The 80’s introduced the Hot Hatchback, the 90’s welcomed the People Carrier, the 00’s saw an explosion of City Cars. In the twenteen’s, buyers fell in love with the crossover SUV, and that craze continues.
When Mazda announced a new SUV for the European market, bigger than the CX-3 and smaller than the CX-5, you would be forgiven for expecting the CX-4. However, that name is already taken – by a car built exclusively for the Chinese market.
Without further ado, I introduce the Mazda CX-30. And it. Is. Beautiful.
Based on the architecture of the award-winning all-new Mazda 3, the CX-30 uses many of the same core components. The CX-30 is fractionally shorter, and as expected with an SUV, sits significantly higher, with a comfortable upright seating position.
Mazda are on their self-proclaimed; “Road To Premium”. Their new products are no longer aimed at turning heads from customers of Ford and Toyota, but offering an alternative to German giants; Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz – And they do it well, but for significantly less.
Looks
Based on aesthetics alone, you can see how. The approach is distinctly Asian design house, but with the stereotypical big front grille that is popular with its new European target audience. The lines are characteristically Mazda, flowing from their KODO school of design.
The new Mazda 3, and now the Mazda CX-30, have taken ques from IKEA-esque Scandinavian simplicity. Gone are the individual fog lights, the pseudo-sporty plastic grilles, and the Shark fin antenna from the roof. The CX-30 imitates the Mazda 3’s stunning sleek design, pumps up the height and seating position, and adds a practical SUV ruggedness.
Interior
If you thought the exterior was eye-catching, the interior of the Mazda CX-30 is one of the best cabins in its class. Arguably, the best cabin in any class. Interiors have been an area that Mazda has excelled at for years.
The seats are comfortable and supportive, the materials feel high grade, the touchscreen is easy to use, and the lines flow perfectly. It’s simply a nice place to be.
Mazda believe in cabins being “driver-centric”. And as soon as you take a seat, you’ll see what they mean. The cabin has been created around the driver, ensuring every journey is comfortable. Words like “awkward” or “uncomfortable”, simply don’t exist in the CX-30’s vocabulary.
Secondly, the touchscreen doesn’t need to be a touchscreen – which in my opinion is great. Mazda continue to use the MZD dial, next to the gearbox. This feels much more up-market than prodding at a display, it becomes intuitive almost immediately, and it also means you’ll never get sticky fingerprints all over your shiny new screen.
The software works perfectly. Using the MZD dial, it flows easily from page to page, and the dashboards seamless flowing lines owe a nod of thanks to this display. All the buttons for the CX-30’s high-tech features are on ‘settings’ pages for when they’re needed, and hidden for when they’re not.
Engines
This is where it gets interesting.
Mazda have been bucking the trend for years. While other brands like VW and Ford have been putting tiny 1.0 turbo charged engines into larger and larger vehicles, Mazda have fitted a choice of two efficient 2.0 petrol engines – more on that in a moment.
First let’s answer that question; “if everyone else is doing it, why don’t Mazda?” Well, in laboratory conditions small turbo petrol engines make sense. However, they are never as efficient on the road. It’s the equivalent of putting a plaster over the emissions problem and hoping it will go away. Instead, Mazda introduced us to ‘SkyActiv’ technology, a new design philosophy. In layman’s terms, by improving every facet of the car in order to improve quality and economy. Rather than a small turbo engine having to work hard under strain, and pouring away petrol, the larger Mazda engine is unstressed, and therefore, refined. Not only is it quieter than its three-cylinder turbo charged competitors, but Mazda believe it will have a longer life.
Now, back to the other question; “Why two 2.0 petrol engines?”. Along with Mazda’s most popular engine, the ‘SkyActiv-G’ 2.0 petrol, Mazda have introduced a brand-new engine: the ‘SkyActive-X’ 2.0 Petrol.
The difference: ‘Spark Controlled Compression Ignition’. This is something other companies have tried time-and-time again and failed. I could write at length about how it works, but I’d only bore or bewilder most readers. What it means to you, the driver, is that the ‘SkyActiv-X’ engine offers the free-revving power and refinement of a petrol, with the improved economy and reduced CO2 emissions of a diesel. Which also means lower Benefit-In-Kind tax for company car drivers.
