Mazda MX-30 R-EV - The electric car for people who don't like electric cars.

[@AgitatedMinotaur]

Finally, a fantastic review on this car. A lot of other reviewers are just driving this car around in charge mode and then complaining about it eating petrol. It's nice to see someone driving the car around as it's meant to be used. This will be the next car I get when my lease is up for my Honda E, since this will fit my needs more since I won't have to worry too much about range when I do need to do a longer-ish trip a few times a year. You've gained a new sub!

[@houseofcars1973]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for watching, commenting and of course subscribing!

[@bjorn2625]

My usage would be the same - as a second runabout car this would suit us perfectly. I mainly drive it to do kid-taxi jobs and then once every quarter a trip to the airport for a business journey.

[@AgitatedMinotaur]

@@bjorn2625 this car seems perfect for that. And the interior doesn't seem like a downgrade what's a huge plus so even the small little journeys will be so nice!

[@amandafranklin6285]

I have one, the Makoto. I’ve done 1200 miles and love it. Of the 1200, I reckon 400 is electric and 800 is petrol. In petrol it does about 36mpg, which I consider great considering it’s a heavy car. In electric, I’m getting 4.4miles/kwh. I’ve used granny charging, fast charging and slow public too. Fast charges at around 30kw. I love it, it’s responsive and comfortable. I also tested a CHR PHEV, which is definitely a bit more economical, but the CHR just seemed a triumph of style over substance - and it was loud up hills, the drone of the CVT and really loud tyres for some reason. Anyway, I’d throughly recommend anyone to try the Mazda out.

[@bengoey]

Thanks for the feedback from a real life user of this vehicle.

[@SB-177]

This is the best MX 30 R-EV test I’ve seen. You have absolutely nailed it.

[@houseofcars1973]

What a charming comment. Thank you ever so much.

[@ioanniskoulelidis7847]

Ενα αυτοκίνητο που δείχνει απολυτα την διαφορετική νοοτροπια της Mazda στον κοσμο της αυτοκίνησης. Το λατρευω πραγματικά. Εξαιρετική η παρουσια σας.

[@NigelRudyard]

I did look at the EV, but decided the range was not enough. Like you, I occasionally have to do 300-500 mile round trips and like the flexibility of my HEV - just putting a bit more petrol in from time to time. So this is perfect. Great review.

[@cbbgenki4315]

i have the gasoline version of this car for 3 years now. Love the design. But now I am selling it so I can buy this r-ev version. My wife thinks i am bonkers but this car is perfect for my needs. Great review!!!

[@sebastianvis1]

I am a huge Mazda fan and have both MX-30, EV, and REV versions. The EV could be very annoying, especially in winter, when the short range is even shorter... But REV is another story. We have had this car for a few months and are very happy. In the city, we only use the EV driving mode for this car. We have made a long trip recently, from Germany to Spain and back. In total, it was 3000 km. The car was great. It is very comfortable, and you have wonderful visibility and great control. We used the Normal mode for this long trip and let the car do its job with the charging. The noise of the rotary engine is a little bit annoying, especially because of the contrast with the silence of the EV. The engine ignites when the battery reaches 41%, charges until 51%, and then switches off. It runs for about 10 minutes, then is silent for 10 minutes, and so on. You should be aware that this can be disturbing if you pay attention. Now, I have no problem anymore with that. Concerning oil consumption, I added 1 liter after 2000 km of driving in Normal mode without charging. I received a message that the level of oil was low. It is not a big deal. You open the bonnet, open the cover, and pour the oil.

[@sebastianvis1]

I just remembered that I had to speak about consumption. While mainly driving in town, I used half a tank in 2000 km. During the long journey to Spain, the consumption in Normal mode was 7.1 l/100 km. It is not bad!

[@user-vx9uw2ju4o]

Great review! I have the mild hybrid version of this car (Australia) and I absolutely love how different and quirky it is

[@houseofcars1973]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Good choice of car too!

[@farayibure4355]

A very well detailed review.. well done!

[@houseofcars1973]

Thank you kindly!

[@keithwells7892]

Excellent review as always Brian👏 Really like this car and Mazda’s thinking in creating it…. I almost took the plunge to order one last year, but I was spooked by the horrific depreciation of them….. No one seems to talk about that in new car reviews….. 🤔There’s a suggestion…..!

