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Mazda CX-30 | Test Drive
Words by Carlo Brema / Photos by Daniél Rikkard
It is too easy to identify the Mazda brand with just its legendary workhorse, despite the fact that the MX-5 is actually anything but something to be taken for granted, managing – at the dawn of 2020 – to keep intact that analog driving pleasure that is rare stuff, regardless of the cavalry you may prefer under the hood. Today we are not here to talk about the most loved almond eyes two-seater in the world, but because once again the Japanese company has come out with something that is able to bring plenty of taste and personality in a segment – that of the crossovers – mostly prerogative of models that in most cases are not ashamed to hide behind the practicality they must offer to the most traditional of the families. That’s right, but the traditional family that might find the CX-30 interesting, what is going to find here then?
The new Mazda model is stylistically based on the equally new 3 sedan and although it can confuse the ideas making you ponder for days on its positioning between the CX-3 and the CX-5, it is a multifaceted car distinguishable thanks to the plastic bands around the lower part of the body, in addition of course to the thinnest headlights compared to the two aforementioned SUVs. But in reality there is much more, in fact we do not stop only at a more refined exterior appearance and particularly oriented towards the future of an increasingly personal design compared to its competitors, because the CX-30 is surprising even when you jump on board. Of course, it is a crossover and therefore we have a higher ground clearance than for example that of a hatchback, but the CX-30 really seems sewn on and if you add to this the fact of being able to choose from the numerous configurations available, finding the right one for your needs will be a piece of cake. And yes it’s like a velvet glove from the first moment you start crunching miles at the wheel.
First of all you can choose between a diesel engine or the new hybrid petrol units. Traction can be on both axles, or only at front and finally with manual or automatic transmission. Then we have four different specs called Evolve, Executive, Exceed and Exclusive, each of which provides and adds those options that enrich the final model, going from an extremely affordable price like the starting one, set at € 24,750 to more demanding figures. The belt line and the reduced glass surfaces offer an attractive appearance also in the side portion of the car, but it is undoubtedly the front that also makes it beautiful to look at, thanks to the distinctive design of the very thin headlights that incorporate the chromed profile surrounding the huge shark-like mouth. In addition to such a sporty look, the overall shape of the car is uniformly resumed also at the back, where you surprisingly find two rounded tailpipes.
There is room for five people on board, the luggage compartment is generous and the dashboard demonstrates how its minimalistic sobriety is able to accentuate the room in the passenger compartment and at the same time make it a more than pleasant environment in which spending some time. Except for the air vents, which occasionally do not point exactly where you would like due to their small size, we find an 8.8” display that can be controlled by the traditional wheel located on the gearbox tunnel, in our case a 6-speed manual . Sat-nav is fast and accurate, connectivity with your smartphone is flawless and despite the display itself prefers a horizontal development, it is clearly visible even while the car is moving.
Once we have quickly reviewed all the aspects that make the CX-30 interesting as an object to look at, there is nothing left to do but verify how pleasant it is to drive and useful in a world where crossovers are increasingly common and preferred compared to more bulky and expensive SUVs. The one of our test is powered by a 2-liter in-line 4-cylinder, a mild-hybrid with Skyactiv-X technology (i.e. by candle-controlled compression ignition) which in addition to deactivating two of the four cylinders for decreasing emissions and reducing fuel consumption, uses a small electric motor charged during specific driving situations, allowing you to store enough energy to provide support to the combustion engine. The 180 horsepower makes this CX-30 pretty vivid, but it is natural that the ideal driving is that of a relaxed kind, making use of the 224 Nm of torque that will move the almost 1,500 kg of the CX-30 with ease in the urban environment, as on b-roads. In this regard, the brand declares a fuel consumption of 4.6 l/100 km in the mixed cycle, all in all veritable figures as long as you use a light right foot.
Having said that, I was able to enjoy kilometers of driving in the maximum comfort of one of the best cockpits you can find in the segment, thanks to a model that managed to draw a pleased smile on me every morning I found it in my garage. The CX-30 is yet another Mazda showdown, a demonstration that excellent cars can be made even where certain aspects such as a beautiful exterior line (and a beautiful interior) could easily be overlooked in favor of purely more functional aspects. It could have been a normal household appliance on wheels, it would have satisfied us with its innovative engine, but since good blood doesn’t lie, its majesty MX-5’s latest cousin has shown that even the most demanding and passionate motorists can like it. Taking a last look at the price list, a CX-30 calls into question just over 24 thousand Euros (122 hp hybrid petrol), while with just a thousand Euros more you can move on to the next step with 150 hp or to the entry level diesel. The 180 hp starts at € 29,350 and can reach 40 thousand Euros by ticking all the possible boxes during configuration. That of our test, which just gives up the automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, certainly less relevant than having the extra horses, costs around € 35,000 and stands as the one that best represents a grandiose model in every single aspect.
MAZDA CX-30 2.0L 180CV SKYACTIV-X M HYBRID EXCLUSIVE
Layout – front-engined, front wheel drive
Engine – 4 cylinder 1.998cc
Transmission – 6-speed manual gearbox
Power – 180 hp @ 6.000 rpm
224 Nm @ 3.000 rpm
Weight – 1.443 kg ca.
Acceleration – 8,5 sec.
Top speed – 204 kph
Price – from € 24.750 (from €34.950 as tested)
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