Mazda MX-30

The Mazda MX-30 is a five-seat electric crossover distinguished by its minimalist Kodo design, sustainable interior materials and rear-hinged Freestyle Doors. Fully imported from Japan, the final Malaysian-specification EV High was last listed at RM198,780.

It uses a single front-mounted electric motor producing 143 HP and 271 NM, paired with a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery offering up to 199 KM of claimed NEDC range. Warranty coverage originally included five years or 100,000 KM for the vehicle and eight years or 160,000 KM for the battery.

The horizontal dashboard incorporates an 8.8-inch Mazda Connect display, a seven-inch digital instrument display and a separate seven-inch touchscreen for the climate controls. A windscreen-projected head-up display places essential driving information within the driver’s forward vision. 

A floating centre console houses the gear selector, Mazda Commander controller and additional vehicle controls. Cork trim is used around the console, referencing Mazda’s origins as a cork-product manufacturer while giving the cabin a distinctive appearance. 

The seven-inch colour TFT instrument display shows speed, battery status, remaining range and driver-assistance information. It is supplemented by a full-colour windscreen-projected head-up display. 

The EV High receives fabric and leatherette upholstery. The driver’s seat offers eight-way powered adjustment, two-way lumbar support and two-position memory, while the front passenger seat is manually adjustable in six directions. 

The cabin accommodates five occupants, but the sloping roof and compact rear door openings make the second row feel less spacious than the exterior dimensions suggest. The rear-hinged Freestyle Doors improve access when both front and rear doors are opened together.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel provides controls for audio, Bluetooth, cruise control and the driver-information display. Tilt-and-telescopic adjustment is included, while steering-wheel paddles allow the driver to adjust regenerative braking and motor response. 

Storage includes a glovebox, door pockets, compartments within the floating centre console and an open tray beneath it. The Freestyle Door arrangement also makes it easier to load smaller items directly into the rear seating area.

Cup holders are positioned within the centre-console area, with additional drink storage available through the rear centre armrest and door pockets.

Two USB ports and a 12-volt power outlet are provided in the cabin. Wireless smartphone charging was not included in the final Malaysian specification. 

Cork, recycled PET-bottle fabric and partially recycled textile materials give the interior a distinctive sustainable theme. The cabin also retains Mazda’s familiar solid switchgear and driver-focused layout. 

The rear luggage compartment provides approximately 332 litres of capacity. The rear seatbacks can be folded when additional carrying space is required, although the MX-30 does not provide a front boot. 

The MX-30 measures 4,395 MM long, 1,795 MM wide and 1,555 MM tall, with a 2,655-MM wheelbase. Ground clearance is 136 MM, while kerb weight stands at approximately 1,668 KG. 

The front adopts Mazda’s Human Modern design approach, combining a smooth grille panel, rounded bonnet and sculpted bumper. Its compact grille and circular lighting graphics create a softer appearance than Mazda’s combustion-powered SUVs. 

The sloping roofline flows into a black rear pillar treatment and compact roof spoiler. The upright tailgate and rounded rear body continue the MX-30’s clean and uncluttered design theme.

LED Signature headlamps are fitted with automatic operation and automatic levelling. The EV High also receives Adaptive LED Headlights, which vary the lighting pattern according to traffic and driving conditions. 

The LED Signature rear combination lamps feature circular internal graphics that mirror the headlamp design. An LED rear fog lamp is also included. 

The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable, heated and power-folding, with integrated turn indicators. Blind Spot Monitoring provides additional warnings when another vehicle is travelling beside the MX-30. 

Ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear discs work with ABS, Brake Assist, electronic brake-force distribution and regenerative braking. 

The EV High rides on 18-inch bright-finished alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 R18 tyres. A tyre-repair kit is supplied instead of a conventional spare wheel. 

Standard active-safety equipment includes ABS, Brake Assist, electronic brake-force distribution, Dynamic Stability Control, traction control, Hill Launch Assist, Emergency Stop Signal and tyre-pressure monitoring. 

Seven airbags are fitted, comprising front, front-side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags. ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, top tethers and seatbelt reminders are also provided. 

The MX-30 does not provide conventional Eco, Normal or Sport drive modes. Instead, the steering-wheel paddles adjust the strength of regenerative braking and the electric motor’s response characteristics.

The 8.8-inch Mazda Connect display supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and voice recognition. Most functions are operated through the rotary Mazda Commander controller rather than relying entirely on touchscreen input.

The i-ACTIVSENSE package includes Smart Brake Support at the front and rear, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go, Lane-Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Driver Attention Alert with driver monitoring.

Blind Spot Monitoring, Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Cruising and Traffic Support and a 360-degree camera are also included on the EV High. 

A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system is standard on the EV High. It provides a substantial upgrade over the eight-speaker system originally specified for the lower EV Mid variant. 

A single front-mounted e-SKYACTIV electric motor produces 107 KW or 143 HP and 271 NM. The powertrain was developed to provide smooth and predictable acceleration rather than high-performance output.

Power is delivered through a single-speed electric reduction transmission. There are no conventional gear changes, although the regenerative-braking paddles provide additional control during deceleration.

The Mazda MX-30 uses a front-wheel-drive configuration. Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus varies motor torque to improve weight transfer, steering response and vehicle stability.

The MX-30 accelerates from 0 to 100 KM/H in 9.7 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 140 KM/H. 

The 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery provides up to 199 KM under the NEDC testing cycle. This comparatively short range positions the MX-30 primarily as an urban or secondary vehicle rather than a regular long-distance EV. 

Charging supports up to 6.6 KW AC and 40 KW DC. A full charge using a 6.6-KW wallbox takes approximately five hours, while a 0% to 80% DC charge requires around 36 minutes. Mazda’s later specification also quotes approximately 25 minutes from 20% to 80%.

Convenience equipment includes advanced keyless entry, push-button start, automatic lights, rain-sensing wipers, an electronic parking brake with Auto Hold, a powered sunroof and a 360-degree camera. 

Dedicated rear air-conditioning vents are not listed for the Malaysian EV High. The single-zone automatic climate-control system distributes air mainly through the dashboard vents. 

MacPherson-strut front suspension and a torsion-beam rear setup are combined with e-GVC Plus. The relatively small battery helps control weight, while the 18-inch tyres retain enough sidewall for comfortable urban driving. 

The electric powertrain removes conventional engine noise and vibration from the cabin. Mazda also engineered the accelerator and regenerative braking to provide a gradual and natural driving experience rather than aggressive one-pedal deceleration.

The Mazda MX-30 remains distinctive through its Freestyle Doors, sustainable cabin materials, refined design and driver-focused road manners. Its Bose sound system, comprehensive i-ACTIVSENSE package and premium interior also give it qualities that are not immediately reflected by its modest performance figures.

However, its 199-KM NEDC range, 40-KW charging limit, tight rear access and original RM198,780 price made it difficult to justify against newer EVs. With the model no longer sold new in Malaysia, it is now more relevant as an unusual used-EV choice for buyers with short daily journeys and reliable access to home charging.