By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring
The Mazda CX-30 is a small-medium SUV that squeezes into the space between the company’s original SUVs, the compact CX-3 and the mid-sized CX-5.
Between them, these three vehicles accounted for around 55 per cent of total Mazda sales in 2022 and were a major factor in the brand being locked solidly into second place behind Toyota in total sales.
Adding to the mix is the MX-30 which shares the same platform as the CX-30, but with a sleeker design. All models have an EV component, either petrol/electric hybrid or pure electric.
The CX-30 comes with five equipment levels, in ascending order: Pure, Evolve, Touring, Astina and Touring SP. Prices range from $30,210 for a manual Pure FWD through to $48,310 for an X20 Astina AWD mild hybrid. On-road costs need to be added.
STYLING
CX-30 has quite a conservative design which is likely to appeal more to owners at the older end of the age-scale. Our test car was Snowflake White, one of eight colour choices, and it didn’t really do justice to the look of the car compared to some of the brighter options.
The shape of the CX-30 is similar to the Mazda3 hatch but taller, more ground clearance and a sportier profile that’s almost coupe like.
At the front there are swooping headlamps flanking a large black version of the current Mazda family grille with an attractive textured fill. All variants get daytime running lights, LED in the Astina, halogen in the others
The CX-30 Pure that we tested came with 16-inch alloy wheels, all higher-grade models roll on 18s.
At the rear there are wraparound tail-lights, small roof spoiler, twin exhaust pipes and more black plastic in the bumper.
Eight colours are available, three of which are metallic are costed options.
INTERIOR
Entry is relatively easy and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The steering wheel is height and reach adjustable and, even in the base level Pure, has leather wrapping as does the gear lever.
The dashboard isn’t as expansive as others in the segment but is well laid out with an8.8-inch screen embedded into the top of the dash. A big plus for us is the use of physical knobs for adjusting air conditioning and audio breaking away from the growing trend of locating these in the screen.
Pure and Evolve have black cloth seats, the others have two different grades of leather as well as an optional pure white. Pure has manual front seats, all others have 10-way powered adjustment for the driver.
Versatile storage includes a good-sized centre console, and a space below the fascia thanks to the uptake of an electric parking brake, plus big door bins.
In the back, CX-30 has good headroom but legroom for taller passenger could be a problem. The smallish centre-rear seat is not unusual in this size class in that it’s hampered for footroom by the central tunnel.
There are air vents and a fold-down centre armrest with twin drink holders.
Boot space is 317 litres with the rear seatbacks folded. A space-saver wheel is stored under the boot floor.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Two naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines are offered. The 2.0-litre Skyactive-G 2.0 generates 114 kW at 6000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4000 revs is available with all spec levels apart from the Touring SP.
Two variants, the Evolve G20e M and X20 Astina e-Skyactiv are mild hybrids and share the G 2.0 engine with a 24V lithium-ion battery.
The larger Skyactiv-G 2.5 engine has a 2.5-litre capacity with outputs of 139 kW at 6000 rpm and 252 Nm at 4000. Its available in the FWD or AWD Astina spec-level as well as Touring and Touring SP, AWD only.
The entry-level Pure is the only variant with a six-speed manual gearbox option. It and all others have a six-speed torque converter automatic.
INFOTAINMENT
The 8.8-inch centre screen – note that it’s not a touchscreen – in the CX-30 has sharp resolution and has the new Mazda Connect system controlled by a rotary dial and accompanying buttons, situated on the centre console. It’s large enough and within easy reach of the driver to minimise the amount of time taken away from looking at the road ahead.
The system engages Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth pairing and DAB+ digital radio.
All variants get satellite navigation.
There are two USB sockets in the centre storage box.
SAFETY
Mazda has a long-standing and admirable focus on safety and this continues in the CX-30 which achieved one of the highest ANCAP crash scores to date, with 99 per cent in adult occupant protection.
All variants come with a comprehensive list of safety features including seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking in both forward and reverse, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, reversing camera and an advanced speed assist system.
The higher-spec models add surround-view cameras, cruising and traffic support (traffic jam assist), front cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring and front parking sensors
DRIVING
The 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine misses the sharpness of the turbocharger that a number of its competitors provide. On the positive side, the six-speed automatic works smoothly with the power and torque available to it.
Mazda’s new-generation Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture contributes towards excellent ride quality and interior sound levels. Coarse-chip surfaces do increase noise levels although not to the same extent as others in this class.
Handling is accurate and the steering wheel provides the right amount of feedback.
Cornering is accurate enough, but this is not a sports sedan, and is certainly not planned to be one.
Fuel consumption on our test route sat in the nine to ten litres per hundred kilometres in suburban, motorway and rural segments. It dropped to just over the claimed 6.5 L/100km.
SUMMING UP
The CX-30 was the first Mazda model to adopt the two-digit suffix which was introduced to highlight the brand’s aim of pushing into the premium segment and competing against the big-name Europeans. It will be joined shortly by the all-new XC-60 and XC-90 larger SUVs.
The CX-30 is a pleasant car to ride in and to drive. It’s built to Mazda’s usual high quality with a semi-premium feel, neat styling and, though not the cheapest in its class, offers good value for money.
