Mazda is becoming known as the carmaker with the most crossover/SUVs on the market. There’s the CX-30, CX-30 Hybrid, CX-50, CX-50 Plug-In Hybrid, CX-70, CX-90, CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid and CX-5. And all of them are winners that cater to a wide variety of buyers ranging from singles to families, all of which have a variety of needs.
We were privileged to test the CX-30, a subcompact crossover that couples luxury accommodations and design with sporty performance characteristics that make it a fun to drive AWD crossover. It also comes with top 5-star government safety ratings.
CX-30 is offered in 2.5, 2.5S, Select Sport, 2.5 S. Preferred, 2.5S Carbon Edition, 2.5S Premium, 2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus and new Turbo Aire Edition we tested.
CX-30 has a handsome stance with smooth, slippery, aerodynamic, elegant styling lines with LED head and taillights. Its rear end has a sporty touch with large diameter tailpipe extensions and a liftgate that sports a slight spoiler look along with LED taillights.
Inside, CX-30’s cabin is workable in design with familiar, traditional controls and sumptuously padded heated/cooled front seats with synthetic suede inserts for a luxury look and feel. A heated steering wheel is standard. Front seats are nicely supportive and deeply padded.
Turbo Aire Edition came with a 10.25-inch infotainment display that is controlled by a rotary dial on the console. The display provides Bose audio, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa connectivity along with Mazda Connected services and a host of apps, plus it displays rear and front camera views. HVAC controls below the display are satisfyingly simple and easy to view and use.
Sharing the console with the 6-speed automatic transmission gear selector is a toggle drive mode switch for Sport and Normal modes. It’s flanked by a wireless phone charger.
Over on the gauge cluster, it has three large, easy to read instrumentation. It displays drive modes, alerts and functions.
CX-30’s rear seat is soft and supple but leg room is tight, especially if fronts are racked well rearward then its non-existent. Head room is fine except for tall passengers then it’s a head scratcher.
Back in the cargo area, it’s rated at 20 cu/ft with the rear seats upright that measures 31.5 inches deep, 40 wide and 30 high. If carrying a golf bag, or two, the rear seatbacks must be folded. When folded there’s 45 cu/ft of space with 60 inches of loading depth. The cargo area has a low 30-inch lift-over onto the cargo floor under which houses a space saver tire, jack and tools, but no room to stow small items.
CX-30 gets its potent power from a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates 227-hp and an impressive 310 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 22 city, 30-highway mpg. Performance is impressive as well, especially when the turbo kicks in. It’s a push-you-back-in-the-seat experience. There’s certainly no lack of passing power when overtaking 18-wheelers.
Handling is athletic in that is takes sharp hairpins like a sports car. And it stays planted throughout with Mazda’s G-Vectoring control and i-Active AWD system.
CX-30 rides quietly and smoothly on Bridgestone 18-inch tires. Its ride feels more like a larger crossover.
Price wise it’s a huge surprise in todays car market. With a standard feature like lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention alert (notifies driver is eyes are taken off the road ahead), rear cross traffic alert, smart reverse brake support (automatically applies brakes if a vehicle or pedestrian suddenly appears behind when backing), blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring, dynamic stability control and lots more, CX-30 Turbo Aire carries a base price a base price of $34,410. Add to that a cargo cover ($165), illuminated door plates ($575), ceramic metallic paint ($595) and a delivery charge of $1,495, and the bottom line reflected $37,240. An exceptionally affordable price for this much content enveloped in a fun to drive, AWD, potent crossover.
But that’s not all. CX-30 earned a full five-star government overall safety score, five stars for driver/passenger frontal crash, five stars for front/rear seat side crash and four stars for rollover. All exceptional scores that beckons competitive comparison.
CX-30 is an all-encompassing, affordable AWD crossover that makes a terrific commuter, college student, retiree and all-purpose family car. Take one for a test drive and you’ll agree.