[@houseofcars1973]

It’s always in my mind to discuss depreciation, especially as an ex-motor trader. I’ve done it over on AutoEV (Audi etron anyone?) but it can age a review if things change. But it’s a fair point and one that I will consider for the future. Thank you for watching and taking the time comment. I really appreciate the feedback.

[@DizzerJoz]

That's exactly why I picked up a 3 year old electric one. If you count the savings compared to a gas car over 10 years, I basically got the car itself for free... One man's depreciation is another man's bargain

[@datathunderstorm]

These are great purchases after the initial depreciation, for the second hand buyer. I’m keeping my eye on one of these as a future purchase in a year or two. I had a 5th hand Mazda MX-3 Coupe for 8.5 years and thoroughly enjoyed the sheer originality and reliability of the vehicle. I’d love an MX-30 EV just before retirement. I’m not bothered by the short range - I’m no longer driving between cities - I just need a nice urban ride. I’d be using home charging to keep costs low. The MX-30 R-EV is obviously the pick of the crop. Love the availability of up to 400 miles per fill up. And while you might use that range extender more in winter with the extra heating demands, I’m totally okay with that. You’ll never be stranded again due to running out of electricity and kiss goodbye to range anxiety forever - the extra price for petrol is worth it. The premium uniqueness is very attractive - and that’s coming from a person who actually hates crossover SUVs. This one however, has me hooked…..!!! It’s a Crossover SUV Coupe - and I love Coupes…..!!! Nice one Mazda - and this is a brilliant review too. Thank you and well done! 😊

[@maenafon]

The most informative review I have seen. I would have liked to have seen the head up display and the all-round camera, though I realise that this was not on the car tested.

[@marlls1989]

First EV that I liked

[@michaelbaker9590]

Brilliant review I love the styling and use of recycled materials . I own a toyota yaris 2023 model design but the infotainment is old no navigation and the electric only is below 30 miles an hour which means the motor takes over . This car would be better for my daily commute because i could do it on electric only . I think the flap is a different size so people know which side is petrol lol

[@HuibHamer]

Love this car. Congrats to Mazda.

[@stevemccormack9948]

I have said it so often, it's the prettiest car from the entire modern era. A modern day classic. A subtle-elegant beauty. The range extender formula is also great because it means you can have the best of both worlds. My concerns are the oil burning and longevity of the rotary engine. I have no problems with the heavy fuel consumption as it's only an issue for longer journeys. And of course, you could probably still drive around in it on battery power only while the rotary engine is being rebuilt...

[@djdm2000]

Great review…. Thanks

[@houseofcars1973]

Thanks for watching!

[@harryfield3149]

If Mazda did this to the next CX5 revision, then I’m in, despite my being a vehement denier of the necessity for EV dominance. Beforehand I’d like to know that the battery comprises cells that aren’t of Chinese manufacture (as for the Pantera).

[@AlanMacdonald-on6nd]

Another cracking review as usual, any chance of getting an MGHS Hybrid + or plug in

[@houseofcars1973]

It’s coming…..

[@robdavies6682]

In short, this car works as brilliantly as the volt/Ampera which came out in 2011. So it’s taken this long to get back to the same point.

[@andrewc7189]

Will the rotary engine be more reliable than the one on the RX8? Will your local garage be able to service it?

[@DizzerJoz]

Much more reliable because of the fixed rpm band (no gearbox, no connection to the wheels)

[@datathunderstorm]

@@DizzerJoz The reliability issues on the 1,300cc Twin Rotor Rotary Engine in the old Mazda RX-8 was entirely down to the Wankel derived motor driving the wheels directly and being constantly revved well in excess of 9k RPM in order to eke out maximum sports car performance. This correspondingly wore the rotor tips down much quicker than would have been ideal. The Rotary power plant in the MX-30 does NOT EVER drive the wheels. I works exclusively as a generator sending electrical power directly to the 17.8kWh battery. The engine never exceeds 4.5k RPM maximum during operation - and mostly runs at a constant lower RPM speed during normal operations. Lower RPM's dramatically extend the life of the Rotary Engine and the latter is never under any heavy or critical operational loads like the Mazda RX-8 engine was.

[@JonathanHoldaway]

Good review thanks, would you know if you can use the battery 100% to 10% as my commute is 40 miles so would ideally like to run in EV mot days

[@houseofcars1973]

The car tends to let the battery level drop to 40% and then the engine starts to charge it, but I do believe you can override it by keeping it in “EV” mode.

