Mazda's compact CX-30 SUV is an under-rated small crossover. Jonathan Crouch reports on the latest version.

Ten Second Review

Mazda's third compact SUV is this car, the CX-30. It borrows its engineering from the Mazda3 hatch, but clothes it with the trendier SUV body styling that family buyers now increasingly want. Consider it carefully if you're not fussed about having a premium badge, like the idea of eye-catching looks and cutting-edge engineering and find yourself interested in trendy segment contenders like Toyota's C-HR and Ford's Puma.

Background

Really, this car - launched back in 2020 - ought to be called the 'CX-4'. It does, after all, sit between just above the old CX-3 (no longer on sale in our market) and just below the CX-5 in Mazda's SUV line-up. Unfortunately for European zone continuity though, the 'CX-4' badge already exists in the Chinese market, where it's applied to quite a different car, so the model we're going to look at here has adopted a 'CX-30' moniker. Glad we got that cleared up. Basically what we've got here is a Crossover version of the Mazda3 family hatch - no bad thing; that's the sort of product the market wants. It features the second chapter of the brand's 'KODO' design language and a clever Skyactiv-X petrol engine we really liked when we tried it in the Mazda3. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience

Mazda is offering a choice of two engines to CX-30 buyers, both petrol-powered and both borrowed from the Mazda3 hatch. The base unit is now a 140PS 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol powerplant (a mild hybrid). Compared to the previous 122PS 2.0-litre unit it replaces, this larger-capacity powerplant increases torque from 213Nm to 238Nm, so there should be a noticeable improvement in real-world performance. We'd suggest though, that you try and stretch to the alternative engine, the brand's more advanced Skyactiv-X Spark Controlled Compression Ignition engine, a 180PS supercharged unit which runs on petrol but uses a combination of spark ignition and compression ignition to deliver, Mazda claims, the driver appeal of a petrol unit along with the fuel efficiency and torque of a diesel. This Skyactiv-X powerplant is able to switch from compression ignition, which best suits day-to-day driving, to a form of spark ignition, generally when the engine is started from cold or the driver demands maximum power at high revs. The 'X' engine comes paired with front wheel drive or four wheel drive and either way, there's the choice of manual or automatic transmission. Mazda isn't bothering to offer the diesel powerplant that's available on this car in other markets. The drive dynamics aren't very different from those of the Mazda3 hatch, which means that they're very good indeed. It also means that this car gets the slickest-shifting manual gearbox you can have in the compact SUV segment. With both engines, there's the option of auto transmission.

Design and Build

Mazda reckons that the CX-30 combining the bold stance of an SUV with the sleek profile of a coupe, styling that's supposed to be a sophisticated evolution of the brand's KODO design philosophy. Looks are certainly one reason why you might want to consider this car. The other reason you might want to consider this model would be if you liked the Mazda3 hatch but found it lacking in terms of rear seat space and luggage room. The CX-30 certainly does better than its showroom sibling in these two regards, though legroom in the back still isn't what you'd call generous. Headspace in the rear is quite good, but the D-pillar is substantial, which darkens the interior rear half of the car quite a lot. The 430-litre boot is a big improvement on the limited trunk you get in the Mazda3, a substantial 135-litres bigger. Mind you, it's still quite a bit smaller than the space you'd get in something like a comparably-priced BMW X1. As in the Mazda3, the front-of-cabin experience is impressive, with a digital instrument cluster display and a big, clear 8.8-inch screen on top of the dash nicely angled towards the driver. And there's a lower rotary controller for it so you don't have to stab away at inexact touchscreen functionality in the kind of way that's necessary with many rival set-ups.

