The Electric Mazda CX-30 City mouse to Country mouse: 24Hour Test Drive

THE INTERIORS 

The Mazda CX-30 has tan corky interiors. It's the little things. Perhaps I should be talking about the rear hinge doors, the lane assistance tech or the fact that it covers circa 120 miles when fully charged. But when you get into a car like this, the feel, the ambiance, the light in the cabin, these are the subconscious affiliations you'll have with a car and will inform you whether you'll be bored or buoyant by being inside. 

'Look it has up-cycled cork on the centre console' these were the first words to fall from my mouth once Tuula, Charlie and I bounced inside for a trip to the county. As some of you may have caught on my instagram post, I high-tailed this car to London Forest from Clapham last week. 

Initially I did have some driving anxiety, how to charge it, where to charge it, will someone come and find us if we're stranded and should I pack some emergency Jaffa Cakes for survival just in case? 

I'm sure we've all experienced the same insecurities before setting off to the country in an electric car. After all, this is a city car. This is designed (in my view) for the commuter that lives no more than 30 miles away from his work place. (Average commute distance). 

So it's not small enough for a coupe and not big enough for an SUV. It's a bit of a hybridisation of the two, yet lacks the best qualities of both. On the surface the design looks a lot like the petrol powered CX-30 minus the branding, a less prominent grill and of course, the exhaust pipes. 

Inside the cabin is well lit and the doors are composed from vegan leather and recycled bottles. A nice touch. There is plenty of room for Charlie in the back though tall humans will have a compact time. But with a modest 35.5 kw battery and max driving range of 124 miles, it's not like they'll feel the squeeze too long if at all. 

THE DRIVE

It's a comfortable drive, a quiet relaxing one and corners naturally. It doesn't have the pull power from junctions that you'd hope for, but that would be the only critique. 

I enjoy having the virtual speed reader that looks like it stretches outside the dashboard. AND the sound of the car has a nice feedback functionality. Rather than complete silence or Star Trek embossed zips and sweeps, the Mazda CX-30 has an agreeable tuned-hum. It's nice, reassuring. The steering is crisp and light, very natural in its response.

WHAT’S THE CHARGE? 

In London the charging points are plentiful and currently mostly unoccupied. Obviously if you're planning trips to the country that does take a bit more forward planning. But for your average ride around London you'll find you can park your car for free whilst also charging it. The 3-pin charger is especially useful when heading away from home visiting family (they will often let you charge up for free, thanks Dad!!!)

SUMMARY

This is an accessibly priced, stylish and eco-friendly mode of transport for the average commuter. If you're weekend retreat is further than 100 miles, it might not be the car for you. However, I don't think this is a car designed for that. This is for the inner city man/woman that would like to jaunt around from various place, appointments and have that independence away from public transport. Without paying through the nose for petrol consumption. 

This is my kind of car.  Request a 24 hour test drive.