Mazda MX-30 R-EV Review & Prices

Parachute jumping isn’t for everyone. Neither is bungee jumping, but at least you know you are still attached to something solid when you step off the edge.

That’s a bit like the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. If you aren’t yet ready to take the leap to a fully electric car, the R-EV offers the slightly less intimidating prospect of a plug-in series hybrid.

“What’s that?” you may ask. Well, unlike a regular hybrid, the petrol motor in a series hybrid never drives the wheels. Instead, it’s there to generate electricity to power the motor, which can also be charged up like a regular plug-in hybrid or electric model.

Nissan does something similar with the e-Power versions of the Qashqai and X-Trail on a lesser non-plug-in scale; where Mazda’s system differs from Nissan’s is the ability to travel reasonable distances without needing to use the petrol engine. The R-EV has a 53-mile pure electric range, so a typical commute should be within reach without any exhaust emissions.

Mazda likes to do things differently, so the petrol engine is a rotary. Without getting too technical, Mazda says it’s a light engine that doesn’t take up much space. This 830cc unit has a 50-litre fuel tank, so Mazda reckons the combined range starting with a tankful and a fully charged 17.8kWh battery is around 400 miles.

The R-EV is slightly quicker than the fully electric MX-30, thanks to a power output of 170hp rather than the full EV’s 145hp.

Buyers pick from the same grades as when choosing a pure EV: Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line, and Makoto. There’s also a limited-run R Edition, with a maroon and black colour combination that’s unique to this version.

Surprisingly, prices are identical to the pure EV’s, starting from £31,250.

We’ll update this review Mazda is ready to give us a MX-30 R-EV. Meanwhile, why not read all about the fully electric MX-30 model?