Mazda MX-30 R-EV: Innovative hybrid with Wankel engine

Practical Test Mazda MX-30 R-EV with Wankel Engine as Range Extender

2025-04-30 From Sven Prawitz | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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The MX-30 R-EV shows Mazda's stubbornness: Instead of a larger battery, a Wankel engine provides the power. Bold solution or technical detour?

Mazda MX-30 E-REV(Image: Sven Prawitz/VCG) — Mazda MX-30 E-REV
(Image: Sven Prawitz/VCG)

With its minimalist design, the Mazda MX-30 makes a chic appearance on our roads. Its most striking visual feature is when the doors are open: the portal doors, which open in opposite directions, are eye-catching, but not very well thought out in practice. The rear door can only be opened when the front door is open—occupants in the rear seat cannot get out on their own. It is also quite cramped, which makes longer journeys a test of patience.

The interior looks very tidy at first glance, but also has special features. The mixture of gray fabric, artificial leather, cork and black plastic is definitely interesting. How robust the cork elements will be in the long term remains to be seen and has not been tested by us.

Range Extender with Rotary Piston Motor

At the end of last year, Mazda added the R-EV plug-in hybrid variant to its only electric model to date. While the purely electric version with its short range is driving potential buyers away, the range extender means that nobody needs to worry about range. According to the manufacturer, the MX-30 R-EV has a range of up to 680 kilometers (approx. 422.5 miles).

The big highlight: Mazda is bringing back the rotary piston engine—for the first time since the RX-8 was discontinued over ten years ago. The 75 hp unit is not mechanically connected to the wheels, but serves as an energy converter for the 170 hp electric motor via a generator. The electric range is around 85 kilometers (combined, approx. 52.8 miles)—a good figure for a plug-in hybrid. However, the Wankel engine is quite noisy when the battery is used up. Consumption is problematic, always exceeding six liters in the test.

The charging times are impressive: charging from 20 to 80 percent takes just 25 minutes at a DC fast charging station with at least 36 kW. With an 11 kW wallbox, the battery is fully charged after just 90 minutes.

MX-30 no Longer Configurable

In the tested Makoto trim (40,490 euros, 45,972.35 USD), the MX-30 R-EV offers an impressive package: Matrix LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable seats with memory function and a 230-volt socket in the trunk with 1,500 watts of power. With the Premium package, glass sunroof and multi-tone paintwork in Ceramic White, the price rises to almost 45,000 euros (51,093 USD).

Gallery

There is very little space on the rear seat bench. Even for children.(Image: Sven Prawitz/VCG)

The controls on the backrest of the front seats, on the other hand, are comfortable.(Image: Sven Prawitz/VCG)

Those sitting in the back also see little of the outside world.(Image: Sven Prawitz/VCG)

The Mazda MX-30 R-EV is powered by a 170 hp electric motor. The range is increased by a 75 hp rotary piston engine, which exclusively drives a generator.(Image: Sven Prawitz/VCG)

Gallery with 14 images

However, the model is currently only available as a new car in the Prime Line from 36,000 euros (40,874.40 USD) and can no longer be configured. When asked, Mazda confirmed that the MX-30 R-EV will be discontinued in the summer. Anyone looking for something special and who appreciates innovative technology will find a unique vehicle with a distinct character here—despite its weaknesses in terms of space and fuel consumption.

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