Mazda MX-30 safe for Australia with minor update and price rises, axed in the US

The updated 2023 Mazda MX-30 small SUV has arrived in Australia with additional technology, new colours and price rises.

While local examples of the MX-30 have received an update, Mazda has announced the model will be axed in the United States after less than two years and fewer than 600 sales in California, the only US state where it was available to the public.

Mazda USA said it would focus its “electrification efforts” on the CX-90 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) expected in Australia in 2024, the smaller CX-70 PHEV, and a hybrid powertrain for the not-for-Australia CX-50 mid-size SUV tipped to be shared with the popular Toyota RAV4.

First launched in Australia in 2021, the Mazda MX-30 is available locally in all-electric or mild-hybrid form, with the majority of sales in favour of the latter variant, which is exclusively offered in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

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“MX-30 will continue to be offered in Australia,” said a Mazda Australia spokesperson.

“We recently launched a minor update to the model locally and it continues to be sold to our expectations.”

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals around 2000 MX-30s have been registered in Australia between the start of 2021 and mid-2023, compared to more than 33,000 examples of the related CX-30 small SUV.

A rotary-powered range-extender plug-in hybrid version has commenced production for Europe, with sales understood to be exclusive to that continent. It was initially expected to be sold in Australia and the United States, but both divisions are believed to have backtracked on these plans.

The update for local MX-30 examples sees the previously-optional Vision Technology package become standard for the G20e Evolve and Touring variants, a repositioned gear shift lever to the front, and new colour options including zircon sand and new two-tone finishes.

Pricing for the G20e Evolve and Touring has increased by $2300 each, while the Astina variants are between $800 and $920 dearer than before.

A faster 50kW DC charge rate – up from 40kW – has been added to the electric MX-30 E35 Astina for a 20 to 80 per cent top-up in a claimed 26 minutes, saving around 10 minutes.

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In addition, the E35 Astina receives new EV side badging and a revised ‘e-Skyactiv-EV’ rear badge – but misses out on vehicle-to-home functionality added in Japan.

Under the skin, the MX-30 ‘E35’ has an unchanged 107kW/271Nm electric motor powering the front wheels, with a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery allowing for a modest WLTP-rated 224-kilometre driving range.

Internal-combustion ‘G20e’ variants continue to feature a 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine shared with the CX-30 and Mazda 3, with its ‘mild-hybrid’ system denoted by the added 24-volt starter-motor generator and small battery pack.

It has a claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km.

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The updated 2023 Mazda MX-30 – in mild-hybrid and all-electric form – is now available in Australia.

2023 Mazda MX-30 pricing

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2023 Mazda MX-30 features

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2023 Mazda MX-30 G20e Touring features

2023 Mazda MX-30 G20e Astina features

2023 Mazda MX-30 E35 Astina features