Mazda MX-30 interior, dashboard & comfort

The first thing you'll notice when getting into the Mazda MX-30 is that it uses the same 'missing B-pillar plus rear-hinged doors' approach as the BMW i3. And with it come the same frustrations experienced in the BMW: you can't access the rear seats without moving the driver or front-seat passenger out of the way, and the rear seats feel dark and claustrophobic, especially given the windows can't be opened.

Mazda had a keen eye on the ecological impact of the MX-30's battery when it designed the car and there's further evidence of this thinking in the make-up of the interior. The door panels are made from recycled plastic bottles and the centre console uses cork-tree bark.

Mazda isn't the only carmaker doing this – both the Renault ZOE and Polestar 2 use sustainable materials – but it's committed to the approach. The MX-30 is comfortable, too – firm yet supportive seats pair with supple suspension that strikes a good balance between pliancy and body control.

Mazda MX-30 dashboard

There's good news for front-seat occupants, who get a pair of very comfortable chairs to sit on, and an elegant touchscreen interface for both the climate control and infotainment functions. It uses the Mazda Connect operating system and will pair easily with a smartphone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The other piece of tech you'll instantly notice is the head-up display, which helps you focus on the road.

Equipment, options & accessories

Mazda revamped the MX-30's trim levels for 2022 and the range now starts with Prime-Line, which gets 18-inch alloy wheels, black door mirrors, a black grille, and a choice of five colours: Arctic White, Polymetal Grey, Ceramic White, Jet Black and Machine Grey.

Next up is Exclusive-Line – tipped by Mazda to be the biggest seller, which also has 18-inch alloy wheels, along with powered seats, adjustable lumbar support and smart keyless entry. It adds the option of three-tone exterior finish, with different roof, body and side-panel colours.

The range-topping Makoto features three interior trim options, a dark brown cork console and door grips, a front wiper de-icer, a powered tilting sunroof, a heated steering wheel and a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

Infotainment, apps & sat nav

An 8.8-inch infotainment display sits atop the dashboard and is operated with a rotary controller in the centre console. The system is fit-for-purpose, but it's nice that the sat nav can be bypassed using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The smaller driver's display is clear, but we'd rather the climate control worked with conventional knobs and switches as opposed to having its own dedicated touchscreen. 

As has become the norm for electric vehicles, Mazda offers its MyMazda app for smartphones. This can be used to control charging, climate-control settings and other options remotely. The app will also send you notifications if you forget to charge your MX-30 – a handy feature.