The proliferation of crossovers and SUVs led to the arrival of the CX-30 at Mazda. On the basis of this test, we will explain exactly where to place the newcomer.
Look at the average range from a volume manufacturer from five years ago and you are now seeing a proliferation of tall models. Mazda bravely participates in the growing demand for those models and found a niche between the CX-3, a compact crossover based on the Mazda 2, and the large CX-5. The latter is based on the Mazda 3, but is so large that there was room for another model between the CX-3 and the CX-5. So that became the CX-30.
The CX-30 has a styling that fits neatly within the Mazda range. The headlights look a bit mean in the world, the grille yawns like a huge mouth in between and the nose has curves. You can’t call it aggressive, but cheeky. On the side, the spacious on the underside of the doors and along the wheel arches plastic sheeting. It should increase the distinction with the Mazda 3 and make it clear that the CX-30 is a high entry crossover with no hatchback. In the entry-level version of the CX-30, there is a 122 hp petrol engine under the hood, an atmospheric two-liter coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox.
You can see in the front that the CX-30 is closely related to the 3. The dashboard appears to be one to one from the previously launched latest version, which means that the crossover received a high-quality interior. Not only the finish is on a high level, the operation is also an example of how it should be in every car. Remarkably, Mazda does not follow the trend of ever larger screens with touch function. Where the current Mazda 2, CX-3, CX-5 and 6 still have a system that only works as a touchscreen when the car is stationary, the 3 and CX-30 even have to do without that function. You can operate the wide screen, which is half integrated into the dashboard, with a central rotary knob positioned on the center console. It works well and is reminiscent of the way the interface works in BMWs. A head-up display is standard equipment on every CX-30, and the important information is actually projected into the windshield, not on a flip-up screen between the windshield and the instrument cluster. Graphically it looks good. This also applies to the on-board computer on the central screen, where a lot of attention has been paid to the display details. Also remarkable: if the air conditioning is not on, you really have to set the temperature in the car much lower than you are used to. The entry of the CX-30 may be a bit higher, but you are still low in relation to the car bottom to involve the driver as much as possible in driving.
The CX30 with SkyActiv-X petrol engine was not yet available in this test, which is why the car enters here with the entry-level petrol engine, the familiar SkyActiv-G without compression ignition. A machine that we know through and through and that runs very neatly, but does not excel in torque at the bottom. Economical driving is possible, but then you have to settle for a very tame character. The best drivetrain is if you shift up between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm. Shifting feels great thanks to the precise, short strokes of the poker. The consumption of 1 to 15.4 is allowed.
Every Mazda involves you in driving, including this CX-30. The steering offers a lot of feeling, the car responds directly to the
movements of the handlebars, the nose quickly looks up the inside of the bend and the rear settles so that cornering can be experienced as a party. Sometimes you also get too much from driving. On certain pieces of asphalt there is a slight dribble in the damping and you think as a driver to drive over a white line, while that is not the case, otherwise the lane assistance would have intervened. The standard adaptive cruise control works better in combination with a manual gearbox, which seems strange in itself, because keeping a distance with an automatic transmission makes more sense, but we previously tested a Mazda 3 with automatic transmission and adaptive cruise control in which we got the impression that the gearbox was heavy may frighten activation of the drive. Just order a Mazda with manual gearbox is our motto!
Mazda asks a hefty amount for the CX-30, but if you look at what’s on and on, it’s not that bad. Standard 16-inch alloy, cruise control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and rear parking sensors, for example. The test car has it
Comfort package with 18-inch and leather upholstery, including seat heating and steering wheel heating on board. Then the car is already very complete.