Drew Dowdell

The last Renesis was designed 20+ years ago for release in 2004. The issue with the 4-cylinder options is size. The previous renesis was capable of over 230hp in a 1.3-liter engine that was physically smaller than any 1.3-liter out there. Ah yea, you mean REV, range-extended vehicle. That playbook goes back to the Bolt. The way I am viewing this is that this will allow Mazda to range extend their smallest cars like the CX-30 and even the Miata. I know there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Miata does go electric, but that is going to be an amazingly fun go-cart.

Personally, I'd go with a row-my-own Jetta S with the Trax a distant 2nd. Both of them being turbos, despite their diminutive size, would still have okay low-end torque.