Mazda’s first electric vehicle, the 2022 MX-30, fell short of the goals of a successful EV, despite its sleek design and good handling typical of Mazda cars.
The 2022 MX-30, which costs $34,000 and is only sold in California, returned just 100 miles of range, according to the EPA, so it didn’t make a dent in its competitors.
Mazda says the MX-30 will get another facelift, becoming a plug-in hybrid, as the rotary engine returns to Mazda’s lineup for the first time since 2012.
Mazda Europe announced that the updated crossover, will be called the MX-30 R-EV, and will be revealed in full on January 13.
Mazda showed off a new logo that will presumably adorn the plug-in hybrid, featuring a lowercase “e” within a triangle representing the shape of a rotary engine.
Will it come to North America?
While the MX-30 had been sold in the United States solely as an electric vehicle, a mild hybrid version featuring Mazda’s 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G inline-four was offered in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Mazda has yet to announce the MX-30 R-EV for North America, but the plug-in hybrid version is expected to arrive on these shores in the 2023 model year.
It is expected that following the rotary-powered crossover is revealed, more details should come on availability on American shores.
Mazda’s statement
True to its multi-solution approach to the global challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Mazda will introduce a new powertrain option for its MX-30 at the 2023 Brussels Motor Show.
Available on the European market from spring this year, the unique plug-in hybrid powertrain of Mazda’s compact crossover will feature an electric generator powered by a newly developed rotary motor.
The new MX-30 model will be unveiled on the Mazda booth at the Brussels Motor Show on January 13, 2023, with a press conference at 10:00 CET