Streamlined marvel of design that stirs up your emotions

WHEN beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you can be sure that the beholder has one discerning eye. And it caters to his own definition of beauty, of what is right. For instance, to a photographer, perspective is everything. That is, his own perspective and the emotions that he sees through the lens. In the same way that when you come across a car that feels like it was made for you, it is only you that can explain that undeniable connection. And with Mazda, connection is everything, as the brand has emphasized several times over — from its design philosophy to the meticulous streamlined detail that goes into every finished product.

But when we speak of beauty in the context of a car, it is an emotion that is felt, as much as it is seen. While jinba-ittai is mentioned repeatedly when it comes to Mazda, the case of the CX-30 is not simply about the driving experience. What is special about the CX-30 is that jinba-ittai extends to the entire vehicular experience.

That’s how it was when the car arrived in all its Soul Red Crystal glory. The CX30 was simply the most adorable thing to me. It looked petite, but not really; longish, but not so much, either. Unlike the previous generation Mazdas, its sloped front hood was not as long and imposing, and the line that connects its nose to the elegantly curved hatch had no edge. The KODO design philosophy also shined the brightest, seen particularly in the vehicle’s streamlined style that makes it one attractive crossover.

Sitting inside the cabin of the CX-30 was like fitting snugly into a cocoon. The CX-30 is decidedly smaller and is clearly

not made for everyone — no one above the average male, that is. The low ceiling of the cabin meant that the doorway is particularly low, requiring the driver or passenger to bend and slide into the seat. However, for the right person, once inside, the seats fit like a glove, carefully hugging its passengers in place. For functionality, the layout and size of the dashboard and panel is complementing to the driver, with the standard and pertinent controls positioned within easy reach. The new design of the 8.8-inch monitor display also means that it is within the eye-level of the driver and its matte finish prevents any kind of glare from bright sunlight.

What is consistent in every Mazda is its elegant interior. The CX-30’s cabin is finished in premium leather details, from the seats and upholstery, to the steering wheel wrap, to trim. This sophistication extends to its audio acoustics, with the 12-speaker

BOSE Premium Sound System, now a staple in most Mazda variants and offering uncompromising sound quality, in whatever form of media connectivity that you choose. A point of consideration is that there is still a wait time for when you turn on the unit and expect the system to detect your device right away. In spite of the Mazda Connect feature, I find myself having to manually reconnect my device each time.

Still, despite these small nuances, the overall experience with the CX-30 is consistently seamless. The connection was present from the first time I met the car in our driveway, to the multiple times that I sat in its cabin, and more so when we traveled through Manila on lockdown. As the driver, being solidly wrapped in the seat meant that I was not sliding around with every turn that I make and I was comfortably supported from my back, down to my legs.

With a 2.0L

SKYACTIV-G 4-cylinder six-speed engine under the hood, the CX-30 offered a smooth and peppy driving experience that could only be appreciated on a long, continuous drive. Being positioned lower near the ground meant that you could feel more of the unevenness of the road. However, it redeems itself with a steady suspension, allowing you to go over speed bumps without experiencing too much bounce and roll. This, together with the brand’s attention to detail, make the CX-30 a car that can be taken as a daily workhorse and also as a weekender.

Choosing the right — or, best — car for you should start with how it resonates from the get-go. Knowing that you will be spending nearly half your day on the road means that it is not enough for it to have a pretty face, but it should also carry with it an entire package. The Mazda CX-30 gave me just that kind of experience. It is not perfect; in fact, I find it quite small for a crossover and would not be able to accommodate anyone taller than the average Filipino male. I also do not appreciate having to reconnect my device every single time I get into the car. But the pros outweigh the cons and I can say that the overall beauty of the CX-30 comes in how its size, functionality, and drive complement my needs and my style.