IRVINE, Calif.—It is truthful to say that Mazda has some work forward of it with reference to electrification. The Japanese automaker has repeatedly impressed us with its eager understanding of auto dynamics and a focus to particulars. However Mazda is barely simply bringing its first-generation battery electrical automobile—the MX-30 compact crossover—to market, at a time when different automotive makers are on their fifth.
It will be straightforward to dismiss the Mazda MX-30 simply based mostly on the numbers. The 100-mile (160 km) vary would be the largest hurdle for individuals to recover from; that might have been a tough promote in 2014, not to mention now in 2021. Then there’s the truth that Mazda solely plans to import 560 MX-30s for now, all certain for California. This isn’t an EV for the plenty, one thing Mazda’s PR individuals had been upfront about. They freely describing the $33,470 (earlier than federal tax credit) EV as a “commuter automotive.”
And but Mazda is the automotive firm that constructed a crossover that is extra enjoyable to drive than most scorching hatches. It has additionally churned out greater than one million MX-5 Miatas. Which is why I went to California final week to search out out whether or not the MX-30 is a uncommon Mazda misstep or if the boffins from Hiroshima had a shock in retailer in spite of everything.
Learn 16 remaining paragraphs | Feedback
