At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, Mazda pulled back the curtain on two concept vehicles that got everyone talking. The MAZDA VISION X-COUPE and the MAZDA VISION X-COMPACT (‘X’ pronounced as ‘cross’) both embody the company’s theme for this year’s exhibition: “The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow” for 2035. These aren’t just pretty show cars sitting under bright lights. They’re packed with tech that could change how we think about cars and the environment.

• Vision X-Compact features empathetic AI that acts like a close companion, engaging in natural conversation and suggesting destinations based on your mood.
• Vision X-Coupe combines a two-rotor rotary turbo engine with electric motors, producing 503 hp and offering 100 miles of pure electric range.
• Mazda’s mobile carbon capture technology pulls CO2 directly from exhaust, meaning the car actually helps clean the atmosphere as you drive.

A Car That Actually Talks Back

Think about the last time you drove alone and wished you had someone to chat with. Vision X-Compact introduces empathetic AI that does way more than read directions. Mazda envisions the AI giving you encouragement with comments like, “Ooh, nice merge!” or gentle warnings like, “Blind spot, left side.” It reads your mood to queue up the ideal playlist or stays silent when it detects you need some alone time.

Vision X-Compact could be Mazda’s sneak peek at the next-generation CX-30. The Mazda CX-30 has already earned a reputation for sharp handling and a premium cabin, so adding AI companionship to the mix could make the next generation stand out even more. The concept measures about 150 inches long, making it smaller than most compact SUVs but bigger than subcompacts, right in the sweet spot for city driving.

Driving That Actually Helps the Planet

Here’s where things get wild. Most eco-friendly cars ask you to give something up, whether power, range, or fun behind the wheel. Mazda flips that script. The more you drive, the more you help the earth. Driving becomes even more positive and enjoyable than before.

Mazda developed carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae, which absorb CO2 as they grow. What makes this even cooler is the mobile carbon capture system. Vision X-Coupe features a “Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture” system that pulls CO2 directly from the exhaust, which can then be recycled. The more the car is driven, the cleaner it effectively becomes.

Mazda will showcase this tech on the Mazda 55 by entering it in a super endurance race next month. Testing the technology in racing conditions shows they’re putting their ideas through real-world punishment, not making promises for press releases.

Power From a Rotary Hybrid

Vision X-Coupe offers about 100 miles of pure electric driving and nearly 500 miles total. The concept is powered by a two-rotor rotary turbo engine with an electric motor and battery, producing 503 hp. Rotary engines have always been Mazda’s thing. They’re smaller, lighter, and smoother than traditional engines.

The plug-in hybrid setup gives you electric driving for daily commutes and gas engine power for road trips. Add the carbon capture promise, and you’ve got a car that could genuinely improve your life instead of getting you from point A to point B.

Will People Want AI in Their Cars?

Mazda claims this technology will make every journey richer, like spending time with a friend. Whether that sounds creepy or clever probably depends on how you feel about technology in general. Some folks will love having a car that learns their habits and anticipates what they need. Others might worry about privacy or prefer the peace and quiet of driving alone with their thoughts.

CEO Masahiro Moro said in the release, “Mazda believes that the joy of driving can be a force for positive change for society and the planet.” That philosophy runs through everything these concepts represent. You shouldn’t have to choose between a car that’s fun to drive and one that’s good for the environment.

What Showrooms Might Look Like by 2035

Both Vision models share unusual lighting signatures with razor-thin LEDs that cut through body panels, a glowing Mazda logo, and exaggerated surfaces that feel half sci-fi, half industrial design exercise. These design choices might seem bold now, but they’re giving us a peek at what showroom floors could look like in ten years.

Although they are concepts, Mazda acknowledges that they work as live previews of upcoming products without yet confirming deadlines or markets. Vision X-Compact measures about 150 inches long, putting it right in the sweet spot for city driving without feeling cramped. These Vision models show a company that’s thinking about 2035 but building technology we could use tomorrow.