MAZDA CX-30

WHEELS

Mazda has created an elevated experience for its new subcompact SUV.

Mazda has crossed a line with its new CX-30: a demarcation not in sand or SUV utility, but a reawakening of a supersized subcompact SUV crossover that has the horse-and-rider spirit of the brand’s MX-5 Miata roadster without the compromises of a high-riding vehicle.

The CX-30, today’s tester, and the new, redesigned Mazda3 sedan and hatchback are callouts to the brand’s seventh-generation drive toward premium — premium vehicles and premium dealership experiences to the refined touch points of vehicle interiors and fine-edge engineering under the skin.

Sizewise, the CX-30 slots between the subcompact CX-3 and the compact CX-5 and is marketed toward young drivers and couples starting a family.

Sold in four trim levels with front- or all-wheel drive, the CX-30 has starting prices that range from $22,995 to $30,700, including the $1,100 freight charge from Salamanca, Mexico.

The top-line Premium AWD tester, $32,145, was a convincing value, with options for Soul Red crystal metallic paint, $595; allweather floor mats, $125; navigation SD card, $450; and frameless auto-dim rearview mirror, $275.

All models have one powertrain of a 186-horsepower, direct-injection 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 186 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Premium model also gets cylinder deactivation, which stretches mileage by about 1 mpg on the recommended 87 octane fuel. The official mileage estimates for the Premium AWD are 25 mpg city, 32 highway and 27 mpg combined, versus 24/31/26 without cylinder deactivation. (Frontdrive models are rated 25/33/28 mpg.) The best I achieved was an average of 25.3 mpg, but my around-town mileage was consistently in the low-23s range.

Most competitors, such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Venue, Jeep Compass, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Nissan Rogue Sport, have similar fuel-economy estimates.

With a curb weight of 3,408 pounds, the CX-30 has good power to weight. It is not head-snapping acceleration and the power is thin for passing at highway speeds, but Sport mode fills the acceleration gap between fuel economy and fun.

But because the cabin is so well soundproofed, the moaning engine noise on acceleration was bothersome, mostly because it implies wimpiness not deserved for this car.

True to Mazda’s philosophy, the CX-30’S keen drivability shows the harmony of the hardware. With a well-engineered steelspring suspension, the CX-30 has an appetite for apex cornering.

Dive into a corner and there is no upsetting heave-ho as the suspension transitions the weight. The organically smooth electric steering and reassuring grip of four-wheeldisc braking have luxury-class refinement not expected of a mainstream subcompact.

There is nothing disruptive in the exterior styling, which is pleasing and balanced, and the basic shape of many small utes. The separator is inside, and how

Mazda expanded roominess to almost compact-class accommodations and the handcrafted appeal seen in the Premium model. The leather-trimmed upholstery is tender to the touch and beautifully stitched with a patina that will age handsomely.

The environment is lean, dark and determined with slender finesse more like a glossy Calvin Klein cologne advertisement than the common assembly-line coarseness of a commodity. There are layers of depth in the details, with subtle use of brushed chrome, soft-touch manmade materials and gloss-black or carbon trim elements.

Not necessarily suited for members of the big and tall club, the front-seat area feels open with 37.8 inches of headroom, with the sunroof.

Driver controls are refreshingly simple. The slim shelf of controls for heat-ac-fan seems almost oversimplified, but the design works well for aim-and-touch eyes-on-the-road adjustments. The 8.8-inch-wide top screen gives a broad view for navigation and vehicle info, but the rearview camera uses a smaller portion of the screen when wider would be better. And even a front view would be helpful, or at least parking alerts, to avoid poking the shark nose into whatever is ahead.

The CX-30’S subcompactness is felt in the back seat, but the doors open wide to aid access or to reach a child seat. The raised bench is comfortable — for smaller adults — with lots of footroom and a respectable 36.3 inches of max legroom. There are no charging ports, though a cable stretched from the USB in the front armrest box could suffice.

There’s a usable square of cargo space, 20.2 cubic feet, but fold the 60/40 seats for about 5.3 feet of length.

The CX-30 is a discriminating new entry that demonstrates the Mazda mantra of “why, how and what a vehicle should be.” Welcome to the seventh generation of Mazda and its reinvention.

MAZDA Sold in four trim levels with front- or all-wheel drive, the CX-30 has starting prices that range from $22,995 to $30,700.