2020 Mazda CX-30 compact crossover fits in just right
How does Mazda do it?
Once more, the little car company that can from Hiroshima, Japan, has delivered a svelte little automotive bonbon sure to win the hearts of automotive enthusiasts and design junkies. Dubbed the CX-30, it’s larger and rides higher than the CX-3, but is smaller than the CX-5. You’d think they’d call it the CX-4, but another Mazda with that name already exists, albeit overseas.
Of course, they could have called it Goldilocks, for this compact crossover is the perfect size for city/suburban commuting warfare, with a starting price of just $21,900 for the base front-wheeldrive model. But wait, it gets better. There’s plenty of goodness for that low, low price, including automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, remote keyless entry with push-button start, power windows and door locks, eightspeaker sound system with Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, HD Radio, Pandora integration, and two USB ports. There are also the sort of standard driver-assistance features you’d be surprised to find at this price, such as electronic brakeforce distribution with brake-assist, driver attention alert, stability control, traction control, lane departure warning system with lanekeep assist, and radar cruise control. Yes, it has a rearview camera, but that’s now a federal requirement, as is the tire-monitoring system.
If your new CX-30 just has to have Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leatherwrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leatherette seats or rear air-conditioning vents, you’ll have to add the Select Package. And it gets nicer from there thanks to the Preferred Package (eight-way driver power seat with power lumber support and driver seat memory, heated front seats, overhead console with sunglass holder, Bose premium audio with 12 speakers and SiriusXM satellite radio and vanity mirror illumination among other features) or the Premium Package (head-up display, adaptive front lighting, cylinder deactivation, led lights, leather seats, paddle shifters, power liftgate, radar cruise control, power sliding-glass moonroof and roof rails).
Controls are easy to understand and operate, with the exception of Mazda’s infotainment system. The sleek graphics and crisp display are easy to see, and operate using a knob mounted on the center console. But it takes far too many hits and scrolls to do something simple, like change a radio station, especially while driving.
Nevertheless, all in you’ll come in around $30,000 — not bad for so much premium content. But this isn’t some basic bargain; it’s a Mazda. So there are certain things that you can expect: namely good performance and respectable fuel economy.
Unlike its competition, Mazda engineers wisely bypassed using a turbocharged engine. Instead they endow the CX-30 with a 2.5-liter four rated 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. There’s good power once at speed; it feels punchy enough to deal with the cut and thrust of daily commuting, particularly in Sport mode, although you have to mash the throttle for strong sprints off the line. But that’s easily overlooked thanks to the CX-30’s agility. Grip is impressive, and body lean very well controlled. Steering is nicely weighted without feeling heavy or artificial. Ride is firm and jiggly over bumps, but quiet and subdued otherwise. It makes for an engagingly fun drive.