Mazda MX-30 (2023) Review

Mazda argued that a small battery was the environmentally honest choice, since manufacturing a large one carries its own cost and most journeys are short. The argument is not stupid and the car is not badly made: the cabin uses cork and recycled materials to genuinely pleasant effect, it steers with the precision the badge implies, and it is quiet and easy in a city. But a real-world range around a hundred miles was already uncompetitive at launch against cars costing the same, and no amount of reasoning survives contact with a buyer comparing spec sheets.

The rear-hinged half doors look interesting and make the back seat awkward to use. Resale has been catastrophic, which is the axis that punishes this car hardest and the one prospective used buyers should notice, because at a low enough price the compromises start to make sense in a way they never did new.