Mazda has finally started to detail its electrification strategy, and it includes an all-electric SUV as well as the re-introduction of the rotary engine. Mazda will kick off its move toward the electric with the introduction of the 2022 MX-30, which will go on sale this fall.
But there’s a caveat: Initial sales will only be in California.
The good news, however, is this is just a start. Mazda has said it will roll the vehicle out nationally in 2022, but (another caveat) additional states will be based on customer demand.
Furthermore – and this relates to the rotary – Mazda will begin rolling out a plug-in hybrid version of the MX-30 with a rotary engine range extender. This will debut in 2022 as a 2023 model.
From the brief details in the press release, it appears the MX-30 will be a front-wheel-drive only vehicle, and it will deliver 144 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. We also know it will utilize a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. It will have both Level 2 and DC fast charge capability, and it can be charged up to 80% in 36 minutes.
But that about sums up the details we have on the 2022 MX-30. We don’t know range. We don’t have any inkling of pricing. And we don’t know the exact on-sale date.
I do have a couple educated guesses on the first two items, though, based on previous EVs with a similarly spec’d battery and other EVs on the market.
I’d guess the MX-30 will be in the 125 to 150 mile range – though I hope I’m wrong because that’s not nearly enough range to garner widespread adoption. For comparison’s sake, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV has a 65 kWh battery and up to 250 miles of range, and the Tesla Model Y has 75 kWh battery and up to 326 miles.
In terms of pricing, we anticipate it will be in the mid-$30K range. Nissan recently revealed the all-electric Ariya SUV, which will start at $40K, but it will have more power and range.
All this tells me the 2022 MX-30 will be more of an urban commuter car than an every-day driver.
The bottom line on the 2022 MX-30
The images revealed look like a more modern interpretation of the CX-30, with a cool black (glass?) roof and rear “suicide” doors, that hearken back to the RX-8. The interior looks high-end and high-tech with an interest array of sustainable materials – including cork!
I’m excited to see the 2022 MX-30 in real life, and I’ll be interested in getting more details about range on the battery electric vehicle as well as the plug-in hybrid with the rotary. Here’s to hoping we’ll have more info on both within a couple months.
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