[@houseofcars1973]

Oh, and thank you for watching!! Sorry, forgot to put that in my reply!

[@amandafranklin6285]

You can. I’ve pulled up at a charger with just 6% in the battery. And in the round, depending how heavy your foot is, a full battery will get you 50+ miles. Best I’ve achieved is 62 on a full battery down to that 6% just mentioned. I’ve never flattened it completely, in-fact I don’t think it’s possible as the engine will come on.

[@alecmally5433]

What changes for 2025? Any insight?

[@redjohn20001]

I had the battery only version of this for a days test drive and loved it but, its just too small for my needs and the range, oh dear! Now if they had put this new drive chain in the Mazda 3................

[@filipmucala4652]

yeah, i was looking at this pariculary this one nas i have 2 miatas and one 6 skyactive ...and i was thinkig about replacing the mazda 6 becasou now i really travel useally less then 60km per day ... but then i look at the prices and calmed down :-D did little bit more research ... and realised this is still not h-EV that i want ...even thought they are getting closer to that what im looking still not enought :-)

[@davidbright4539]

this or the lexus lbx which is more refined and enjoyable to drive

[@DizzerJoz]

if you really want to know you should test drive them both - only you will pick up on the little things that will annoy or bring joy to you. I personally don't like the way the LBX looks from the outside though. Lexus used to build such elegant and understated cars, now it's all transformers x electric shaver...

[@allanandrews7247]

Love this car, all except the crazy opening rear door

[@houseofcars1973]

You see it’s the doors that have a great appeal to me. But like I said, not everyone’s a fan. Interesting car though. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@yatlokmok]

No mention of excessive fuel consumption of the rotary engine, once it kicks in. No mention of oil consumption. That's what other reviews tell, however. And that is what kept me away from this car.

[@houseofcars1973]

I only report on what I experience, and during a week with the car, I didn’t experience either of those things.

[@yatlokmok]

@@houseofcars1973 It was an excellent review. Enjoyed it very much. But as a potential owner, I will use the car for more than just a week. And that is why these drawbacks (excessive fuel and oil consumption) were part of my equation.

[@toyotaprius79]

A car for people who don't understand sweet fa about cars nor plugging in. A la Toyota's" self charging" or VW's "clean diesel" PR bullsht

[@datathunderstorm]

I had a 1998 Mazda MX-3 1.6i Coupe from 2004 to 2013. The vehicle ran flawlessly during 8.5 years of ownership. That was my introduction to the Mazda vehicle design philosophy. However, the MX-3, just like the MX-30 was indeed a drivers car - it was also a niche product you only purchased if it fitted your demands and operational criteria explicitly! And that was the whole idea. I bought my Mazda MX-3 back in the day exclusively for me as it was actually a 2 + 2 seater pseudo sports coupe. Not as a family car but as something unique and original that stood out - and it did. It handled rather quite nicely and was clearly understated, even having passive rear wheel steer incorporated into the design, which Mazda kept extraordinarily quiet about - but the function did exist and it worked! Enter the Mazda MX-30 EV and R-EV series - another quirky "skunk works" (denoted by the MX designation) Mazda designed explicitly to be different to everything else on the road - and to appeal to those looking for something original albeit unusual. This has been designed primarily as a city commuter vehicle that will be plugged in to charge at home every day or two (overnight) for maximum economy. It's not meant to be an intercity cruiser, though the R-EV can occasionally do this if required once or twice a month without particularly breaking the bank in fossil fuel costs. You would primarily run this vehicle on battery power only for maximum economy costs in the city, using home charging at all times and using the vehicle for commuting 5 days a week or whereabouts. If you need a high mileage workhorse, look someplace else. This is not a Prius substitute getting 600 miles per tankful, and makes no claims to be that. It's not for a family of 5 adults for example. It's not a Range Rover Evoque either. It is more suited to a couple who might occasionally transport the odd friend with them - or perhaps their grand children. It's a Mazda MX-30 R-EV and it's a vehicle that you carefully do your research homework over, to decide whether this suits your daily operational needs or not. For me, the numbers check out perfectly.

[@davidkelly972]

Any body see the UAP (UFO) at 3:40. I own this Car. Brilliant.