Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (140 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2023
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is sharply divided and highly dependent on use case and purchase price.
6 problems reported (3 very frequent, 1 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentExtremely limited range
EPA rating of ~100 miles (160 km) drops significantly at highway speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h), making it unsuitable for trips.
- Very frequentVery slow DC fast charging
Peak charge rate of only ~36 kW, with rapid tapering, resulting in charge times of approximately one hour for a 10-80% charge. Described as the slowest charging EV on the market.
- Very frequentUnderpowered acceleration
~140 hp motor results in sluggish performance, especially noticeable during highway merging and passing.
+ 3 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentFreestyle (suicide) doors
Criticized as impractical, requiring the front doors to be opened first, and creating access issues.
- IsolatedLack of a front trunk (frunk)
Engine bay space is empty but not utilized for storage, seen as a cost-cutting measure.
- IsolatedReduced cold-weather range
Significant loss of indicated and actual range in temperatures near freezing.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to differentiate between trims. Feedback is focused on the fundamental EV powertrain, which is consistent across all versions.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro EV, Nissan Leaf and Mini Cooper Electric.
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is sharply divided and highly dependent on use case and purchase price. A strong consensus exists that the vehicle is fundamentally compromised as a primary or long-distance electric vehicle due to its very limited range (approximately 100 miles/160 km EPA, with significant reduction at highway speeds), painfully slow DC fast charging (peaking around 36 kW and tapering quickly), and underwhelming acceleration from its ~140 hp single motor. It is frequently described as one of the worst EVs on the market from a specifications standpoint. However, a subset of owners report high satisfaction when the vehicle is acquired at a steep discount and used strictly as a secondary, urban commuter car. In this specific role, it is praised for its quiet, comfortable ride, high-quality interior materials, natural driving dynamics that mimic an ICE vehicle, and low operating costs. The consensus indicates severe disappointment for buyers expecting a competitive modern EV, but pragmatic acceptance for those who obtained it cheaply for a narrow, localized use case.
Positioning vs competitors
Universally positioned as inferior to mainstream EV competitors on core metrics of range, charging speed, and power. Specifically called out as worse than the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, which offers nearly double the range and more power for a similar or lower price. Compared to premium compact EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it is seen as non-competitive despite having a nicer interior. Its only potential advantage is a significant purchase discount due to poor sales and dealer inventory, which can make it a value proposition against more capable but more expensive EVs. It is not considered a true competitor for cross-country or even regional travel.
Recommended configurations
Only one specific configuration is mentioned: acquiring the vehicle at a heavily discounted price, typically from dealer inventory where it has sat unsold. Strong emphasis that it should only be considered as a secondary vehicle for city/commute use. No specific drivetrain or trim recommendations are made.
General recommendations
ONLY recommended for buyers who can secure a massive discount (examples given include under half of retail price) and who have a dedicated use case as a second car for short, predictable urban commutes with reliable home or workplace charging. Suitable for owners with another vehicle for long trips. Strongly NOT recommended as a primary or only vehicle. NOT recommended for anyone who requires highway driving, needs to make trips beyond its very limited range, or expects competitive EV performance. Essential to test drive at highway speeds to experience range depletion and lack of power. Verify access to reliable Level 2 charging. An extended warranty may be prudent given the niche technology and market failure of the model.
Remarks
Owner discussions indicate Mazda has discontinued the fully electric version in some markets (notably the US) and will only continue with a rotary range-extender version. The vehicle's fundamental specifications (small 30 kWh battery, slow charging, low power) are consistently attributed to it being a compliance car or a rushed product not seriously intended to compete in the modern EV market. High owner satisfaction is almost exclusively tied to deep transactional discounts, not the product's inherent capabilities. The vehicle remains on sale in other markets like Japan and Europe. Analysis based on approximately 24 substantive owner discussions.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearSource: NHTSA (US)Show table
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | steering |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Specifications
35.5 kWh e-SKYACTIV BEV
Electric · 145 hp · FWD · automatic
Built 2020–2026