Not quite ready for an electric car but keen to embrace electrified motoring? Here’s our guide to every new hybrid and plug-in hybrid you can buy
FIRST UK DRIVEMazda MX-30 R-EV
This new version of the MX-30 makes so much sense that it’s our favourite plug-in hybrid On sale Now Price from £34,750
IN FULLY ELECTRIC form, the Mazda MX-30 is brilliant in some ways and bad in others. Brilliant because of its plush interior and fine driving manners; bad because of its short real-world range (only around 115 miles in cold weather). But here is the solution: a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the same car.
The MX-30 R-EV has an electric motor, a battery and a rotary petrol engine – but the latter is there only to top up the battery, like a generator. That means you can drive the MX-30 R-EV, with its 50-litre fuel tank, as you would any other plug-in hybrid, with no range anxiety or inconvenient charging stops.
Three different driving modes let you choose how the car uses its fuel or electricity. ‘EV’ sticks you on pure electric power if you’ve got enough left from the 53-mile official range. ‘Charge’ forces the engine to replenish the battery and ‘Normal’ lets the car decide which is best, tending to use as much petrol as is necessary to maintain a 40% state of charge in the battery.
To drive, the R-EV is similar to the regular MX-30 in most ways, but there are some subtle differences. Because it’s got more power, it’s 0.6sec quicker from 0-62mph; 9.1sec is brisk enough, although plenty of rivals are swifter. Plus, there’s some droning engine noise occasionally, but never enough to irritate or disturb the general sense of peace inside.
As with the fully electric version, the power delivery is smooth, and so is the ride; the suspension soaks up most bumps and potholes in a calm and sophisticated way. With well-weighted steering and good body control, the MX-30 R-EV is enjoyable to drive along a twisty road, too.
The interior mirrors the electric MX-30’s and is as chic and elegant as an architect’s office. Fantastic build quality and luxurious materials are complemented by one of the best infotainment systems around, thanks in part to an intuitive rotary controller between the front seats that makes it a doddle to use on the move.
Practicality isn’t the MX-30’s forte, though. Its small, rear-hinged rear doors can be very impractical, especially in tight parking spots, and the rear seats are cramped for adults. Still, the 350-litre boot isn
