After much anticipation, the all-new 2022 Mazda MX-30 EV arrives at dealerships this fall and will initially launch in California before coming available in other markets. Now, at long last, we know how much the the MX-30 electric crossover will cost and what sort of stuff it'll come with. It starts at $34,470, and the sticker price can be bumped to $37,655 by way of the Premium Plus package.

The battery-electric MX-30's new powertrain is dubbed e-Skyactiv EV and consists of an electric motor at the front axle and a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Producing 143 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, the MX-30 EV gets an EPA-estimated 100 miles of driving range on a full charge—a low figure even by today's entry-level EV standards.

When plugged at a Level 3 fast-charging station, the battery can load up to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. A Level 2 240-volt charger requires just under two hours for the same amount of juice.

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Mounted directly under the vehicle floorboard, the battery pack is flat and modular, and its placement ensures the center of gravity stays low. For optimal performance, a thin cooling system helps the battery operate at the correct temperature.

Helping to control the vehicle load while providing more natural and consistent handling, the new G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus) is a standard feature on all MX-30 models. Because an electric motor can be as quiet as a soft breeze, the new EV from Mazda produces audible feedback that is in sync with the electric motor.

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Mazda has come up with an EV-specific purchase incentive targeted at folks who currently drive a gas-powered vehicle—by teaming up with the ChargePoint charging network to offer customers a $500 credit. Buyers can use this credit to charge at public stations or toward the purchase of an in-home ChargePoint Level 2 charger. And for extended road trips that many of us cannot do without—and many owners of gas-powered vehicles will miss—Mazda is introducing a Mazda MX-30 Elite Access Loaner Program. An exclusive benefit for MX-30 owners, this program will give customers access to other (read: traditional gas-fed) vehicles in the Mazda lineup for up to 10 days per year during the first three years of ownership.

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A newcomer to the electric vehicle segment, the Mazda MX-30 EV features rear-hinged rear doors, two-tone paint, a coupe-like roofline, and sharp 18-inch wheels. All-new premium exterior color options include Polymetal Gray, Ceramic Metallic, or Soul Red Crystal. Although mostly sporting a multitone look, the dark gray roof paired with the silver D-pillar badges creates a three-tone scheme. Also available in monotone, paint choices include Ceramic Metallic, Polymetal Gray, or Jet Black.

Warm and inviting, the cabin is composed of eco-friendly materials, including cork bits and pieces that pay homage to Mazda's origin as a cork manufacturer over 100 years ago. The door trim panels also are made up of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.

An 8.8-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rearview camera with rear parking sensors make the list of standard equipment. Other amenities include heated front seats, a power moonroof, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support.

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Among an array of safety systems, the standard i-Activesense safety suite bundles adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go traffic assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The optional Premium Plus package adds blind-spot assist, which provides steering assistance to help maintain the vehicle within its lane when another car is in the MX-30's blind spot.

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Those who opt for the Premium trim grade also get a Bose 12-speaker sound system, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree view monitor with front parking sensors, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, and three months of SiriusXM. The well-appointed two-tone interior featuring synthetic leather uses 20 percent recycled threads and is available in Pure White with gray fabric or Vintage Brown with black fabric. Under this package, the 18-inch wheels come finished in bright silver, and Machine Gray Metallic exterior paint is available as a single tone.

Regardless of trim, the MX-30 is priced fairly high (before applicable tax incentives customers might qualify for). A Nissan Leaf, for example, delivers more driving range and similar sizing for thousands less. A Tesla Model 3, which packs over twice the range (253 miles per charge) and more power starts at just over $40,000—not far from the MX-30's list price. Chevy's Bolt, arguably the MX-30's most direct competitor (it, too, is a front-drive, tallish hatchback), serves up 259 miles of range and costs a mere $31,995.

Again, stirring in tax incentives, the Mazda's price effectively starts at under $30,000—but with so many other EVs available for similar (or not much more) money, is 100 miles of range enough, even with available gas-fed loaners?

2022 Mazda MX-30 Pricing

• MX-30: $34,470
• MX-30 Premium Plus: $37,655