2020 MX-30 is Mazda’s first EV with RX-8’s cool rear doors

Mazda is officially joining the electric vehicle segment with the 2020 MX-30. Unveiled at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the MX-30 looks like a sporty two-door crossover at first glance, but a closer look reveals something more – it has the RX-8’s polarizing rear suicide doors.

After years of waiting, the RX-8 is finally back. Well, at least its rear doors are, but we digress.

The Mazda MX-30 is the Japanese brand's first mass-production EV. There aren’t any specifics yet about the MX-30’s powertrain, including the numbers, but reports said that the EV crossover will have a single electric motor that produces 143 hp. It also has a 35.5-kWh battery that should provide an estimated range of 210 kilometers. Charging time hasn't been disclosed, though.

The range figure might sound small, especially that this is one of the most important numbers for EVs, but Mazda said that the MX-30 isn’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill commuter EV. According to the automaker, the mass-market EV is designed to provide joy to its driver, which is in line with Mazda’s long-running Jinbai-Ittai philosophy.

With that said, the Mazda MX-30 is powered by the brand’s new electric-drive technology, e-SkyActiv, aiming to combine “smooth driving behavior” with “outstanding response.”

“In any era, Mazda wants people to experience exuberant moments in life through cars,” said Akira Marumoto, Mazda's Representative Director, President and CEO. “We will continue striving to deliver creative products and technologies so our customers will love and hold onto their Mazda for a long time.”

Inside, the MX-30 adopts a sustainable cabin design in terms of materials used. It’s donned with environmentally-conscious materials such as cork and fabrics made from recycled materials, which aligns itself with the very concept of emissions-free vehicles like the MX-30. As for the RX-8 rear doors, Mazda said that the “freestyle doors” are there “so customers can invent new and creative ways of using the car.”

The MX-30 will start its customer deliveries next year, with reports saying that pre-orders already in place for the European market. It’s still unclear whether Mazda Philippines will bring in its first EV here, but we’re crossing our fingers for that.