[TEST DRIVE] Miranda drives the 2022 Mazda MX-30 GT

The MX-30 is Mazda's first contribution to the EV world. It carries a lot of what the Japanese manufacturer is known for in terms of style and technologies, but it misses the mark in one very important aspect.
Full review: www.guideautoweb.com/en/artic...

[@zrogon]

Here is the thing... if you have a home/garage with a wallcharger then there is absolutely no issue with this car.
You bought a city car, you don't drive more than 200km per day. Period.
In the morning the car is fully recharged and ready for your next day, worry free.
It's neither long-range, nor has it been advertised as long range. My first test ride I asked about the range and was told not to expect more than 150km.
I actually manage over 200 in summer, and about 150-180 in winter depending on temperatures.
However.
Charging this car on DC is abysmal.
Official paperwork tells you 20-80% takes 36minutes on a 50kW DC fast charger.
It's a... well... a stretch...
First of all, using a 50kW or greater charger doesn't mean you'll be charging at 50kW or greater.
Theoretical specs for the chargins system according to specifications which Mazda released at one point said 150Amps with a 400V system.
This puts the system at a 60kW recharging capability, unfortunately for us they also decided soon after to throttle this system (probably for warranty purposes, to make sure that they never have to replace a battery!).
As a result the car maxes out at 100 Amps, with approx 360V. This gives as a maximum charging of about 36kW... no joke.
A car made in 2021/2022 recharges on DC slower (steep decline in the charging curve) than a 22kW AC charger in a Renault Zoe from many years ago... holy shit!!!!
Second, those 36 minutes are only doable with a warm battery... and oh boy, let me tell you - MX30 battery is NEVER warm when the outside temperature is below 15degC.
You can warm it up by running the car on the highway for about 30-40km at max speed, which sort of defies the purpose of this car, which was NOT DESIGNED FOR THE HIGHWAY... somebody explain to me this stupidity... what the hell is wrong with you Mazda?
Full recharge in winter on a DC is realistically closer to 2,5h, and 20-80% will cost you 1h30min AT LEAST, if the outside temp is not below freezing.
Below freezing you might as well get on a bicycle and start recharging with your muscles, it will take just as long. In fact, don't bother with DC below freezing without pre-warming the battery pack. It's simply a waste of time.
Now, I've vented regarding the charging. Here is the thing.
It's the only complain I have. Yes - It's a MASSIVE issue for an electric car, but it is also the only one I have for it (plus some noises from the doors).
This car is beautiful, comfy, stable on the road, fast enough for nearly all situations, very very efficient considering the shape, and equipped beyond reason for the asking price.
The moment I test rode this I knew that I was going to buy it, and that I will be bitching about the charging speed. I knew it, and I am, and I will not stop.
Castrating the charging system of this car was the greatest sin Mazda could've committed here.
I would buy it again for the 21k euros.
I wouldn't pay a cent more for it.
I wouldn't buy a version with a range extender (burning fossil fuel in an electric car to extend it's range is a prophanity).

[@acefr8816]

A small battery makes sense as most people living in the urban area do not drive that far, but small battery coupled with slow DC charging is not. Let's say I fully charged the car at night and run some errands next day and out of the blue I need to visit a friend living 30 miles away in the evening, then I have to wait an hour to charge before I go?

[@JFomo]

Is this a self driving car because your hands were barely on the steering wheel.