2023 Mazda MX-30
About the Mazda MX-30
The quirky Mazda MX-30 crossover is unchanged for 2023, apart from a minor price rise.
All mild-hybrid versions of the MX-30 received a $200 price increase in April 2022, along with many other Mazda models.
Pricing for the all-electric E35 Astina remains unchanged.
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 range now starts at $34,190 before on-road costs for the G20e Evolve, and extends to $65,490 before on-road costs for the E35 Astina.
A Mazda Australia spokesperson said this price increase is due to supply chain constraints, as well as production costs.
Video Review
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Mazda MX-30 hybrid 2021 review
The all-new Mazda MX-30 shares the same platform as the Mazda CX-30 SUV, but it brings with it a higher tech drivetrain and a greater focus on renewable materials.
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Mazda MX-30 Range Guide
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 G20e Evolve comes standard with the following features:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Rain-sensing window wipers
- Auto-folding side mirrors
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8.8-inch infotainment screen
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Head-up display
- Dual-zone climate control with touchscreen controls
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Electric park brake with auto-hold
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Paddle shifters
- Leather-wrapped shifter
- Push-button start
- Black cloth upholstery
The G20e Touring adds the following:
- Keyless entry
- Two-position memory side mirrors
- Auto-dimming driver side mirror
- Pure white Maztex synthetic leather and grey cloth upholstery
- Power driver’s seat
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
Astina models add:
- Bright-finish 18-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Sunroof
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Front parking sensors
- 12-speaker Bose sound system
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Vintage brown Maztex synthetic leather and black cloth upholstery
Interior
If you’ve sat in a high-spec MX-30 M Hybrid, it’s more of the same here.
There’s the interesting brown Maztex leatherette and cloth upholstery, real cork inserts along the centre console, floating said centre console and a touchscreen climate control panel.
Adding to the visual drama is access into the cabin – through RX-8-style ‘Freestyle Doors’. We don’t use the other name anymore.
The MX-30’s interior, like the exterior, combines typical Mazda bits from other models in the range with some quirkier design and trim elements befitting of the ‘Mazda Experimental’ (or MX) nameplate.
Beyond the saddle brown leatherette and sustainable cork trimmings, there’s also grey fabric on the doors made from recycled PET bottles, and unique takes on the partially-digital instrument cluster and infotainment displays compared to the related CX-30 and Mazda 3.
Naturally, being the only EV in Mazda’s current range, there’s a specific instrument cluster featuring a power meter and EV content. As is the case with all Mazda products running versions of this cluster, it’s clean and easy to navigate – I’m a big fan of the simplistic, minimalist graphics and design.
There’s also a funky little start-up animation that greets you every time you start the car up, as well as an animated graphic when it’s plugged in and charging. It’s the little things.
Exterior
With Freestyle Doors and an eco-friendly interior that nods to Mazda’s past, the MX-30 in M Hybrid form is a quirky rival to the Volkswagen T-Roc and Toyota C-HR, and in Electric form is a rival to the MG ZS EV and Nissan Leaf.
A rotary range-extender version of the MX-30 has been confirmed for Australia and could arrive as soon as late 2022.
Mazda MX-30 Colours
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is available in the following exterior paint colours, depending on the variant:
- Arctic White
- Polymetal Grey metallic (+$595)
- Ceramic metallic
- Machine Grey metallic (+$595)
- Jet Black mica
- Ceramic three-tone metallic (+$995)
- Polymetal Grey three-tone metallic (+$1590)
- Soul Red Crystal three-tone metallic (+$1590)
Cost of Ownership
The MX-30 is backed by Mazda Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the battery covered for eight years or 160,000km.
Scheduled maintenance for the MX-30 Electric is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. The first five visits are quoted as an alternation of $153 and $230, amounting to $919 over the initial five years or 60,000 kilometres of ownership.
Additional items on top of the base service pricing include brake fluid ($88) every two years or 30,000km as well as the cabin air filter replacement ($105) required at the same intervals.
How it Drives
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a 24V mild-hybrid system.
It produces 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 Electric is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 107kW and 271Nm. It’s mated with a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
All MX-30 models are front-wheel drive.
Mazda MX-30 Safety Rating
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2020.
It scored 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 68 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 74 per cent for safety assist.
All 2022 Mazda MX-30 models have the following safety features:
- 10 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and junction assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Rear parking sensors
- Traffic sign recognition
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Opting for the Astina or the $1500 Vision Technology package on other models brings:
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Front parking sensors
- Cruising and Traffic Support
- Driver attention monitoring
- Surround-view camera
Mazda MX-30 Warranty
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The MX-30 Electric also has an eight-year battery warranty.
For M Hybrid models, the first five years of servicing costs a combined $1732, and maintenance is required every 12 months or 10,000km.
For the electric E35 Astina, servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km and the first five years cost a combined $919.
Mazda MX-30 Boot Space
Boot space is 311L according to VDA standards with the rear seats upright.
Should you buy the Mazda MX-30
The MX-30 Electric is like today’s BMW i3 in that it’s a bit of an oddball with some really interesting bits and a fun drive, coupled with a lofty price tag.
While the BMW could be pardoned somewhat as a trailblazer for the time – and packed construction and materials usually reserved for supercars – the MX-30 is playing in a different age, and is too compromised and too expensive compared to alternatives from other makes.
For the $20,000 over the G20e Astina which matches everything bar the electric drivetrain, you get smoother and quieter driving performance but that’s about it.
You also have less driving range, more weight, and of course you’re competing in a much more premium end of the market.
The real-world range is not good enough for the money. Even if the justification for such a small battery makes sense – less materials intensive, quick charging, and lighter kerb weight – consumers with range anxiety likely won’t give the MX-30 Electric a second look once they see the range.
The core strengths remain, however. The cabin is nicely appointed and has thoughtful, sustainable touches that make the MX-30 a lot more stimulating than its CX-30 sibling, the on-road experience is pleasant and refined, and of course that quirky SUV-coupe design is another point of difference.
With that said, the tight back seat and boot, impractical door design, low-output electric motor and short-range battery are big knocks that are pretty hard to get past at over $70,000 on the road given the ever-increasing amount of competition at this end of the market.
Here’s to hoping the upcoming range-extender version, complete with a rotary petrol engine as a generator, can address some of the shortcomings without sending the price into proper premium brand territory.