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Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car brand discontinues its first and ONLY electric car that was hamstrung by short range & poor practicality
However, they plan to make another attempt at an EV next year END OF THE ROAD Major car brand discontinues its first and ONLY electric car that was hamstrung by short range & poor practicality MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin. The MX-30, which made its world debut back in 2019 at the Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV offered as an EV and as a plug-in hybrid. 4 Mazda's first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviews Credit: SUPPLIED 4 The MX-30's 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivals Credit: Supplied 4 New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV market Credit: SUPPLIED 4 Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticised Credit: Supplied But now, it's electric variant has quietly reached the end of its production lifespan. Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against the likes of the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008. However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality. One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 - aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors - was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery. The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car's weight, improved its handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production, but also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers. Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles - further highlighting the MX-30's shortcomings. WHAT'S NEXT? While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK. This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda. What's more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3. A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold - particularly in light of the UK Government's ZEV mandate. EZ-6 Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers' new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production. As reported by Auto Express, a Mazda spokesperson said: 'Mazda will meet the requirements of the ZEV/VETS legislation through the various flexibilities within the scheme and the introduction of further BEVs.' This comes as Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill recently got to road-test the new Mazda 3, featuring a gutsy 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car brand discontinues its first and ONLY electric car that was hamstrung by short range & poor practicality
MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin. The MX-30, which made its world debut back in 2019 at the Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV offered as an EV and as a plug-in hybrid. 4 Mazda's first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviews Credit: SUPPLIED 4 The MX-30's 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivals Credit: Supplied 4 New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV market Credit: SUPPLIED 4 Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticised Credit: Supplied But now, it's electric variant has quietly reached the end of its production lifespan. Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against the likes of the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008. However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality. One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 - aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors - was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery. Read more Motors News The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car's weight, improved its handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production, but also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers. Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles - further highlighting the MX-30's shortcomings. WHAT'S NEXT? While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK. This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda. Most read in Motors What's more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3. A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold - particularly in light of the UK Government's ZEV mandate. EZ-6 Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers' new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production. As reported by This comes as Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New Renault 4 is no longer a cheap, simple no frills runabout – it's now a funky family crossover & a capital B bargain
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE original Renault 4 was a tin snail. Small and slow with a big boot. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof Credit: Supplied 5 Renault sold eight million of the original R4 over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth best-selling car of all time Credit: Supplied 5 The 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharge to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break Credit: Supplied The only thing it was designed to beat was a Citroen 2CV. Talk about setting the bar low. But boy did it hit the spot. Renault sold eight million over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth best-selling car of all time. Now the R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof. Lifestyle, innit. So it's no longer the cheap, simple, no-frills runabout it once was. It's actually bigger and more expensive than a Renault 5. Yep, 4 is bigger than 5 at Planet Renault. Funny. I don't recall Manfred Mann singing, '4-5-3-2-1'. Yet it is still a capital-B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin Put an R4 through an X-ray machine and you'll see it has the same bones as an R5. Good start. The R5 is the 2025 European Car of the Year. It drives like an R5. Feels like an R5. Goes as far as an R5. The difference being that R4 is a bit longer and taller and has a bigger boot. So it's more practical. Better for dogs. It also has a low, flat loading sill like the Sixties original. As much as 10cm lower than the competition. Which tells me there's an R4 van coming soon. We're not getting that flip-down front passenger seat on UK cars right now. Which needs sorting. It would be mint for carrying long things like ladders or surfboards or chauffeuring Peter Crouch in the back. He'd have somewhere to stick his legs. This next bit is a little nerdy but braking regeneration is another area where the R4 trumps the R5. It has four modes controlled by flappy paddles on the steering wheel. So you can mimic changing down gears for a bend, and force-feed the battery with electrons. The R5 and its racy twin, the Alpine A290, don't have flappy paddles. Explain that one. The practical less sporty car gets the fun stuff. Also, there's a four-wheel-drive R4 in the pipeline for people who might actually do 'lifestyle-y' things with it at the weekend. As for range, the 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharges to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break. R4 isn't taking the smaller 40kWh battery available in the R5. As for looks, yes, it's another crossover. But it does have some cool references to the original R4, if you know your French onions. 5 The new R4 is still a capital B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags Credit: Supplied 5 Another successful reboot on the way Credit: Supplied Like the one-piece front grille. This time with an illuminated ring around it. Not chrome. Like the upright three-part rear lights. This time as LEDs. Like the roof rack. Not just for show. It can actually carry 80kg of stuff. Renault has successfully rebooted R4 and R5 as cool, cost-friendly EVs. What's next? A titchy £17k Twingo. KEY FACTS: RENAULT 4 Price : £26,995 : £26,995 Battery : 52kWh : 52kWh Power : 150hp : 150hp 0-62mph : 8.2 secs : 8.2 secs Top speed : 93mph : 93mph Range : 247 miles : 247 miles Out: July
