Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 – class, quality and understated style
Words by Mark Slack
Mazda are arguably a marque that operates below the automotive radar, with others often taking the spotlight, although the MX-5 is a model synonymous with the Japanese car maker. When I am asked, as motoring writers often are, about which cars someone should consider, there’s always a look of surprise when Mazda is mentioned. Which is a shame as Mazda have always been exceptionally well-built, a pleasure to drive and of a quality lacking in many rivals.
Their understated style may account for why they are not at the forefront of many people’s mind, it’s a brand that exemplifies the motto, ‘if you know, you know’. SUVs remain the flavour of the driving public’s attention and the CX30 is the focus of our attention in this review.
As with all Mazda models the CX30 is a quality build and there are five trim levels with prices starting from £27,300 for the lead-in Prime-Line version. Standard equipment on this entry to range includes air conditioning, power fold heated door mirrors, Bluetooth, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear parking sensors and camera, radar cruise control, auto lights and wipers and the usual array of ‘advanced driver assistance features’.
These are known by me as advanced driver annoyance systems such is the usual level of their interference and distraction to the driver. Some are very useful to be fair and do add to safety, but many have, in my view, more of a propensity to cause accidents than prevent them. Thankfully the sensible people at Mazda offer a one button solution that disables many of the features, much better than having to dive into numerous menus every time you start the car.
Two power options and either manual or automatic gears are on offer with the front wheel drive 140PS Skyactiv G 2.5-litre petrol unit or the 2.0-litre Skyactiv X petrol developing 186PS with the option of all-wheel-drive. A manual or automatic 6-speed transmission is available and both petrol engines come with mild hybrid assistance.
With a usefully intuitive rotary controller and buttons yet again the sensible people at Mazda have made the CX-30 a refreshing joy to the total touchscreen mania that has swept most of the car industry. It’s easy to operate functions, the switches and controls have an assured feel, and the interior as a whole is a very nice place to be on any journey. The notable quality puts many rivals to shame and it feels much more premium than the pricing suggests.
On the road the CX-30 is brisk without being overtly sporting, it handles extremely well and on a twisting cross-country route is surprisingly enjoyable for an SUV. It’s a refined and smooth drive too with lots of creature comforts.
It’s a classy looking car that lacks the in-your-face brutalism of so many designs. All-told the CX-30 should be your go-to-choice if you want class, quality and understated style at remarkably sensible money.
Words by Mark Slack
