MX-30 unplugged: Small EV gets ICE
We all know the MX-30 is Mazda’s first mainstream mass-production EV – a bespoke small SUV powered exclusively by an electric powertrain. Except, that is, when it is the MX-30 M Hybrid, that is actually powered by a mild-hybrid ICE powertrain that isn’t capable of all-electric running. Confused?
OUTSIDE
The confusion is understandable, as from the outside, the M Hybrid looks pretty much identical to the all-electric version, with only some very subtle badging to clue you in on its ICE secret – there aren’t even any telltale exhausts to give the game away.
That means it the same slightly odd, but ultimately handsome blend of small SUV, coupe and, RX-8, with its unusual ‘‘freestyle’’ doors and chunky black plastic wheel arches forming an interesting mix of styles.
INSIDE
The same goes for the interior, which gets the same level of deeply impressive high quality materials. High quality and sustainable, that is, with the MX-30 packing things like seats upholstered with an incredibly convincing artificial leather, fabrics made from recycled materials and soft-touch corkbased surfaces.
It is all very lovely and gives the small Mazda a far higher quality feel than its pricing would suggest, which is where a lot of the confusion actually starts – the allelectric MX-30 packs the same levels of quality and equipment, but at a far higher price point ($74,990 before the Clean Car rebate), making the $46,790 M Hybrid a significantly cheaper way to get all that quality.
UNDER THE BONNET
This is, of course, where the biggest differences lie – by that, I mean a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with small integrated starter generator, or in other words, the very mildest of mild hybrids. Being a mild hybrid means that the M Hybrid Mazda won’t move solely under electric power, rather the ISG and small battery simply provide a small boost for the ICE engine.
‘‘But the MX-30 is Mazda’s EV!’’ I hear you cry ‘‘Why would they put such an evil ICE-y thing in it?’’
And the answer I have for that is ‘‘I dunno. Makes as little sense to me as it does to you.’’
However, I strongly suspect the answer is simply ‘‘because they could’’ – with the MX-30 being based on the same underpinnings
as the CX-30, Mazda3, et al, it is a pretty simple thing to release a non-EV version of what was Mazda’s dedicated EV. But whether or not it is a good look depends on how you approach it.
You see, as mentioned before, the M Hybrid version offers all the quality of the EV, as well as a similarly good driving experience, but with a far smaller price tag attached, so for customers who want a really good small SUV with all of those qualities, but don’t necessarily want an EV, then the hybrid is a genius move.
If, however, you take the approach that putting out an ICE version of an EV is a retrograde step that devalues the appeal of the visually identical electric version, then it won’t seem quite so smart.
ON THE ROAD
However you feel about it, the underlying truth of the MX-30 in either form is that it is a thoroughly excellent car to drive. While the M Hybrid may lack the thickly torquey feel of an EV down low, the basic essentials of driving is pretty close in either form. This means the M Hybrid is every bit as agile and responsive as the EV, with the added advantage of shedding 178kg of battery weight.
VERDICT
As mentioned earlier, your attitude towards the MX-30 M Hybrid will depend drastically on whether you consider it a cheaper way to access the EV’s blend of unique styling, impressive quality and delightful dynamics, or a dilution of the all-electric MX-30’s green-creds and, therefore, an offence to the planet.
I’m somewhere in the middle – while I consider a mild hybrid version of an EV a weird and slightly pointless concept, the fact that it is great to drive, packs that fantastic interior and is sharply priced means I can’t dislike it for being weird and slightly pointless. But let’s face it – I can’t dislike anything for being weird and slightly pointless.