2020 MAZDA CX-30 TOURING

Mazda CX-30 is an SUV that sits neatly between Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 in size and price. These days many so-called SUVs are only driven by two wheels — the CX-30 is offered with a choice between two and all-wheel drive.

At the media launch of the CX-30 we spent two days and almost 500 km driving in Melbourne traffic, as well as on country roads and motorways on a roundabout trip to Cape Schenk.

Now we’ve completed another 450 km during our week with the Mazda in our home area on the Gold Coast. Our test car was a Touring with the 2.5-litre powerplant.

STYLING
The shape of the CX-30 is similar to the Mazda3 hatch and, interestingly, is no taller. However we feel the -30 has a sportier look than the ‘3, with a silhouette that’s almost coupe like.

Eight exterior colours are offered; Polymetal Grey Metallic, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Metallic, Sonic Silver Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica and Jet Black Mica.

INSIDE
High spec interiors are offered in the Touring and Astina models; a Rich Brown colour scheme, paired with either Black leather or Pure White leather trim. Pure and Evolve have a Navy Blue and Black cloth combination.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONS
Power is provided by either a 2.0-litre petrol, with 114 kW and 200 Nm, or a 2.5-litre petrol (139 kW/252 Nm).

The smaller engine drives the front wheels, the larger either the front or all four wheels. Transmission is by a six-speed automatic.

Mazda’s impressive Skyactiv X engine won’t be offered in the CX-30 until the second half of year in Australia. We are really looking forward to testing it as it takes a whole new direction in petrol engine design, being a sort-of diesel at times. Low fuel consumption will be its biggest engineering feature.

INFOTAINMENT
The horizontal 8.8-inch screen gives access to Mazda Connect infotainment system integrates satellite navigation as standard, plus phone-mirroring technologies Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

We find the slim infotainment screen too skinny as it doesn’t show far enough ahead to accurately plan ahead in your navigation.

SAFETY
There’s a big emphasis by Mazda on keeping drivers out of trouble if they’re paying more attention to their phones than their driving. The clever Driver Monitoring system watches the driver’s face and tells them to wake up to themselves.

The CX-30 has Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Smart Brake Support (SBS), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go.

DRIVING
There’s good space for four adults in legroom and head space. The smallish centre-rear seat is not unusual in this size class in that it’s hampered for footroom by the central tunnel.

The boot is a reasonable size but the semi-coupe roofline means it may not be able to carry items such as large boxes that can fit into conventional SUVs. Then again the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 are on offer should you need to haul more gear.

Ride quality and interior sound levels feel almost rival those of big brother Mazda6. Coarse-chip surfaces do increase noise levels, but not to the same extent as in others in this class.

Handling is accurate and the steering wheel provides the right amount of feedback.

Cornering is accurate enough, but this is not a sports sedan, and is certainly not planned to be one. Mazda has family cars in sportier variants in the past and it will be interesting to know if there’s a MazdaSpeed CX-30 in the pipeline. Done right, we reckon it could make others in this SUV class look a bit ordinary.

Fuel consumption on our test route sat in the nine to ten litres per hundred kilometres in suburban and hilly-country segments. It dropped to a pretty impressive five to six litres per hundred during easy cruising and on motorways.

New CX-30 has Mazda’s five-year unlimited distance warranty and five-year Mazda Premium Roadside Assistance.

SUMMING UP
Mazda CX-30 is a pleasant car to ride in and to drive. It’s built to Mazda’s usual high quality, looks attractive and, though not the cheapest in its class offers good value for money.

MODEL RANGE
G20 Pure FWD: $29,990
G20 Pure FWD with Vision Technology: $31,490
G20 Evolve FWD: $31,490
G20 Evolve FWD with Vision Technology: $32,990
G20 Touring FWD: $34,990
G20 Touring FWD with Vision Technology: $36,290
G25 Touring FWD: $36,490
G25 Touring FWD with Vision Technology: $37,790
G25 Touring AWD: $38,490
G25 Touring AWD with Vision Technology: $39,790
G20 Astina FWD: $38,990
G25 Astina FWD: $41,490
G25 Astina AWD: $43,490
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Mazda dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Mazda CX-30 2.0-litre petrol five-door SUV)
Capacity: 1.998 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 114 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 200 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Fuel type: Petrol 91 RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.5 litres per 100 km
CO2 emissions: 152 g/km

DRIVELINE:
Six-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4395 mm
Width: 1795 mm
Height: 1540 mm
Wheelbase: 2655 mm
Kerb Weight: 1376 kg
Turning circle: 10.6
Fuel Tank Capacity: 51 litres

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc

WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres