THE MIDDLE GROUND!

MAZDA’S NEW SUV SITS BETWEEN ITS POPULAR LARGER AND SMALLER MODELS, REPORTS EDWARD STEPHENS

GIVEN the success of both its large and small SUV models in the UK it’s hardly surprising that Mazda opted to stay with a very similar design for a new car which fits between the two. So while the CX-32 is a very different car in many ways to its bigger brother the CX-5 and its smaller sibling the CX-3 there’s no disguising the visual relationship.

Each of the CX triplets, however, fulfil the needs of motorists looking for very different products while at the same time boasting features and driving dynamics which enable them to challenge the premier German brands.

The CX-30 is some four inches longer than the CX-3, ensuring there is generous leg and shoulder room for £27,340

180bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via six speed manual gearbox. 127 mph 8.5 secs

47.9

22E

133 g/km

3 years/60,000 miles passengers.

At the same time, however, its coupe-like lines make sure that its silhouette is eye catching and appealing. By cleverly adding body cladding to the lower half of the car Mazda has ensured it still has the appeal of an SUV, but not in an overstated way. Deeply tinted side and rear privacy glass and a gloss black grille and roof spoiler add to the car’s kerb appeal.

The interior is practical yet supremely classy with a nice blend of navy blue and black trim on the dashboard and doors.

The six-speed manual gearbox comes with a nice stubby gear shift allowing slick and easy changes while the controls for the centre-set touchscreen are just millimetres away from it so you don’t need to take your eyes off the road to use them.

And while all the dials are crisp and easy to read this model comes with the added bonus of a head up display so you always know what speed you are doing.

There’s an electric handbrake but thankfully the car also comes with a hill holder clutch, not to mention keyless locking and unlocking and a push button starter.

Opt for the Sport Lux model and you get features like heated front seats, powered rear tailgate and a reversing camera, while the car driven here also had a tilt and slide glass sunroof.

From the driver’s seat the CX-30 offers excellent all round visibility thanks in part to the cleverly shaped A and C pillars.

And when it comes to luggage there’s a generous 430 litres available beneath the tailgate and a useful threesection folding boot floor which allows you to accommodate shopping without it sliding about.

Sensibly, the loading lip is also at a low level, allowing easy loading of heavy items. On the road the CX-30 with its 180bhp SkyActive-X engine is smooth, quiet and corners impressively well with very little body roll and I liked the way it cocoons passengers at motorway speeds with minimal noise levels.

And when night falls the literally brilliant adaptive LED headlights ensure you don’t have problems even on the darkest of roads.

The Mazda CX-30 is a comprehensively equipped and appealing alternative to SUV models from both mainstream manufacturers and premium brands and is well worth a test drive.

Blue sweeping staircase makes a dramatic feature