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Mazda MX-30 vs Kia Soul EV: interior & infotainment

The MX-30 has the nicer interior here, but Kia's infotainment system is better to use

Mazda MX-30

Mazda is very good at designing and building classy, well-finished interiors and the MX-30's is no exception. The overall design is cool, clean and straightforward, with simple lines that should age well. Mazda has taken particular care to include some eco-friendly materials throughout, including recycled plastics and cork. It's all very well put together and feels upmarket.

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The infotainment setup feels minimalist by the standards of some other electric cars, such as the screen-filled Honda e; a driver's display and dash-top main screen (which could feel a little narrow and far away for some) are used in conjunction with a smaller touchscreen that sits on the centre console. This is mainly used for ventilation controls and works well.

Kia's interior design isn't quite as slick, but there's a clear focus on practicality in the Soul EV. It certainly feels far less modern than the exterior, with a more rounded design, but the build is solid.

Kia Soul EV

A large 10-inch central infotainment screen is paired with a smaller screen in place of traditional dials; Kia's infotainment system is clear, logical and responsive, but its graphics are starting to look a little dated next to those of newer rivals.

The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity in both cars is good news: we still generally prefer using smartphone-based navigation rather than relying on built-in systems.

Standard equipment is good generally on both cars: the Kia is only available in well-equipped First Edition trim, with GT Sport Tech offering a comparable set of features on the Mazda. If you can do without some bells and whistles such as smart keyless entry, built-in sat nav and a 12-speaker stereo, there are savings to be made by going for entry-level SE-L Lux trim, which starts at just over £25,500.

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