The unique Mazda MX-30 battery electric compact SUV is a stylish, versatile and driver-focused EV that features an AC synchronous electric motor and a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of 124 miles⁺. Since its launch in March 2021, more than 2,180 Mazda MX-30s have been sold in the UK and Mazda’s first battery electric production car was voted Favourite Electric Car 2021 by the readers of DrivingElectric.com.

Now the popular EV has been updated for the 2022 model year. Available to order now, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 features enhanced charging performance and power supply functionality, plus improvements to the EV drivetrain sound. Technical updates to the Mazda MX-30 have improved DC charging performance by increasing the maximum power the vehicle can accept from 40kWw to 50kW, which has reduced the rapid charging time by ten minutes to just 26 minutes^.

With a focus on engagement from behind the wheel, the MX-30’s EV sound helps the driver subconsciously recognise the amount of torque being generated by the power unit. For the 2022 update, the frequency has been further optimised to sound more aligned with other sounds heard when the car is running, such as wind or road noise – so the driver can regognise the amount of power in a natural manner without the sound being unusual.

The 2022 Mazda MX-30 also benefits from new interior and exterior colour schemes to further improve its distinctive styling and high-quality cabin. Featuring three generously equipped model grades – Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Makoto, standard equipment on all UK MX-30s includes LED headlights with daytime running lights, reversing camera, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Assist, navigation and head-up display.

The Mazda MX-30 range starts with the Mazda MX-30 Prime-Line, which is marked out by 18-inch Silver  alloy wheels, black door mirrors and a black grille, it’s exclusively offered in a single tone paint design with a choice of five colours: standard Arctic White, or Polymetal Grey, Ceramic White and Jet Black, plus Machine Grey.

Promising to be the biggest seller, the MX-30 Exclusive-Line features 18-inch Bright alloy wheels and sees an increase in standard equipment with the addition of power seats, lumber support adjustment and smart keyless entry. There’s the option to choose a three-tone design – Mazda’s latest exterior colour, Zircon Sand or Soul Red Crystal can be matched to a Brilliant Black roof and Black side panels, while customer’s opting for Jet Black can expect a Brilliant Black roof with Silver side panels. In addition, Ceramic White can be matched to a Brilliant Black roof with Dark Grey side panels.

The range-topping Makoto features three interior trim options – a light grey cloth interior trim with Stone artificial leather, or an optional dark grey and brown artificial leather interior, plus new for 2022, a dark grey interior with black artificial leather. This trim features a dark brown cork console and door grips.

High-grade standard equipment on the Makoto MX-30 includes a front wiper de-icer and a power and tilt sunroof, while inside a heated steering wheel and 12-speaker Bose surround sound complement the generous standard specification.

All MX-30s come with a comprehensive standard safety specification, while Makoto adds to this with a host of extra active safety technology and a 360-degree view monitor. Across the entire MX-30 range, the MX-30’s distinctive, stylish and sustainable cabin features high-quality materials and a driver focused interior. The lower console incorporates a 7-inch colour touch-screen climate control panel, and in a nod to Mazda’s founding as the Toyo Kogyo Cork Company in 1920, the Mazda MX-30 features cork lined centre console trays and inner side door handles. Harvested from the bark of trees without felling, the use of cork and door trim materials that incorporate fibres from recycled plastic bottles, are perfectly suited to Mazda’s first pure electric production car. Benefiting passengers and drivers alike, the sense of space is enhanced with a floating centre console that sits independently from the dashboard, while the use of environmentally-friendly materials has been carefully matched to meticulous quality and finish.

Externally, the MX-30’s looks will leave just as strong an impression, reflecting a unique expression of Kodo design, the MX-30’s styling emphasises the cars beauty as a solid mass, while the freestyle doors and framed glasshouse hint at the open spaciousness of the cabin. The front doors open forward to an angle of 82 degrees, while the rear doors open backwards to an angle of 80 degrees to reveal the stylish and driver focused interior.

Staying true to the ‘Jinbai Ittai – car and driver as one’ ethos found across Mazda’s combustion engine range, the Mazda MX-30 has been designed to deliver the intuitive responses, natural feedback and involving handling you’d expect of a Mazda. Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus) enhances chassis performance by using motor torque to optimise the front-rear load shift for improved stability and the MX-30’s Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture is specifically tailored to complement the smooth power delivery of the e-Skyactiv drivetrain. The dynamic focus also extends to a throttle pedal that delivers a seamless transition between linear power delivery and smooth regeneration on lift off, equally, the braking system offers a seamless transfer between energy regeneration and hydraulic brake action.

Commenting on the 2022 Mazda MX-30, Managing Director, Mazda Motors UK, Jeremy Thomson, said: “our first all-electric Mazda heralded an exciting start to Mazda’s second century in business. A battery electric vehicle conceived and created with Mazda’s well-renowned focus on distinctive styling, innovative technology, driver focused dynamics and class-leading interior quality, the MX-30 is a stand out addition to the rapidly evolving EV marketplace. Part of Mazda’s multi-solution approach to efficient vehicles, our first pure electric car is a milestone moment for the brand and a landmark moment for our dealers and customers here in the UK.”

Adding, “with the number of multi-tone colour schemes increased to four, the introduction of our new Zircon Sand colour and the option to choose the new dark grey and black interior on Makoto models there’s more customer choice than ever.”

Heralding a new chapter in Mazda’s successful SUV history, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 joins the recently unveiled Mazda CX-60 with the marque’s first plug-in hybrid technology powertrain, Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid equipped Mazda CX-30 and recently updated 2022 Mazda CX-5 in Mazda’s comprehensive SUV line-up.