Mazda MX-30 Rotary-EV

Ever since the discontinuation of the RX-8 in 2012, Mazda became a shadow of its former self without the one engine that made it great, the rotary engine. Over a decade later, the rotary engine roars back but not in the way you're expecting.

2024 Mazda MX-30 Rotary-EV

Rotary power is back in the Reiwa era and this time, it's in the form of the MX-30 compact crossover, the game-changer in the Mazda lineup because of its questionable powertrains including the Mazda-first electric powertrain. Yours for 4,235,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, which is slightly cheaper to own than the fully-electric model.

At first glance, it looks and feels just like your typical MX-30, meaning it still has the same RX-8-derived freestyle doors, which is cool, the same minimalist dashboard, the same cork trims, the same struggling access through the rear seats, and the same boot space as usual. However, this is the Rotary-EV model and the only way to distinguish it is by looking at the rotary emblem embedded on the side as well as the e-SKYACTIV R-EV badge at the back. The real has come!

Let's get to know more about the e-SKYACTIV R-EV powertrain, the one that generated a blaze since its world premiere. It's basically a plug-in hybrid powertrain, a first for Mazda, where the newly developed 830cc single-rotor 8C-PH engine is bolted to a 125kW MV electric motor and a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery. Stealing the idea from Nissan's e-POWER, the rotary engine doesn't power the wheels directly but acts as a generator to charge the batteries, making the MX-30 R-EV behave just like its fully-electric equivalent but with more range compared to its mild-hybrid equivalent.

Thanks to the e-SKYACTIV R-EV powertrain, the fuel economy is 15.4km/L based on WLTC Mode standards and while running on electric power alone, it's good for 107km.

Like the EV Model, the MX-30 Rotary-EV is front-wheel-drive only and it comes with rack and pinion steering, front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beam, and front ventilated disc brakes, meaning it behaves just like it for a commoner's car of course but thanks to its R-EV powertrain, it feels like smooth sailing. As for safety, you can expect an advanced i-Activsense with Smart Brake Support with Turn-Across Traffic in addition to a 360-degree camera, Driver Monitoring, and front cross-traffic alert, among many others.

Mazda has a record of putting the signature rotary engine on basic models including the infamous Parkway Rotary 26 bus from the mid-1970s. Consider the MX-30 Rotary-EV added to the list. Although it's not as exciting as the world hoped for, it's decent enough to welcome the rotary engine back in the Reiwa era. Consider it a new beginning for the engine that made Mazda great.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Mazda MX-30 EV Model

Months after Mazda introduced us to the mild-hybrid MX-30 crossover, it's about time that the Japanese carmaker added the electric version of the compact crossover that marked Mazda's centennial anniversary. It's the MX-30 that some motorists wanted it to be right from the beginning or so they thought but anyway, let's step into the electric version of the MX-30.

2021 Mazda MX-30 EV Model

When the MX-30 first appeared at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, in concept form, it was the Mazda that made a lot of headlines because of was the first Mazda to come with the electric drivetrain. However, in the fall of 2020, they gave us the mild hybrid version of the MX-30, which is not bad to drive. With the arrival of the MX-30 EV Model, Mazda's got a lot of work to do by proving to the world that they're ready to compete with the other electric crossovers in its size, mainly the Peugeot e-2008 and the Vauxhall Mokka-e of course.

At first glance, it's still an MX-30. You still have the same RX-8-derived freestyle doors, which is cool, the same minimalist dashboard, the same cork trims, the same struggling access through the rear seats, and the same boot space as usual, but because this is the EV Model, you can expect the driving experience will be a lot different compared to the mild hybrid one.

With twice the pricing as the normal MX-30 (at the rate of 4.51 million yen), you might say that it's basically a slightly expensive compact crossover EV but let's keep digging because it's time to talk about the e-SKYACTIV electric powertrain that has the whole world talking about.

Bolted to a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery, the MX-30 EV Model's e-SKYACTIV electric drivetrain generates about 107kW of power and 270Nm of torque. It has a driving range of about 256km by WLTP standards, which is not bad for an electric car.

Apart from that, the EV model differentiates itself from the normal MX-30 such as a bespoke Motor Pedal that responds rather well to its inputs, e-GVC Plus which gives it unheard dynamics on an electric car like this, and others.