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New Renault 4 is no longer a cheap, simple no frills runabout – it's now a funky family crossover & a capital B bargain
THE original Renault 4 was a tin snail. Small and slow with a big boot. Advertisement 5 The R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof Credit: Supplied 5 Renault sold eight million of the original R4 over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth best-selling car of all time Credit: Supplied 5 The 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharge to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break Credit: Supplied The only thing it was designed to beat was a Talk about setting the bar low. But boy did it hit the spot. Renault sold eight million over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth Advertisement READ MORE ROAD TESTS Now the R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof. Lifestyle, innit. So it's no longer the cheap, simple, no-frills runabout it once was. It's actually bigger and more expensive than a Renault 5. Advertisement Most read in Motors Yep, 4 is bigger than 5 at Planet Renault. Funny. I don't recall Manfred Mann singing, '4-5-3-2-1'. Yet it is still a capital-B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin Put an R4 through an X-ray machine and you'll see it has the same bones as an R5. Good start. The R5 is the 2025 European Car of the Year. It drives like an R5. Feels like an R5. Goes as far as an R5. The difference being that R4 is a bit longer and taller and has a bigger boot. So it's more practical. Better for dogs. Advertisement It also has a low, flat loading sill like the Sixties original. As much as 10cm lower than the competition. Which tells me there's an R4 van coming soon. We're not getting that flip-down front passenger seat on UK cars right now. Which needs sorting. It would be mint for carrying long things like ladders or surfboards or chauffeuring This next bit is a little nerdy but braking regeneration is another area where the R4 trumps the R5. Advertisement It has four modes controlled by flappy paddles on the steering wheel. So you can mimic changing down gears for a bend, and force-feed the battery with electrons. The R5 and its racy twin, the Alpine A290, don't have flappy paddles. Explain that one. The practical less sporty car gets the fun stuff. Also, there's a four-wheel-drive R4 in the pipeline for people who might actually do 'lifestyle-y' things with it at the weekend. As for range, the 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharges to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break. Advertisement R4 isn't taking the smaller 40kWh battery available in the R5. As for looks, yes, it's another crossover. But it does have some cool references to the original R4, if you know your French onions. 5 The new R4 is still a capital B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags Credit: Supplied 5 Another successful reboot on the way Credit: Supplied Advertisement Like the one-piece front grille. This time with an illuminated ring around it. Not chrome. Like the upright three-part rear lights. This time as LEDs. Like the roof rack. Not just for show. It can actually carry 80kg of stuff. Renault has successfully rebooted R4 and R5 as cool, cost-friendly EVs. Advertisement What's next? A titchy £17k Twingo. KEY FACTS: RENAULT 4 Price : £26,995 Battery : 52kWh Power : 150hp 0-62mph : 8.2 secs Top speed : 93mph Range : 247 miles Out : July
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
New Renault 4 is no longer a cheap, simple no frills runabout – it's now a funky family crossover & a capital B bargain
Rob Gill Published: Invalid Date, THE original Renault 4 was a tin snail. Small and slow with a big boot. 5 5 The only thing it was designed to beat was a Citroen 2CV. Talk about setting the bar low. But boy did it hit the spot. Renault sold eight million over 30 years and even today it still ranks as the eighth best-selling car of all time. Now the R4 has been reimagined for the electric age as a funky family crossover with a Google brain, squishy seats and a canvas roll-back roof. Lifestyle, innit. So it's no longer the cheap, simple, no-frills runabout it once was. It's actually bigger and more expensive than a Renault 5. Yep, 4 is bigger than 5 at Planet Renault. Funny. I don't recall Manfred Mann singing, '4-5-3-2-1'. Yet it is still a capital-B bargain at £27k, undercutting battery-powered rivals from Mini, Fiat, Ford and Vauxhall by several bags. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin Put an R4 through an X-ray machine and you'll see it has the same bones as an R5. Good start. The R5 is the 2025 European Car of the Year. It drives like an R5. Feels like an R5. Goes as far as an R5. The difference being that R4 is a bit longer and taller and has a bigger boot. So it's more practical. Better for dogs. It also has a low, flat loading sill like the Sixties original. As much as 10cm lower than the competition. Which tells me there's an R4 van coming soon. We're not getting that flip-down front passenger seat on UK cars right now. Which needs sorting. It would be mint for carrying long things like ladders or surfboards or chauffeuring Peter Crouch in the back. He'd have somewhere to stick his legs. This next bit is a little nerdy but braking regeneration is another area where the R4 trumps the R5. It has four modes controlled by flappy paddles on the steering wheel. So you can mimic changing down gears for a bend, and force-feed the battery with electrons. The R5 and its racy twin, the Alpine A290, don't have flappy paddles. Explain that one. The practical less sporty car gets the fun stuff. Also, there's a four-wheel-drive R4 in the pipeline for people who might actually do 'lifestyle-y' things with it at the weekend. As for range, the 52kWh battery will do up to 247 miles and recharges to 80 per cent in a 30-minute tea-and-pee break. R4 isn't taking the smaller 40kWh battery available in the R5. As for looks, yes, it's another crossover. But it does have some cool references to the original R4, if you know your French onions. 5 5 Like the one-piece front grille. This time with an illuminated ring around it. Not chrome. Like the upright three-part rear lights. This time as LEDs. Like the roof rack. Not just for show. It can actually carry 80kg of stuff. Renault has successfully rebooted R4 and R5 as cool, cost-friendly EVs. What's next? A titchy £17k Twingo.
