Mazda MX-30
‘I’m not oblivious to the practicality issues raised by the novel rear doors’
WHEN ALMOST EVERYONE does a particular thing the same way, it’s generally because it’s the best way.and yet I still nd myself falling for things that are a bit different, even knowing they’ll probably make my life more dif cult.
In the case of my Mazda MX-30, it’s the quirky, rear-hinged back doors that have me questioning my own sense of logic.you see, I really like them.
I think they’re a wonderfully distinctive feature that helps distinguish the MX-30 from almost everything else on sale. I get a kick out of them every time I squeeze their tactile mechanical latches to release them.and as a big fan of the old Mazda RX-8 sports car, I love the fact that they so clearly take inspiration from the similar doors on that model.
I’m not oblivious to the glaring practicality issues that they bring, though. For safety reasons, they can be opened only if the front doors are already open. This means that if you’re parked alongside another car and space is tight, you can nd yourself trapped between the front and rear doors.
Then there’s the fact that the front seatbelts are tethered to the back doors.this means front seat occupants have to unbuckle in order to let others in or out of the rear seats, or so that you can grab something from behind them.
I spend the majority of my time with no more than one passenger, probably explaining why none of this has put me off, but anyone hoping to use the MX-30 as they would any other comparable small SUV might well nd its back doors frustrating.
It’s only when you compare it with threedoor cars that the extra doors bring any practical advantages, because they mean the front doors don’t have to be as long, so it’s easier to get out of the front in tight spaces. However, when trying to get to the rear, you’re still left with a narrow gap to clamber through.