Mazda MX-30 goes hybrid

The electric Mazda MX-30 debuted in 2019 and was slated for May production and launch in the fall of 2020. This never happened, but in the meantime, its mild-hybrid counterpart came out in Japan.

Remember the rumors that Mazda would put a small rotary engine in it to generate power for the main electric motor? The reality proved much more prosaic: the car comes with a simple two-liter non-turbo engine (156 hp / 116 kW, 199 Nm / 147 lb-ft) and a starter-generator (7 hp / 5 kW, 49 Nm / 33 lb-ft). The electric add-on works in conjunction with the start-stop system and improves acceleration. Charging the battery is out of the question, as is driving in full-electric mode. The transmission is six-speed automatic, and you can choose between FWD and AWD (the all-electric version will be FWD only, Mazda reports). The chassis with its semi-dependent rear suspension stems from the Mazda3.

The only visual difference that sets the hybrid aside from the all-electric car is its fuel tank lid on the left side (the EV has a charging port to the right). Even the exhaust pipe lies fully concealed under the rear bumper.

The dashboard has a tachometer where the EV has its power interchange meter. The multi-level center tunnel, gear joystick, corkwood details and recycled PET bottle upholstery are the same as announced before for the EV version.

Prices in Japan begin at the equivalent of U.S. $22,800, which is $200 above the starting price of the CX-30 five-door SUV. The Anniversary Edition can be had for $32,000. Mazda plans to sell around 1,000 cars per month.

The MX-30 EV will come out in January and will be much more expensive than its mild-hybrid counterpart.