LIFE BEGINS AT 30(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 33

Mazda's first all-electric production vehicle, the MX-30, is predictably a Crossover. It's been conceived and created with the brand's well-renowned focus on distinctive styling, innovative technology, driver focused dynamics and class-leading interior quality.

Background word count: 110

Think Mazda and you think of engine technology - maybe the brand's famous rotary units or, more recently, its famed SKYACTIV-X powerplant tech. But can the company bring anything different to a full-electric powertrain? Well it's time to see because here, we're looking at its introductory EV, the MX-30, with its Zero Emissions SKACTIV-e powerplant. The MX-30 is, says Mazda, the EV for people "who don't want to sacrifice driving pleasure" when choosing an electric car. Staying true to the 'Jinbai Ittai - car and driver as one' ethos - found across Mazda's combustion engine range, it's been engineered to drive more dynamically than any other car in its segment.

Driving Experience word count: 310

Mazda has improved the EV drivetrain sound of the MX-30 in recent times, but everything else is as before. The brand has chosen to give this car a relatively small 35.5kWh battery (the same size as the one in the tiny Honda e), so you shouldn't be expecting the kind of driving range you'd get in established EV compact models like the Renault ZOE. It's just 124 miles. Still, for the urban-based folk Mazda thinks will be most attracted by this model, that may not be too much of an issue. You'll be able to eke it out easily though because instead of all the power (140hp) arriving all-at-once (as it does in most rival EVs at this price point), Mazda has engineered the torque delivery to be more linear, which makes the car easier to adjust to for those from a combustion background. If the range really is a problem but you like the MX-30, your dealer will point you to the clever e-Skyactiv R-EV range extender version, which uses a little 830cc rotary engine that adds 320 miles of extra range after the available 53 mile EV mileage figure is exhausted. Our focus here though, is on the MX-30 EV. The Japanese maker provides steering wheel paddles to enable driver adjustment of the brake regeneration rate - everything from very light retardation when you release the throttle to so much retardation that the car virtually stops on its own every time you come off the accelerator. The car also offers an artificial sound to indicate either acceleration or deceleration. Handling should be taut, thanks to a very rigid body structure, made possible by a bracing ring placed around the low-placed Panasonic battery pack. And to Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus), which enhances chassis performance by using motor torque to optimise the front-rear load shift for improved stability.