! But it restricts the market heavily.

[@davevan9150]

A small electric cuv with character, I'm sold. On the hybrid version... when it gets here.

[@Jeo-What]

You guys are a gentleman and a lady to give such kind word for this review.... Mazda, please GET A GRIP and not produce a nonsense EV just to show the consumer they made one in 2021. It's a complete waste of chips that is so needed for other vehicles even in their own company.

[@Vanilla_Donut]

Yeah, about $42k for 161 km range is just too expensive in my opinion. It needs to be near the $30k price. You then have the winter to contend with and that range will get smaller. It makes sense Mazda is targeting Quebec and BC as they have provincial rebates on top of the federal one which makes it more palatable.

[@fokker4uify]

For people in California, it will be around 23k USD after Fed/state credits.

[@TheUnderPowerful]

Happy with my cx 30. Would be interested in this in a few years once they improve the range

[@stephen0406]

This didn't age well, at 50k+ CAD, the Tesla Model 3 blows this out of the water with their recent price drop and refresh.

[@davidbrentdrums9890]

Love your reviews, guys!

[@andreaspencer9813]

Thank you so much! :)

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Looks like an awesome city daily 2nd vehicle IF the price was considerably lower. Super interior and I bet the handling is superior to the Kona etc. I have to agree with Zaccherino...if the battery is the biggest cost of an EV, what gives here?!?

[@genzigzag]

Thanks for the review Andrea and Zack! We are looking to replace one of our cars for an EV and it will be a car that will be used for local runs... I was curious about the MX-30 compared to the Mini EV. Concerned about the price point considering all local rebates.

[@cassiocm]

They should put a small 2 cylinder gas motor (with maybe a 5 gallons small tank) just to replenish the battery.

[@petew7314]

Besides the EV range is sub standard compared to other EV vehicles these days, I pretty much dislike the back doors. No pillars for protection to the occupants if the car gets t-boned in a accident

[@dash-ryan]

Mazda made this to comply to EV regulatory mandates. The only other reason to release a woefully inadequate product like this is to act as a test bed for future products. Any attempt to sell this anywhere outside the west coast in Canada, or North America, will be a complete and utter disaster, and Mazda knows it. As their first EV in North America, I believe it's going to hurt their brand more than it will help it.

[@brentweaver2964]

Yep!

[@ljpr360]

For me on Vancouver Island the range is enough and the EV incentives were enough to convince me to trade in my Mazda 6.

[@michaelwiebe4282]

Excellent review, Andrea Zack! I am in no market for an EV, but this range would sort this Mazda out for me, although it is an attractive car if you wouldn't consider the range!

[@johnwordley916]

I just put a deposit down for MX30 with the range extender - that is the perfect vehicle - 160km of EV will satisfy 99% of my daily drives. The Wankel engine kicks in for the longer trips. Even in Ottawa Canada (2nd coldest capital city in the world) the drop off in range in winter won’t be a problem. Mazda are very clever with this concept. The Wankel engine is perfect for this type of use.

[@noahboy6349]

Available with cloth seat only, manual driver and passenger seat adjustment, and only 100 miles per charge. The 1st generation Nissan Leaf offered 117 km (73 miles) in 2010. And the resale value will plummet in 1-3 years with the low battery range.

[@Gman450a1]

Yikes! A little $$ (for such short range) and I don't think those doors will work for a young family. Thanks for the review.

[@andreaspencer9813]

Thanks for watching, there are definitely some misses here.

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

My wife's 2018 Ford Focus Electric has better stats, and is likely more fun to drive. The Nissan Leaf is at least $10,000 less and offers good tech, more range, and more space, with an engaging drive as well.

[@Bonjurro]

Whatever you do don't put the blame on you Blame it on the range (yeah yeah). Milli Vanilli

[@leftcoaster67]

Well, it's better than the first generation Leaf. But that's not saying much.

[@robertduklus6555]

most usless car of the year award goes to.......2020 mx30

[@TheJc71693]

This is not worth more than $23000 + a federal rebate. I wouldn't even pay 23000 for it.

[@Robingriyaproperti]

I still prefer the ICE version because of its small range similar to Nissan Leaf.

[@BryceCampbell]

Yeah, it's a compliance vehicle. If the range was about 100km more, than it may have been something to consider.

