The 2022 Mazda MX-30’s Range Is Surprisingly Low
When it comes to electric vehicles, range is everything. The 2022 Mazda MX-30’s range is underwhelming, to say the least. Here’s why the Mazda MX-30 is a pass if you have range anxiety.
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 doesn’t have a competitive estimated range
Mazda announced its first electric vehicle in the early spring of 2021. The Mazda MX-30 is similar to the Hyundai Kona Electric in size but not in capability. According to Road Show by CNET, the MX-30’s estimated range is nothing to write home about. In fact, you’ll be lucky to make it home if you aren’t carefully monitoring the MX-30’s battery capacity at all times.
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 uses a 35.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The compact SUVs battery produces a measly 100 miles of estimated range (yikes). To put the MX-30’s range into perspective, the Hyundai Kona Electric has an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated range of up to 258 miles. The MX-30 is in the same price range as the Kona Electric despite having less than half of its total range.
How important is electric vehicle range?
Just how important is electric vehicle range anyway? Well, picture this: you’re driving to visit relatives for the holidays during the weekend. Grandma’s house is just 50 miles away. You get there, spend the weekend, then drive your MX-30 back home so you can commute to work the next day. You start up your MX-30 on Monday morning and realize that you aren’t going anywhere because you have to charge your EV for several hours.
2022 Mazda MX-30 owners will face plenty of range issues that will ultimately affect their lifestyles. The gas-powered Hyundai Kona crossover gets about 356 miles of total range before needing to hit a gas station to refuel. The MX-30’s size just isn’t an excuse for its poor range, especially considering how it stacks up against the competition.
Electric vehicle range is the single most important EV spec, even more so because we lack the proper infrastructure to support EV charging nationwide as needed. The Mazda MX-30 is your worst nightmare if you enjoy going on road trips frequently. The MX-30’s range is reminiscent of the Smart Car, yet it doesn’t share the quirky design or size to justify its purchase price.
The Honda Clarity EV was killed off because of its poor range. Mazda seems to be making the same mistake that Honda did. The MX-30 won’t be appealing to the average American that hopes to commute to work and go places on weekends without experiencing extreme range anxiety.
Should you buy a 2022 Mazda MX-30?
The 2022 Mazda MX-30 starts at around $34,645. Its Premium Plus trim starts at $37,655. The MX-30 makes 143 horsepower using an electric motor.
The electric compact SUV model has a stylish exterior and a simplistic, refined interior. The MX-30 handles well on the road. Unfortunately, this electric vehicle doesn’t have nearly enough driving range to compete with its rivals. Don’t buy a Mazda MX-30 if you aren’t certain that you can live with its measly 100-mile driving range for a long, long time.