It may be electric but it's still a Mazda and by utilizing all the dynamics know-how learned from every other model, this front-wheel-drive electric crossover still behaves like every Mazda should, no matter how good or bad will be. Good stuff, though, but we're not yet in the clear because, like the normal model, it features a massive array of i-Activsense safety features that will scare a speedo boy straight.

The MX-30 EV Model may have been the MX-30 that the public's waiting for since its 2019 Tokyo Motor Show premiere but for some, it deserves more because word from mouth is that there will be a range extender model with a rotary engine on it it's too early to tell about that because with the EV Model arrived on Japanese roads for twice the price of a normal mild-hybrid one, expect conversations about this one.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Mazda MX-30

Back in last year's Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda unveiled their newest crossover to the world called the MX-30 and it's the kind of compact crossover that got the world excited about because when they first showcased it, it will be an electric-only crossover with the rotary engine range extender in the works. Fast forward to 2020, the year when Mazda celebrated its centennial anniversary, the automotive equivalent of Nintendo pulled a plot twist no one saw it coming; they're offering a petrol-powered MX-30 with MHEV tech on it. Is Mazda breaking its promise with the mild-hybrid MX-30 crossover?

2021 Mazda MX-30

2021 Mazda MX-30

Starting at 2,420,000 Japanese Yen (around 24,200 US Dollars), the MX-30 is one of the most reasonably priced crossovers on sale and it was made to take on Toyota's C-HR, Honda's Vezel, and Nissan's Kicks and judging by early perceptions, I believe this new compact crossover kinda cuts through the line in a naughty schoolboy kind of way.

Observing on the styling first, the MX-30 looks almost the same as the concept car from last year's Tokyo Motor Show, which is good news to us, and because it is a coupe-crossover, it brought back the freestyle doors from the RX-8 sportscar. Again, good news.

2021 Mazda MX-30 interior

2021 Mazda MX-30 interior

What about the interior? On the driver's side, the MX-30 is all kinds of minimalism in addition to the first-ever touch-screen air-conditioning control panel located below the air vents but don't worry, they still have buttons and a knob on it to make it worth your while.

There is a well-known fact that in the name of sustainability, the center console tray on the MX-30 is made out of heritage cork while the door trim features a fibrous material that breathes, whatever that is.

On the passenger side, getting to the back of the car is just right, meaning it almost fits like a glove and you don't have to complain about every single thing while riding shotgun, although the legroom is the least of its problems. On the boot space, the MX-30 can fit the entire grocery shopping list with the rear seats present but with them folded, you can fill more if you're in the business of contactless delivery for the masses so this is an all-work, all-play, compact crossover that works just the way you want to.

2021 Mazda MX-30

Time to talk more about its performance and why it matters to you. The MX-30's 156PS SKYACTIV-G 2.0L petrol engine is connected to a tiny 5.1kw electric motor and Li-ion battery and when mated to its SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT, fuel economy is a combined 15.6km/L based on WLTP standards. 

Yes, it may be a mild hybrid that uses the same bits and bobs from the SKYACTIV-X engines from the Mazda 3 and CX-30 but the MX-30's is a whole different approach and because it runs on proper bits and bobs, it doesn't behave like a real hybrid. In fact, it behaves like a real car, and with the G-VECTORING CONTROL and the available 4WD system, not to mention a wide range of safety tech, you can spend the whole day enjoying the MX-30 without worry. Perhaps Mazda really is on the roll with this mild-hybrid version of the MX-30.

Love it or hate it, the MX-30 is not such a bad birthday present for Mazda and because it behaves like a Mazda, even with the mild-hybrid setup on it, the MX-30 is the reasonably priced crossover you want to start with.

So, if everyone in Japan is enjoying the mild-hybrid MX-30, is there a chance for the full electric MX-30 to come to Japan? Mazda says the full-electric version like the one you saw in Tokyo Motor Show may pop up sometime next year or so.

In the meantime, let's enjoy the mild-hybrid MX-30 for the time being because despite the cramped rear space, the styling, the minimalist interior, and the fact that it's offered only in a mild-hybrid setup, the MX-30 behaves like every Mazda should.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation