Mazda reveals pricing for MX-30 EV

BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 5th May 2021

MAZDA Australia has revealed the pricing and specification details of its all-electric MX-30 compact SUV, with the zero-emission crossover set to arrive in August in a single, highly-specified E35 Astina grade priced from $65,490 plus on-road costs.

The EV is priced significantly upstream of the mild-hybrid versions that arrived last month, which ranges in price from $33,990 to $40,990 plus costs.

Its pricing pits it against the likes of the Hyundai Kona EV Highlander ($65,290) and Nissan Leaf e+ ($60,490), while the MG ZS EV remains the cheapest EV on sale in Australia at $43,990.

Available to pre-order from May 5, the MX-30 E35 Astina is powered by Mazda’s e-Skyactiv system that pairs a water-cooled AC synchronous motor, inverter and DC-DC converter (integrated into the same unit) with a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Peak power outputs for the electric powertrain are pegged at 107kW/271Nm, with drive sent to the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

Driving range is pegged at 200km, with Mazda saying it chose the battery size with its full-lifecycle CO2 emissions in mind, from resource extraction through to battery use and eventual disposal.

Nevertheless, the MX-30 E35 falls well behind on power and range compared to its rivals, with the Leaf e+ producing 160kW/340Nm with a range of 385km from its 62kWh battery, while the Kona EV develops 150kW/395Nm with a potent 484km of range extracted from its 64kWh battery.

Type 2 AC and Combo 2 DC charging connections are included, with an AC wallbox or 6.6kWh public charger able to charge the battery from 20-80 per cent in around three hours.

Employing a 50kWh DC charger cuts that time to 36 minutes. A standard household socket will take nine hours to charge from 20-80 per cent.

Mazda has taken its G-Vectoring torque control system and applied it to the MX-30 EV – called e-GVC Plus – that varies torque delivery to the wheels in the name of optimised handling and traction.

The system moderates steering and throttle inputs to provide smooth handling and a stable drive character.

Five stages of regenerative braking will be offered, while the throttle is equipped with a new feature that according to Mazda can realise the desired vehicle speed based on the driver’s intended acceleration or deceleration.

Called a ‘motor pedal’, it detects when the pedal is depressed gradually or firmly and applies torque as needed.

Synthetic engine noise is piped into the cabin to provide natural-sounding feedback for the driver.

As a single, top-spec variant, Mazda has equipped the MX-30 E35 Astina generously, with standard spec extending to 18-inch alloys, auto-folding powered exterior mirrors with auto-dimming function, glass sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, rear spoiler and advanced keyless entry.

Moving inside, the E35 Astina comes with a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio and a 12-speaker Bose audio system; single-zone climate control, heated front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, electric park brake, brown Maztex/cloth seats with 10-way adjustment for the driver, leather-wrapped steering wheel (heated) and gear lever and a Type 2 portable charger.

A comprehensive suite of active safety features is also included, with autonomous emergency braking front and rear with front pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, emergency lane keeping assist with blind spot assist, forward obstruction warning, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition, surround-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors and 10 airbags.

Three-tone exterior colour schemes are optionally available, with a colour palette consisting of six hues. A range of accessories will also be on offer.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first – with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty plus eight years of assurance for the battery.

Mazda has sold 37,667 combined vehicles to the end of April, marking a strong 58.5 per cent improvement over the same period in 2020.

2021 Mazda MX-30 pricing*