2021 Mazda MX-30 Electric pricing and specs detailed: Can the Hyundai Kona Electric and MG ZS EV rival compete?

Mazda Australia’s first electric car, the MX-30 Electric, will go on sale later this week and enter showrooms from August this year wearing a pricetag of $65,490 before on-road costs.

Only one highly-equipped E35 Astina grade will be available of the small SUV, positioned $24,500 above the top-spec mild-hybrid G20e Astina, with only 100 units offered for the time being.

Pricing for the MX-30 flagship puts it well above all-electric small SUV rivals like the MG ZS EV ($43,990 drive-away) and Hyundai Kona Electric (from $62,000 before on-road costs), as well the just-launched Nissan Leaf e+ ($60,490) and Tesla Model 3 ($62,900).

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Powered by a 107kW/271Nm electric motor that drives the front wheels, the MX-30 Electric also boasts a 35.5kWh battery for a driving range of just 200km.

However, the smaller battery and limited range were “chosen to minimise CO2 emissions throughout its life cycle”, according to Mazda.

The smaller battery also allows for faster recharge times, with the charging from 20 to 80 per cent achievable in three hours through an AC wallbox or 6.6kWh public charger, and in just 36 minutes with a 50kWh DC fast charger.

Using a standard outlet and supplied charging cable though, the MX-30 E35 Astina will need around 9 hours to go from 20 to 80 per cent battery capacity.

The MX-30 E35 Astina also compensates for its high pricetag with a long list of equipment, which includes 18-inch wheels, automatic and adaptive LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-folding side mirrors, push-button start, keyless entry, single-zone climate control, heated steering wheel and front seats, head-up display, and 7.0-inch driver display.

Handling multimedia duties is an 8.8-inch touchscreen system, complete with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, satellite navigation, digital radio and premium 12-speaker Bose sound system.

The interior is kitted out with synthetic leather trim and recycled cork in keeping with the MX-30 Electric’s eco-friendly mandate, with the front seats also featuring electronic adjustment.

As for safety, the MX-30 Electric comes with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, surround-view monitor, and front and rear parking sensors.

Standard colours on the MX-30 Electric includes ‘Ceramic Metallic’, ‘Jet Black Mica’ and ‘Artic White’, but buyers can spend $495 for ‘Machine Grey Metallic’ and ‘Polymetal Grey Metallic’.

However, a unique three-tone finish is also on offer for an extra $995, available in Mazda’s signature ‘Soul Red Metallic’ or ‘Polymetal Grey’.

The MX-30 E35 Astina is also offered under Mazda's guaranteed future value program, Mazda Assured, which locks in the car's value after the determined lease term.