Driven: Funky Mazda MX-30 touches down

THE first versions of Mazda’s all-new MX-30 small SUV have touched down on Australian shores, with the M Hybrid range to enter showrooms from April 1, priced from $33,990 plus on-road costs for the G20e Evolve.

 

The three-variant range climbs in price to $36,490 plus on-roads for the mid-spec Touring, and tops out at $40,990 for the flagship Astina variant.

 

All-electric versions will join the range in the middle of the year, while the line-up is expected to be bolstered next year with the addition of the EV powertrain supplemented by a rotary range-extender.

 

Measuring 4395mm long, 1795mm wide and 1545mm tall, the MX-30 joins the established CX-3 and CX-30 in Mazda’s compact SUV portfolio, however with an expected sales tally of around 200 units per month (or 2400 per year) Mazda is not expecting the same sales volume as the aforementioned models, with the MX-30 to represent a more niche offering in the range.

 

Speaking to GoAuto, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi said the MX-30 would appeal to a range of different buyers for varied reasons.

 

“We look at an MX-30 a little bit like what MX-5 was for us or MX-6 was or the RX-8 was – it offers something unique, funky if you may call it that, and the buyers it will attract are those buyers who will say ‘I want something that’s a little bit different’,” he said.

 

“Now whether it’s design-different, technology-different, materials-different, they can pick whichever one talks to them. That’s why we think about 200 (sales per month) in the first year.”

 

He added that despite the sales success of hybrid vehicles in recent times, Mazda would not necessarily focus on the hybrid element of the MX-30, but would rather show off the multiple elements the car has to offer.

 

Mazda is targeting young, urban buyers with the MX-30, and expects the entry-level Evolve to prove the most popular variant with around 45 per cent of sales, followed by the Touring (35 per cent) and Astina (20 per cent).

 

All M Hybrid versions of the MX-30 are underpinned by the same powertrain – a 2.0-litre SkyActivG aspirated petrol engine supplemented by a 24-volt integrated starter-generator, producing 114kW/200Nm.

 

All versions drive the front wheels only via a six-speed automatic transmission, with official combined fuel consumption pegged at 6.4 litres per 100km. 

 

The all-electric version, due to arrive mid-year, features a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack and single electric motor good for 107kW/271Nm and a claimed 224km of driving range.

 

Design-wise, the MX-30 is unique among Mazda’s portfolio with the return of the ‘Freestyle’ rear doors last seen on the RX-8 sportscar, while the Astina’s exterior can also be optioned with a three-tone colour scheme.

 

Riding on the same new-gen platform as the Mazda3 and CX-30, the MX-30 is underpinned by Macpherson-strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension, with luggage capacity rated at 311 litres.

 

Standard equipment on the entry-level Evolve begins with silver 18-inch alloy wheels, auto-folding exterior mirrors, LED headlights, rear spoiler, rain-sensing wipers and advanced keyless push-button start. 

 

Inside, it scores an 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and satellite navigation, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, eight-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control with a new touchscreen system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, electric park brake, leather-wrapped gear lever and steering wheel, paddle shifters, and black/grey cloth upholstery.

 

The MX-30 has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, thanks to its extensive standard safety kit which includes 10 airbags, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist with blind spot assist, driver attention alert, forward obstruction warning, high beam control, hill launch assist, lane departure warning, radar cruise control with stop and go, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitor and a reversing camera.

 

Stepping up to the Touring grade adds advanced keyless entry, auto-dimming driver-side exterior mirror, two-position memory function for the side windows, white Maztex/grey cloth seat upholstery, 10-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment and two-position memory, and illuminated front vanity mirrors.

 

Both the Evolve and Touring can be optioned with the $1500 Vision Technology package which includes a surround-view monitor, cruising and traffic support, driver monitoring, front cross-traffic alert and front parking sensors, which Mazda assumes will be picked up on around 15 per cent of vehicles.

 

The range-topping Astina builds on the spec of the Touring (with the Vision Technology pack as standard) and includes 18-inch bright alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, glass sunroof with power tilt and slide, heated front seats and steering wheel, brown Maztex/black cloth upholstery and adaptive LED headlights.

 

The Astina can also be had with the aforementioned three-tone paint scheme, available in Ceramic metallic with black roof and grey pillars ($995), Soul Red crystal metallic with black roof and grey pillars ($1490) or Polymetal Grey metallic with black roof and silver pillars ($1490).

 

Polymetal Grey metallic and Machine Grey metallic are available across the range for $495.

 

Through the first two months of the year, Mazda has bounced back strongly from a COVID-affected 2020, with 16,830 total vehicles sold, representing a 20.9 per cent improvement over the same period last year. 

 

2021 Mazda MX-30 pricing*

G20e Evolve (a)	$33,990
G20e Touring (a)	$36,490
G20e Astina (a)	$40,990

*Excludes on-road costs