Market and Model

CX-30 prices sit in the £25,000-£37,000 bracket, spread across five trim levels, 'Prime-Line', 'Centre-Line', 'Homura', 'Exclusive-Line' and 'Takumi'. Every version features a colour windscreen projecting head-up display, radar cruise control and LED headlights. With a choice of eight exterior colours, 'Prime-Line' and 'Centre-Line' cars feature 16-inch grey metallic wheels, while from 'Homura'-spec onwards, 18-inch wheels are standard. Inside, premium dark grey cloth with navy blue accents is standard, as is a 7-inch TFT instrument display. So is an 8.8-inch central infotainment screen incorporating Navigation, an 8-speaker DAB audio system and 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. There's also radar cruise control, Smart Brake Support autonomous braking and Intelligent Speed Assist, which can adapt your velocity according to posted speed limits. 'Takumi' models feature black leather seat trim with rich brown accents. From 'Exclusive-Line' upwards, there's a 12-speaker Bose surround set-up. And 'Takumi'-spec gets you a 360-degree View Monitor camera system.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the figures. The base petrol Skyactiv-G engine manages 47.9mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and 134g/km of CO2. Or 44.1mpg and 143g/km as an auto. We'd recommend you try and stretch to the more powerful but, conversely, more economic Skyactiv-X petrol unit, which in 2WD form improves that showing to 50.4mpg and 127g/km as a manual or 46.3mpg and 137g/km as an auto. This same Skyactiv-X petrol engine also comes with AWD. In this guise, it manages 46.3mpg and 137g/km as a manual or 42.8mpg and 149g/km as an auto. We should also mention the warranty, the usual unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile package. If you want to extend that, you can do so via optional 'Essential', 'Elite' and 'Complete' plans. Included in the standard package is a three year paintwork warranty and 12 years of anti-perforation cover. In addition, there's a 'Mazda Accident Aftercare' scheme which sees the company liaise with your insurer after an accident, making sure that you have access to a courtesy car if you need one and ensuring that all repairs are carried out to full Mazda standards.

Summary

The CX-30 continues to make a reasonable case for itself in an increasingly crowded segment. It lacks a premium badge on the bonnet of course, but then it also lacks the kind of inflated prices you'd pay from premium brand contenders in this market space. Plus under the bonnet of a Skyactiv-X variant, there's arguably the cleverest petrol engine you can have in the compact SUV segment, delivering an enticing combination of very sprightly performance and diesel-like economy. Yes, there are more practical choices in this market segment. And arguably, there are also more fashionably-styled ones. But our overall impression of the CX-30 is of a very complete and thoughtfully-positioned package. Add it to your lengthening shopping list if you're in search of a car of this kind.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Privacy glass (rear side windows and rear screen)

Rain sensing front wipers with adjustable speed and intermittent wipe

Electric front/rear windows with one touch auto up/down

Brakes

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Hill launch assist

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

G-Vectoring control plus

Electronic parking brake with auto disengage function and auto hold function

Front smart city brake support

Mild Hybrid system with regenerative braking

Traction control system (TCS)

Communication

E-call with GPS

Integrated bluetooth

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Qi wireless charging

Integrated Alexa Voice Assistant

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Reversing camera

Front and rear parking sensors

Emergency stop signalling system

Drive mode selector

Traffic sign recognition

Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert

Intelligent speed assist

Driver attention alert system

Lane keep assist system (LAS) with Lane departure warning system (LDWS)

Adaptive cruise control (Mazda radar cruise control) features stop and go

Driver Convenience

Tailgate

Engine start/stop button

Power lift gate

Driver Information

Trip computer

Service indicator

7" TFT Colour driver instrument panel display

Integrated Mazda navigation system

10.25" display with Mazda Connect infotainment

Mazda connected services

Windscreen projected colour active driving display (HUD)

Driving Mirrors

Auto dimming driver's door mirror

Frameless auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Body coloured, electrically adjustable, heated auto power folding door mirrors with integrated indicators

Engine

i-stop

Entertainment

AM/FM and DAB radio

Steering wheel mounted audio/bluetooth controls

Multimedia Commander including separate volume dial

Bose surround sound system with 12 Speaker, Bose center point, Bass match and audio pilot technology

