Mazda CX-30 SUV: New stylish, driver-focused baby SUV
Mazda has launched its newest SUV. The new high-rider is based on the super popular Mazda3 hatch and provides buyers an alternative to the bigger CX-5.
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Mazda is sure people will grasp that the new Mazda CX-30 sits between its popular CX-3 and CX-5 crossovers.
Yes, CX-4 would have been the ideal name. But it’s reserved for a coupe-like model already sold in China. Besides, comprehending new cars is not rocket surgery.
“Customers and dealers will just get on with it,” says Mazda marketing boss Alastair Doak. “We need to establish it’s a new nameplate, absolutely, and we need to tell that story, and where it fits in our range.”
And the brand won’t hold back doing so — this is an important car, given its sliding sales.
The accomplished but expensive new Mazda3 is in decline as part of what Doak describes as “a natural move from that type of vehicle to this type of vehicle”, that is, away from hatchbacks and toward compact five-seat SUVs preferred by couples and young families.
Priced from $29,990 plus on-roads — about $33,800 drive-away, or roughly $3500 more than the Mazda3 — the CX-30 comes with two engines and in five grades.
Buyers can choose between a “G20” 2.0-litre four-cylinder (114kW/200Nm) or, for an extra $1500 on high-spec Touring and Astina grades, the more potent “G25” 2.5-litre (139kW/252Nm).
Each drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission (unusually for a small Mazda, there is no manual option). All-wheel drive is a $2000 option restricted to 2.5s.
The cheapest version is the G20 Pure with 16-inch alloys, seven-inch digital dashboard readout, smart keys, head-up display and more. Realistically, it’s all the car you need.
Infotainment is taken care of via an 8.8-inch widescreen display with satnav, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and reversing camera. As in the Mazda3, there is a physical control unit near the gear selector instead of a touchscreen interface.
Mazda reckons this access solution is safer than requiring drivers to prod at tablet-like displays, it is somewhat less than intuitive.
Drivers sit slightly higher than in the Mazda3, thanks in part to the CX-30’s extra 25mm of ride height. Minor interior design differences on the dashboard and centre armrest separate the SUV from its hatchback cousin.
More significant is the change in the country of origin — Japanese Mazda3 models feel a little better put together than the Thai-built CX-30s, some of which exhibited a rattle or two in our test loop.
But the CX-30 scores points with a better-sorted rear seat, with far better outward vision thanks to larger windows. Rear legroom might be tighter than the hatchback, as the CX-30 has a shorter wheelbase, but it evens the ledger with a slightly bigger boot.
In all versions, the five-star safety rating is underpinned by seven airbags and a good suite of driver aids including autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, speed sign recognition and auto rear braking.
Impressively, the CX-30 received the highest rating to date for occupant protection, returning a 99 per cent score in the latest round of ANCAP testing.
Most grades are available with a $1500 vision technology pack including a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, front cross traffic alert, driver monitoring and cruising and traffic support, which amounts to a low-speed driver assistance mode.
For $2500 more than the Pure, next-step-up Evolve versions come with 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control and other niceties.
At a $5000 premium on the base car, the Touring brings leather seats with front power adjustment, front parking sensors and more.
Range-topping Astinas add $9000 to the Pure, scoring adaptive LED lights, 12-speaker audio, the option of black or white leather and the vision technology pack.
Add $4500 for AWD and the bigger engine.
All-wheel drive versions were not available at the model’s launch in Victoria, which isn’t a huge deal as Mazda expects more than 90 per cent of buyers to take home a front-driver. Similarly, just one in four is expected to go for the 2.5-litre engine and more than three-quarters will buy cars with the larger wheels.
So we focused on 2.0-litre front-drivers with 18-inch alloys. Our initial impression of the CX-30 in Europe was that its suspension was “quite firm” on smooth German roads. That would be a generous assessment of its attributes on local turf, where the CX-30’s tall and taut springs result in a noticeably bumpy ride.
Another tricky point is the firm and wooden-feeling brake pedal.
Beyond that, the CX-30 experience is similar to a Mazda3. You get quick and accurate steering, good body control and truly impressive road noise suppression. It’s sharp to drive, with better reflexes than most cars in its class.
The SUV is 70kg-135kg heavier than the hatch, blunting the less-than-muscular performance of the non-turbo engines, which are vocal when pushed. The six-speed auto is one of the best in the class.
Verdict 3.5/5
The CX-30 builds on the impressive Mazda3, resulting in a stylish, well-appointed and driver-focused baby SUV.
Mazda CX-30 vitals
Price: From about $33,800 drive-away
Warranty/servicing: 5 years/unlimited km, $1635 for 5 years
Safety: 5 stars, 7 airbags, AEB, active cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and auto braking, traffic sign recognition
Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/200Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 139kW/252Nm
Thirst: 6.5L-6.8L/100km
Boot: 317L
Spare: Temporary
At your service
Mazda says it will improve customer service in 2020. Its new parts distribution centre aims to speed delivery of spares and expedited service arrangements will allow customers at some dealerships to pick up their car an hour after dropping it off for no more than the usual capped prices. Mechanics will upload short videos of work completed. Mazda is adamant it does not need to extend service intervals from the current 10,000km to the industry’s 15,000km standard. Mazda’s finance arm will set guaranteed future values.
Originally published as Mazda CX-30 SUV: New stylish, driver-focused baby SUV
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