Used Mazda MX-30 2021-present review

It's hard to pigeonhole the Mazda MX-30. Yes, it technically belongs to the electric SUV class, but unlike its peers, the MX-30 has rear-hinged back doors (as a throwback to the old Mazda RX-8 sports car) and a rather small electric range similar to the Honda E electric city car.

There's some method to this madness, mind you. Those doors, along with its sloping roofline, give it a sporty, coupé SUV look. The range is born of the MX-30's 35.5kWh battery and Mazda argues the reason it's that small – compared with most electric SUVs – is because big lithium-ion batteries create a lot of CO2 during production.

The corollary of all this is a range of only 124 miles, which some might see as a little lacklustre (to put it lightly). What's more, our Real Range testing yielded a more realistic figure of 115 miles.

For context, the rival Hyundai Kona Electric is available with an official range of 300 miles. Even the non-SUV Renault Zoe manages more than 200 miles on a single charge.

In 2022 a version of the MX-30 with a petrol-powered range extender was released – it officially allows for 373 miles of total range. You'll have to wait a bit for these to hit the used market, mind you.

So, disregarding the range extender for the time being, how's the solely electric version like on the road? Well, its battery powers a 143bhp electric motor that's able to deliver 0-62mph in 9.7sec – pretty tame for an electric car.

Fortunately, in almost every other respect, the MX-30 drives really well. As for the ride, it's even better than the VW ID 3’s. We found it quite comforting over deep callouses and it doesn’t buck about on undulating roads, which the bouncy DS 3 Crossback E-Tense does.

The MX-30's settled ride also helps its cornering stability. Even on bumpy roads, you can trust that it’s not going to get knocked off its line mid-bend, and the nicely judged steering is light yet accurate.

If you take it on a motorway, the range might create some anxiety, but the noise levels won’t. It’s quiet, with decently subdued suspension, wind and tyre noise. There’s just the reasonably pleasant murmur of its fake engine note when you put your foot down.

The driving position in the MX-30 is marvellous. There’s plenty of steering-wheel adjustment and you get electrically adjustable seats with adjustable lumbar support with all trims except entry-level Prime-Line.

The dashboard has quite a futuristic look, with three digital screens and a head-up display. The screens include digital instruments and a 7.0in climate control touchscreen, mounted just below the infotainment touchscreen. The MX-30 is kitted out with built-in sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay plus an eight-speaker stereo. The top GT Sport Tech and Makoto trim have a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system.

The MX-30 was initially sold in three trim levels: entry-level SE-L Lux, Sport Lux and GT Sport Tech – there was also a First Edition, with only 500 examples ever made. All models received LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, sat-nav, a head-up display and a reversing camera.

Sport Lux added heated, electric front seats and keyless entry, while top-spec GT Sport Tech got a sunroof, a Bose sound system and a heated steering wheel, too. In 2022, the MX-30's trims were renamed and currently are Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Makoto.

If you’re tall and happen to find yourself in the front of a MX-30, we think you’ll be quite happy. There’s plenty of room, whether you’re long in the leg, long in the body – or both. Plus, there’s the width: you get enough to put distance between you and your passenger.

That’s all good, but then we move on to the rear seats, which are, well, not good. For a start, you have to get in, and that isn’t as easy as you might think. The small rear-hinged back doors that can only be opened when the front doors are open put a big cross in the usability box. If you’re tall, you’ll need to contort yourself through a narrow opening and on to the seat, which you’ll barely fit in. There’s little head room and even less leg room – or no leg room if the front seats are slid fully back.

The MX-30’s boot is quite small, especially next to other electric SUVs. It’s less accommodating than that of many small cars, and there are no clever touches such as a height-adjustable boot floor or space under the floor for the charging cables.

If you're interested in finding a used Mazda MX-30 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can pick up a 2021 Mazda MX-30 for around £15,000 – not bad for a car that currently goes for upwards of £31,250 when brand new. Within £2000 of that, there's a mix of trims available – SE-L Lux, Sport Lux and even GT Sport Tech – and almost every example is in excellent condition.

A 2022 or 2023 Prime-Line or Exclusive Line should set you back around £19,000 at the moment, with Makotos going for around £21,000.

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Charging

One advantage of the MX-30’s small battery is it won’t take too long to charge. Getting it from 20-80% requires a stop of about half an hour using a 50kW service station charger (that’s its maximum charging rate – some cars can charge at 100kW or more). A home wall box needs six hours to get it from empty to full.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups range from a reasonable 19 to 20 (depending on your chosen specification). Mazda sells a £399 three-year service plan for the MX-30.

Go for GT Sport Tech. Despite being the top of the range trim, it sits alongside the most affordable used examples right now, so why settle for anything less?

Our favourite Mazda MX-30: GT Sport Tech

As we previously mentioned, the Hyundai Kona Electric can travel a lot further on a single charge than the MX-30 – up to 300 miles, in case you've forgotten. Used prices are similar, if not slightly higher, and it's more practical, too. Its interior is nowhere near as plush as the MX-30's, though.

The Peugeot e-2008 is a similar story, being similarly priced and more practical. It can officially go 206 miles on a single charge – it's now become available with a larger battery and more range, we should add, although this version yet to hit the used market (as of writing).

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If you're interested in finding a used Mazda MX-30 or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.