2 x USB Type-C inputs

Exterior Body Features

Power tilt/slide sunroof

Gloss black front grille

Gloss black rear roof spoiler

B-pillar and C-pillar garnishes in gloss black finish

Chrome finish signature wing in front grille

Rear side wing doors

Dual bright finish exhaust tip trim

Exterior Lights

Third brake light

High beam assist

Adaptive LED Headlights

Coming/leaving home lighting function

Rear fog lights

Dusk sensing headlights

LED signature daytime running lights

Front kodo turn signal

Signature LED rear combination lights

LED auto headlight levelling

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone climate control air conditioning with rear air vents

Interior Features

Roof mounted sunglasses holder

Leather wrapped gear shift knob

Front armrest

Paddle shift controls

Gear shift indicator

Driver, Front passenger and two rear grab handles with coathooks

12V power outlet in centre console

Folding rear centre armrest with two cup holders

Cloth upholstery with interior accents

Leather wrapped steering wheel with telescopic and tilt adjustment

Front centre storage with two cupholders with lid

Dark cloth door panel inserts

Dashboard, door cards and front centre armrest in black cloth

Light roof headlining and pillars

Driver, front passenger and two rear door storage

Bright interior trim accents with steering wheel centre bezel, surround of engine start / stop button and glove box handle

Interior Lights

Glovebox illumination

LED luggage compartment lighting

Front and rear LED lighting

Safety

Front side airbags

Front and rear curtain airbags

Drivers knee airbag

Front passenger airbag cut-off switch

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Seatbelt reminder for driver/front passenger and rear seats

3 point ELR front seat belts x2 with pretensioners

3 point ELR rear seat belts

Front dual stage driver and single stage front passenger airbags

Manual child lock in rear doors

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

ISOFIX child seat anchorage points attached on outer rear seats

Front passengers seat manual slide, recline and height adjustment

60/40 split fold down rear seats

Front passenger seatback pockets

Front and rear (x3) head restraints

Heated front seats with 3 stage setting

Driver seat manual slide, recline, height and seat tilt adjust

Single front passenger seat

Security

Smart keyless entry

Thatcham accredited alarm and immobiliser

Remote central locking with deadlocking and automatic door lock when driving

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and front passenger visors with covered vanity mirror and driver ticket holder

Wheels - Alloy

18" Bright silver metallic alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Emergency tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 139

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 140

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 140

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Gears: 6 SPEED

CC: 1998

Transmission: AUTO

Compression Ratio: 15.0:1

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 91.2

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 83.5

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Fuel Delivery: SUPERCHARGER

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 47.9

WLTP - MPG - Low: 37.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 44.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6.2

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 7.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 7.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 7.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 45.6

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 37.7

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 38.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 44.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 41.5

WLTP - MPG - High: 53.3

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 20E

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 99

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 80

NCAP Safety Assist %: 77

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 186

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Coin Description: e-Skyactiv X MHEV

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Coin Series: Exclusive-Line

Performance

Engine Power - BHP: 186

Engine Torque - RPM: 4000

Engine Torque - NM: 240

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 177

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Power - KW: 137

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.7

Top Speed: 127

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - MKG: 24.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 215/55 R18

Tyre Size Rear: 215/55 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: N

Vehicle Dimensions

Height (including roof rails): N

Wheelbase: 2655

Width (including mirrors): 2040

Height: 1540

Width: 1795

Length: 4395

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1965

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 600

Minimum Kerbweight: 1464

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 51

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1300

Max. Loading Weight: 501

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 422

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1398

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.6

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Mica paint

Pearlescent paint

Special metallic paint

Premium metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Ceramic white

Metallic - Polymetal grey

Metallic - Platinum quartz

Metallic - Zircon sand

Paint - Mica

Mica - Jet black

Mica - Deep crystal blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Snowflake white

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arctic white

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Soul red crystal

Premium metallic - Machine grey

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Premium dark grey with black accents