2022 Mazda MX-30 EV Premium Plus

The MX-30 is Mazda’s first EV, a small crossover based on the gasoline-powered CX-30. It’s available in 2 trim levels, the base trim and the Premium Plus. The MX-30 has a number of admirable qualities: a sleek, streamlined exterior; a smooth, compliant ride; multiple levels of regenerative braking; and plenty of standard convenience features, such as a power sunroof, 7-inch digital display, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Standard safety features abound: adaptive LED headlights, rear parking sensors, and rear automatic emergency braking. The Premium Plus trim we tested adds a 360-degree surroundview camera, blind-spot assist (actively steers the car back into its lane if you switch lanes with a vehicle in your blind spot), and front cross-traffic warning. Unfortunately, the MX-30’s negatives outweigh its positives, especially in 2 critical areas. First, Mazdas are known for their responsive, engaging driving qualities, which are totally absent from the MX-30. Even worse is the MX-30’s paltry electric range, an EPAestimated 100 miles. That was acceptable in 2015, but no longer, especially for a vehicle priced in the mid-$30,000s. A few more negatives worth noting: Headroom and legroom are tight in the cramped second row, which is also hard for passengers to enter and exit. In addition, visibility to the rear and sides is restricted, and the infotainment system is nonintuitive to operate.