[@micheleheynes4298]

Love your reviews. Zack, comically mouthing help me when in the back seats. If I have to do a low range EV, I would definitely have to go for the Mini Cooper SE, it has enough range for a weeks driving, this unfortunately wouldn't even cover a weeks worth of driving in winter. Out of the 4 alternatives, my choice would go to the Kona, as it has the range and I could do 120km/h with ease and still return with battery range to spare. I know, with the Mini, I'm limited to 80km/h if I do my longer distance family visitations, and that doesn't bother me, as I'll return with 10-15% battery. The Mazda, I wouldn't feel comfortable until it has fully charged before even attempting the trip back. The design looks wonderful, the rear seats will be the other elephant in the room. Not even I would feel comfortable in the rear. The Mini says it's small, making a cramped rear feel more acceptable. If as a second car, and charging it every second or third day, and only using it for around town as the school dropper, go to work, pick up children and the going home after work, it seems viable. And yes, a larger vehicle for longer trips would be essential. Andrea, I know you love Mazda. If it was a vehicle you only had to use to, A) drive to the office and shops, excluding the children transporter. Would you consider it? Or, B) the stay at home mom, doing the school run, shops, gym, school run, extramural activities for the kids. Would this work? And remember the weekend activities where the kids might need to be taken for matches further away goes with option B.

[@andreaspencer9813]

Hi there, sure it works as a second vehicle with short trips in the city as a run around vehicle. Since the range is so low, Mazda should have priced this around $30,000, people might actually consider it because the interior is beautiful and I think it handles really well. But, they priced it as high as other EV's that have 400 km of range. I would rather just buy an EV with more range for the same price. At least, I know I will never get stuck anywhere and I have the option to travel further if I want to. I would also be concerned about resale value on this, people won't be interested in a vehicle with 160 km/100 miles of EV range. Too many negatives and I love Mazda, but this can't compete with other EV's.

[@Beck248]

I do like the look of this EV…love the faux grill, and that the battery is under the hood. 🙂

[@canocano5480]

Omg!! Volt gets 257 miles. This is like the leaf 115 miles. Not good! I like the design, but leg room SUCKS!! Like the range

[@jywn]

This was build in mind with the range extender, but at the right price it could be the right vehicle for someone

[@dansanger5340]

Range like that isn't even enough for a golf cart.

[@benzbubblecat]

In the majority of the country, the charging infrastructure is not good enough for convenient and reliable long EV trips anyway, whether your EV has 100km of range or 400km. I think that lots of people will be getting an EV as their second car and using the gas vehicle for roadtrips.

[@Antiorganizer]

Again with the Mazda NARROW trunk! That is WITH Mazda and NARROW trunks??? So much hollow space behind those walls.

[@marcelstanford430]

If they had brought the PHEV version here first they wouldn't have bothered with this one, I think that's why this is here first. They'll sell a few but not many and they know it.

[@stegorman2509]

Great video ! I love electronic cars ! ❤️ and the interior is stunning ! 🤘

[@andreaspencer9813]

Thank you!

[@mohtashim78]

If this has a generator like the BMW i3 then it would actually be useful and not just pretty ! If it had better range this would be better than the BMW i3 for a daily

[@scottnewellguitar]

Even the MINI has (barely) better range than this. Good luck Mazda! LOL

[@Arcticarc1]

And i would get the mini wayyy before this

[@korey403]

@@Arcticarc1 style and handling ! Mini all day long, lol

[@siclmn]

Having bought an early Nissan Leaf used I loved the car except for the range anxiety of only 70 miles. I couldn't go anywhere except for the town that I lived in. That is a lot of money for a car that doesn't go anywhere. I went back to an ICE car. I will wait for a 400 mile range car that I can afford which might be a long time.

[@Halfez248]

7:18 almost missed that in the window 😂

[@jacekkaminski5698]

The range should only be a concern for those who don't own another car, as you quoted less than 15% of buyers. When it comes to resale value, bear in mind those batteries won't last forever and if you have to replace the long-range batteries, cost will be significantly higher, a good few grands. So, in the long run, Mazda can actually make much more sense. Plus, charging smaller capacity batteries is quicker. Finally, initially you said it was more expensive than competitors while at the comparison it looks like only a base price Chevy is a bit cheaper. And we all know Mazda in a base trim offers usually much more than other manufacturers. Finally the looks. It's the only one that looks like a car, outside and inside. The rest are more or less Frankensteins, not mentioning the quality of materials.

[@bcluett1697]

I know people in my family tree that have gas cars that sit so long they end up with drained batteries and other maintenance issues. This might be a good replacement for some of them but those doors were a big turn off. Especially considering kids and the damage you could end up with if the little door was to be slammed over the big one in a rush. Now that you tell me the other markets have hybrids in there it makes more sense that they probably just wanted an EV entry and stripped out the gas parts and sorted the electric side out with existing parts for cost savings and availabilty in the chip shortage. I wonder if they will add a new electric setup in the coming years or just introduce a new car altogether.

[@stephenhendricks103]

The deluge of complaints about range are expected. But Andrea's comment about the MX-30 being meant as a second (or third) vehicle in a household is well taken. The same can be said about the MINI-E, another short range small car. And in that case MINI makes no bones about the fact that they expect to sell it to consumers with one or more longer range vehicles. Consider the following "use case." We're a family of three drivers (plus a big dog). Myself, my wife, and our 17 y/o daughter. We have two vehicles, my beloved GTI and a KIA Sorento SUV that's my wife's daily driver and the family's highway slogger for trips. Now that our daughter is driving she pesters each of us on a daily basis to drive one or the other. Altogether, we put 20K-25K miles on the two cars, at least 80% (or more) being local miles. If we had an EV that could absorb, say, 10,000 miles a year it would mean a savings in fuel alone of nearly $2000 or more (USD). Furthermore, considering the almost negligible maintenance costs of an EV, we'd save some bucks there, as well. In addition, it would significantly reduce the wear, tear, and depreciation on our other vehicles. That's not a minor issue since I plan to be buried in my GTI and my wife's cold, dead fingers will have to pried off the steering wheel of her Sorento before she lets it go. Finally, both my wife and I work from home and it's only about 5 miles from our daughter's high school. A hundred mile range, especially with a level 2 home recharging station would be more than adequate for local missions. While there's no question that the 3 of us can struggle through the inconvenience of having "only" two cars, there would be some value in eliminating the minor hassles having three drivers entails. And some additional benefit of even a minor impact on emissions and global climate change. Of course, all of this ignores the initial purchase price of an EV. A used car would be considerably less to purchase than the, say, $25K plus TTL of a MX-30 or MINI-E. (with a $7500 tax rebate.) But having recently priced used cars in the Seattle metro area I find that at least $15,000 (USD) would be required to purchase a car I would consider. Absorbing the additional cost of a new car without the largely unknown history of a used car (even with a clean Carfax) might well be worth that premium, especially when the latter is likely to be an ICE vehicle.

[@limpunsing224]

Are you ready for any EV, Andrea? Nice review

[@andreaspencer9813]

Not quite, I'll wait a bit longer. Thanks for watching, glad you liked the review.

[@yuander]

160km is probably the best number in summer, you will know the real range in Canadian winter.

[@stuntmonkey00]

Embargo day is weird, so many channels have up vids today for a car that so few people are going to want to buy.

[@andreaspencer9813]

I dislike embargos.

[@nripdogra1481]

I won’t be able to get it home. The nearest Mazda Dealership is 170 kms away 😂

[@uniquelypositive]

Great looking car and it would do well if it weren't for the range

[@hermanchow1405]

Once I heard the range is 161 km ( 100 mi ) , then immediately stopped watching sorry guys !

[@ejohnson3131]

So you can’t get an EV for under $40K?

[@jasonrobards7695]

Tttally understand that 160KM is too low. However statistically 97% of all trips are less than 100km at a time. So if the price is proportionally OK (or a second hand purchase that's cheaper) it may be worth it to certain people in the market for this type of car.

[@bonjoeyt3]

Im getting this! Then 13b swap!

[@SHAHMRUGESH]

wow great car information. nice video, like , good evening

[@andreaspencer9813]

Thank you very much!

[@patapojsubsoonthorn3717]

Best​ Japanese​ car​ now.

[@korey403]

True ! with the best EV range !

[@JungleEddie]

If it had 10kwh more, at this price, I would buy it.

