MAZDA MX-30 HYBRID REVIEW

Released here in January 2021, the MX-30 is the latest model in the continually expanding Mazda SUV range. The name is a bit confusing given that previous cars with the MX prefix have been sporty coupes or convertibles, most notably the iconic MX-5. In this case it stands for Mazda’s new Skyactiv-X M Hybrid technology with the M indicating that it is a mild hybrid or MHEV. It joins the Mazda3 hatch and CX-30 SUV in offering the MHEV option. In April this year the MX-30 MHEV was joined by… Read more

MAZDA CX-30 EVOLVE

Mazda must be doing something right, because among a plethora of small sports utility vehicles its CX-30 carried off the title as Car of the Year 2021 from a prestigious Australian motoring magazine. As if COTY were not enough, the whole CX-30 range walked away with the 2021 RACV crown for the safest SUV under $35,000. Wheels magazine’s editor had no hesitation in bestowing the honour on the new SUV, its editor saying: “The CX-30 is such a delightful car and performed strongly against all our criteria . . …. Read more

MAZDA RX-8 2003 – 2113

Want to own a car that’s exciting to drive, great to look at and pretty modestly priced? Then the Mazda RX-8 is well worth a place on your short list. It’s a sleek four-door coupe powered by a silky-smooth rotary engine with outstanding performance. The RX-8 is powered by a Mazda 13B powerplant. However, after problems in the early 13Bs the RX-8’s unit was modified in so many ways it can almost be regarded as a different unit. It also has a different name – the Renesis rotary. The side-port… Read more

MAZDA2 2007 – 2020

Mazda2, is quite spacious for a car in its class as its relatively tall body making for decent space in the cabin. It can used as a small family car and the kids are in their preteen years. Though in Australia it mostly sells to singles and couples. Build quality is very good inside and out and like all Mazdas the ‘2 holds its value pretty well. All the more she if you have it served by the book by an official dealer. The Mazda2 is commonly used as a… Read more

MILD MANNERED INTRO TO MAZDA NEW WORLD

It’s an open-and-shut case: either you love the horizontally opposed doors on the new Mazda MX-30 G20e, or you don’t. I lean towards the former having just spent a week living with its quirks. The doors combine to open up a huge entry and exit, or do they? In a less-than-generous parking spot, say the average shopping-centre space, limited opening presents a chore to negotiate the slot between the pair of doors. Other niggles are set out in the Driving section below. There’s nothing new about the set-up, having been… Read more

MAZDA MX-30 M HYBRID

The first ever Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid range has arrived in Australia. We have just picked up a vehicle to road test for a week. In the meantime, here are the specs of these fascinating variants. We will detail our driving impressions in next week’s column. A compact SUV, it combines a 114kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with Mazda’s own M Hybrid system. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is measured officially at 6.4 litres per hundred kilometres on the combined cycle,… Read more

MAZDA BT-50 THUNDER

Mazda Australia is about to launch a special model, the BT-50 Thunder. Developed by Mazda Australia’s in-house engineering team it will be sold only on the Australian market. It is based on the Mazda BT-50 GT dual-cab 4×4 and has a bold front-end treatment that includes a single hoop steel bullbar and a Lightforce dual-row LED lightbar. A set of Thunder decals grace the tub sides. Mazda fits what it describes as, ‘sinister’ 18-inch black alloy wheels that sit inside wider fender flares. At the rear is a premium sports… Read more

MAZDA CX-5 2012 – 2019

The CX-5 was the first model to get Mazda’s Kodo styling as a toe in the water exercise. The public really liked Kodo so it has been used on every new Mazda since then. In our eyes the CX-5 is the best iteration of Kodo, but of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Combine the Kodo shape with the bright red colours on offer and it’s not surprise that the CX-5 is a big seller, so there are plenty to choose from on the used car market…. Read more

MAZDA CX-8 GETS INTERESTING UPDATE

Mazda has announced updates to its CX-8 for 2021. The most interesting change is the offer of the Asaki LE models with is a ‘Captain’s Seats’ in the second row. These individual seats have power adjustment, there’s a central console between them. The console has twin cup holders and USB charging ports, while the luxurious seats themselves offer power adjustment as well as heating and ventilation functions. Following the successful introduction of the ‘Captain’s Seat’ layout in the Mazda CX-9, the new Asaki LE introduces the luxurious six-seat layout to… Read more

MAZDA CX-5 GT SP

Mazda CX-5 GT SP latest addition to its range of SP models. It has piano black door mirror housings and black metallic 19-inch alloy wheels and black interior trim highlights and seats finished in black Maztex and Grand Luxe Synthetic Suede upholstery with contrasting red stitching. Updated specification in the other in the CX-5 range includes new-generation infotainment for GT models and above new alloy wheels for Maxx Mazda’s latest 10.25-inch full-colour widescreen Mazda Connect infotainment system is fitted in Mazda CX-5 GT, GT SP and Akera models. This is… Read more