‘SkyActiv-G’ 2.0 Petrol Mild-Hybrid: 120 BHP / 45.6 MPG (WLTP)
‘SkyActiv-X’ 2.0 Petrol Mild Hybrid: 180 BHP / 47.9 MPG (WLTP)
The Competition
It would be easy to compare the CX-30 with Crossovers & SUV’s from other brands; Audi’s Q3 (from £31,295) or the BMW X2 (From £29,725), but it simply isn’t a fair comparison. The Mazda is a fraction of the price (‘SEL’ from £22,895).
What you are getting is similar quality, but for a car that shares a similar price to its alternatively branded cousins in the everyman category; VW’s T-Roc, Kia’s XCeed, and Honda’s H-RV.
Nowadays, only a handful of customers walk into a showroom and buy a new car with cash, so talking about ‘price’ feels redundant. Really, we should be talking about cost. The new Mazda CX-30 is available with a £3,000 Scrappage Scheme for your old car, as well as finance offers on PCP, HP, or Lease.
Needless to say, a car that looks as good as this has desirability, and therefore holds a strong residual value. What this means to you, the buyer, is that you could have a car of this quality for significantly less a month than something that loses more of its value. It is also worth noting, that although the cleaner and more powerful new ‘SkyActiv-X’ Mild-Hybrid engine adds almost £1,500 to the retail price, it adds only £2 a month to the cost a lease.
Business User
The old saying goes; “You only get one chance to make a good first impression”, and in the Mazda CX-30, you’ll be making all the right impressions. This is a car as at home in the company car park as it is on country lanes and motorways – it’s every car to everyone. So much so, that the under pinning will be used to make Mazda’s first full-electric later in 2020.
However, where the CX-30 still triumphs, is the range. While many are looking at the changes to company car tax, and considering electric, and compromising on range and local charging points, the CX-30 keeps things simple; great looks, high tech, and efficient engines.
Our advice is to pick the new ‘SkyActiv-X’ Mild-Hybrid engine, and fund with a lease. The difference in monthly cost is next to nothing, but with better MPG, reduced CO2, and importantly lower BIK tax.
Island User
Mazda has always prided themselves on the way their cars drive. Ask any owners, and they would argue that Mazda’s feature one of the best gearboxes on the market. The drive is unbelievably refined, and it hugs the roads like it is riding on rails. Compared to its nearest rivals, you can feel Mazda’s “Road To Premium” in every surface of the interior.
The new Mazda did exactly what it intended to do with the CX-30. It’s larger and more spacious than the CX-3 it replaced, and easier to live with than the flagship CX-5. The shorter length makes it the ideal choice on the Island’s country roads for young families, and also for those business users that want to make a good impression during the week, but abscond to the beach for surfing or Welsh mountains for cycling at the weekend.
The elegant ‘SkyActiv-G’ is precise and poised, perfect for mainly Island drivers. But, for those that cruise the motorways more frequently, the extra power of the new ‘SkyActiv-X’ might give you the little extra that you are looking for.
Choices
• The Value Choice: Mazda CX-30 ‘SEL’ 2.0 SkyActiv-G 2.0 Manual Mild-Hybrid
• The Range Topper: Mazda CX-30 ‘GT Sport Tech’ SkyActiv-X 2.0 Automatic Mild-Hybrid All-Wheel Drive
• The Local Favourite: Mazda CX-30 ‘Sport Lux’ 2.0 SkyActiv-G Manual Mild-Hybrid
Verdict
Every brand worth its salt has at least one Crossover or SUV. Mazda have proven time after time – with the CX-3, CX-5, and now the CX-30 – that they know what driver’s want. The Mazda CX-30 is smooth, refined, and its striking looks set it apart from the competition. Customers putting the CX-30 against the well-known European equivalents are going to be wonder what the extra money is being spent on – Personally, we think Mazda’s “Road To Premium” will have more expensive brands worried.
Review by Richard Winter
what is the point can not drive anywhere
Lockdown BS
What is the point canot drive anywhere
lockdown BS