[@CBCEDD]

I expect this car to depreciate in value the most compared to any other EV similar to BMW i3. Funny enough, it looks like this car is heavily influenced on the i3's feature

[@msmith3537]

So, if you run out of juice in the winter you can burn the cork for warmth. Hopefully, help arrives in time.

[@ichigouzumaki324]

WTF is Mazda thinking with this vehicle? 100 Mile range......lol

[@leejsom3605]

totally fine the first EV for Mazda. I think they will publish more EV cars in the next few years.

[@korey403]

the next one will be range of 199km lolz

[@Utbr88]

The should make it PHEV or with range extender.

[@doclees11]

Not bad for $20k. $47k? Maybe it will be stocking staffers for Mazda executives this year.

[@ronhudson3730]

One more thing. No screens. No bells. No whistles. 5 seats. 450km’s. Fast charging and 30k. The formula for the next Model T that will change the industry.

[@gregnote8818]

How does this compare this to Mini Cooper EV?

[@misteryu6819]

They used an SUV platform and managed to build a car with 2nd row legroom less than the BMW i3. Just get the 2017 BMW i3 with range extender, feels more premium, feels roomier, faster, much more range (200km + 120km), no range anxiety, and CHEAPER!!

[@misteryu6819]

No frunk either

[@takuan650]

This MX30 is originally a petrol car platform but Mazda has changed tack and shoehorned an electric system into the chassis and sells this concoction as their first electric Mazda. They know the shortcomings and that this is not going to sell, but they want to be on the EV map. Mazda is way behind the other EV brands and it will take years before they have something remotely competitive for sale. The sticker price is a lame brainer, 'Kami Kaze' suicidal!

[@nattga]

So Mazda is selling the unicorn.

[@grantboucher2696]

suicide doors on my element in a parking lot was a real pain with kids

[@davidp.4727]

161 km of range during a Quebec winter ? Forget it, never gonna happen. Basically, 5 months of the year it will get 100 - 110 km tops. Why not just buy an old Nissan Leaf as you said . This should have been a PHEV !

[@chrisalthorp4771]

What's wrong with the range - go to work/shops/golf club/gym and plug it in at night. How many people who use this will use it other than for short trips. I've lived in Van - most of the time standing still anyway :)

[@jillthompson6110]

Come wintertime in the Northeast, that thing's range will be cut to 80 miles, instead of the full 100. Not good enough.

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

My 2012 leaf epa range was 73 miles but this is a city car people shouldn’t expect it to be more than what it is. The price should be cheaper. The mini e has 100 miles .

[@DrPriiime]

Good review

[@vince7349]

Any electric car with less than 400 k range is à no go . 160k range? Mazda missed the boat on this one

[@bigbufobufo]

They should have brought the hybrid version to North America

[@richardmichael59]

So as a daily driver back and forth to work M-F, you get 30+ kms a day on a single charge. Hmm.. Or plug it in your regular household outlet and get a full charge in 13 hours. Hmmm…

[@Texter4545]

Love it for what it is but Mazda needs to hurry up and make a hybrid already! I have my 2019 Mazda 3 hatchback and I love it to the bone! Skyactiv is truly amazing! But Mazda can you please hurry up with a hybrid skyactiv!? Skyactiv X ain’t here yet and prob won’t come to North America. Having a hybrid skyactiv engine would be one of the best hybrid engines in the market! Or at least I think it would be lol

[@trickster_qc]

This car might be fun to drive and the interior nice but 161 km is not enough. And that 3rd door seems so badly implemented....

[@gobear83]

Great to drive around town ..at the cost of two Honda Civics…nope not going to happen

[@chinesesogood]

There was a saying, if Mazda engineers and designers make a car that is popular, they fail the job.

[@sammyt3514]

Too bad that Mazda wasted that great design, inside and, especially, out on a car that no one is going to buy because of the laughably short range!

[@danwills9981]

What were they thinking when they chose cork as an interior material? Have they never seen what happens to cork after it dries out? It will get filthy in no time and will start to crumble to the touch after one hot summer in the sun! That alone would cause me to walk away from this car. The CX-9 is the same price and it's super luxurious. They are going to regret this one!

[@SilverSamurai12]

The cork is treated so nothing to worry about here. Cork is pretty durable. But just thing, if you end up in river, you'll float! 🤣