MX-30 mild hybrid starts at $33,990, EV due mid-2021

Mazda’s first entry into electrified motoring will kick off from $33,990 plus on-road costs for a mild hybrid four-cylinder.

The compact SUV is the same size as the more conventional CX-30 but comes with unique rear-hinged back doors.

An all-electric version of the MX-30 – the E35 Astina – will arrive mid-year as the environmental hero of a lineup focused on design and eco-friendliness.

Read our first drive of the Mazda MX-30 E35 Astina.

But for now there’s a mild hybrid system that utilises a 2.0-litre four-cylinder making 114kW and 200Nm.

Fuel consumption is on par with other 2.0-litre Mazda’s, with combined consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km.

But the MX-30 uses innovative materials – including cork and leather-look Maztex – in the push to appeal to a younger buyer.

“This vehicle is designed for young, urban lifestyles that are design-driven and environmentally conscious,” says Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi.

“These attributes, the aesthetic and the environmental focus are the pillars of the MX-30 experience.”

That mild hybrid G20e – as it will be badged – will be available in three trim levels covering a price range up to $40,990 for the top-shelf Astina.

The entry grade $33,990 MX-30 G20e Evolve is still generously appointed, coming with satellite-navigation, dual-zone ventilation, auto lights and wipers, digital radio tuning, radar cruise control, blind spot warning, auto braking in forward and reverse, rear cross traffic alert, tyre pressure sensors and traffic sign recognition.

As with all MX-30 variants it gets 18-inch alloy wheels.

The mid-grade Touring is $36,490 plus on-roads and adds things such as smart key entry, illuminated vanity mirrors, an electric driver’s seat and a convincing form of fake leather called Maztex.

The flagship G20e Astina, at $40,990, gets heated front seats and steering wheel, sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, adaptive headlights and a driver monitor. Its seats are trimmed in a modern material combined with Vintage Brown Maztex.

That’s the mild hybrid, now for the electric…

The big question is how much the the MX-30 EV will cost.

Mazda has confirmed the EV will initially only be offered with the top-line Astina trim and it will be badged as E35.

The MX-30 E35 Astina replaces the mild hybrid’s petrol engine with a single electric motor driving the front wheels.

That e-motor makes 107kW and 271Nm.

It has a 35.5kWh battery pack claimed to provide a range between charges of 224km.

The MX-30 EV can accept a 6.6kW AC charge and 50kW AC charge, the latter claimed to charge the electric SUV from 20 to 80 percent in 36 minutes.

With AC charging it’ll raise that charge time to about three hours, or you can use the AC powerpoint at home and get a full charge (0-100 percent) in about 16 hours; the reality is most people will be able to use a household powerpoint to do their charging and get upwards of 150 kilometres of daily range.

Other than the omission of a spare tyre – the electric E35 gets a repair kit instead – equipment levels are identical. The E35 even gets the same 311-litre luggage capacity.

As for the price, best guesses are the E35 Astina could start at around $50,000.

We’ll get an exact figure closer to its mid-year on-sale date.