Cars

Mazda CX-30: Go your own way

The CX-30 might be typically Mazda, but it isn't your typical SUV, says William Scholes

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

MAZDA tends to do things its own way; it is part of the Japanese brand's appeal, writes William Scholes.

That's not to say it's idiosyncratic for the sake of it - when it does tack in a different direction to its competitors, its engineers and designers can always come up with a sound reason.

When rivals were racing to bolt turbochargers to small capacity engines and making bold claims that this produced a magical combination of decent power outputs, strong fuel economy and low emissions, Mazda wasn't convinced.

Little turbo engines might deliver decent efficiency on paper, but because real world driving requires the turbocharger to be spinning more often than not, they don't usually deliver the promised fuel consumption savings.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

The clever people at Mazda reckoned there was an opportunity to 'right size' their engines rather than 'down size' them.

So while Ford will sell you a Focus with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet, Mazda slips a similarly powerful but twice as large 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, albeit unencumbered by a turbo, under the beautifully sculpted prow of its 3 hatchback.

An admirable commitment to bespoke two-seater roadsters is another Mazda hallmark. So too are superlative manual gearbox shifts, carefully considered pedal weights and a driving experience that's a cut above the mainstream norm.

Its large family SUV, the CX-5, is a class-leading car - good enough to persuade me to buy one - and that car's stylish little brother, the CX-3 stands out in the baby SUV category.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

Plugging the gap between those cars - a fast-growing market occupied by cars like the Skoda Karoq, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Seat Ateca - is not, as you might expect, a model called the CX-4 but a Mazda 3-based vehicle badged CX-30.

Here we find Mazda once again doing its own thing.

The CX-30 isn't as SUV-ish as a Karoq, Ateca or Volvo XC40, for example, looking more like a chunky hatchback than a pseudo off-roader. Nor is it particularly practical and roomy in the back seat or well endowed in the boot department.

It might be best to think of it as a slightly loftier, slightly roomier Mazda 3. It is also about 50kg heavier.

What we have with the CX-30 is, I think, an SUV for people who don't really want a full-fat SUV

Oddly enough, the CX-30 is actually a little shorter than a 3, but because of its more upright bodywork there's still more space for passengers and chattels inside.

Although you sit higher than you would in the low-slung 3 - and remember, the Mazda 3 is an exceptionally sleek family hatch - you still don't sit quite as high as you would in a more conventional SUV rival like an Ateca.

What we have with the CX-30 is, I think, an SUV for people who don't really want a full-fat SUV. I told you Mazda had its own way of doing things...

It's a great looking car, particularly for a family SUV, although it isn't as conspicuously elegant as the 3; it, after all, is one of the best looking cars of any sort on sale today.

The interior is essentially the same as that of the 3. This is a good thing, and endows the CX-30 with a super-comfortable driving position and a very well considered - more Mazda intelligence... - approach to the dashboard and infotainment.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

The instruments, set in a part-digital dash, are a model of clarity, and a crisp head-up display is standard.

Mazda has resisted following the herd and hasn't yet stuffed its interiors with touchscreens to control everything. Instead, there's a pleasing mix of switches and buttons, a clear display screen in the centre of the car, and a general sense that everything works intuitively. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is on board.

Not only does the CX-30 have a superbly designed interior, it's also distinguished by fantastic build quality and upmarket materials. As with the 3, the CX-30's cabin easily bears comparison with premium offerings from Audi and Volvo.

If things are business class up front, then it's a bit more economy in the back.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

That's not to say there's no room for adults, it's just that the accommodation isn't as generous as that found in the Mazda's more utilitarian class rivals.

Children won't complain, however. The Mazda 3 is tighter in the rear quarters than its rivals, so it's perhaps no surprise that its CX-30 relation is also a little cramped compared to its peers.

You will have already worked out that the boot won't be the largest in the sector. Its volume of 430 litres (1,406 litres when the seats are folded) is noticeably greater than the 358 litres found in the 3.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

That 430 litres puts the CX-30 on a par with the Nissan Qashqai, but some way behind the Karoq, which can hold up to 588 litres.

Nor does the Mazda have the sort of flexibility and practicality found in rivals - there's no sliding back seat or double boot floor, for example, let alone the ability to remove the back seats altogether, as you can in the Skoda.

If you already buy in to Mazda's way of doing things - its sense of style, conspicuous engineering and emphasis on driving enjoyment - then you will find much to admire in the CX-30. To those traditional Mazda values, it's added a layer of premium quality and luxury

These are other pointers that the CX-30 isn't an entirely conventional SUV.

It's a very safe one, however, securing an outstanding Euro NCap crash rating, complete with a 99 per cent score in the adult occupant part of the test.

The CX-30 is offered with two petrol engines, both of 2.0-litre capacity and with mild-hybrid hardware.

The entry engine has 120bhp but the one you'll want is the high-tech 178bhp Skyactiv-X unit. We've talked about this engine on these pages before - it's a complicated device, capable of switching between diesel-like 'compression' ignition and regular petrol spark ignition...

The idea is that you get diesel torque with petrol flexibility and responsiveness, with strong fuel economy too.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

Mazda is the first manufacturer to make this 'Spark Controlled Compression Ignition' system commercially available.

One might wonder if it's really worth the complication and effort, but it's undoubtedly clever stuff - typically Mazda, in other words.

I had the CX-30 during a post-lockdown week, and feel a longer test period would be needed to decide if Skyactiv-X fulfils its promise.

You can have the car with a six-speed automatic gearbox, though that seems a contrary choice when the standard six-speed manual is excellent. Most CX-30s are front-wheel-drive, but you can specify all-wheel-drive.

As we've become used to with Mazda, the CX-30 is more engaging to drive than the class norm. It's firmer than a Karoq or Qashqai, for example, with trademark Mazda steering, pedal weights and responses.

A Mazda 3 is probably a keener companion, however, but the CX-30 still scythes its way along a favourite back road with more energy than you would expect for an SUV in this class. The Seat Ateca is probably its nearest rival if you enjoy driving.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

There are five trim levels, rising from SE-L to GT Sport Tech. All are well equipped - standard equipment includes the colour head-up display, LED headlamps, radar cruise control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav and a bunch of safety aids.

Prices start at £22,940 and stretch to £34,065 - a premium of between £1,100 and £1,700 on the relative Mazda 3.

There's also a special '100th Anniversary Edition' to mark the company's centenary - it gets plush burgundy leather upholstery and 'snowflake white' pearlescent paint. Limited to 100 examples, it costs £31,695.

If you already buy in to Mazda's way of doing things - its sense of style, conspicuous engineering and emphasis on driving enjoyment - then you will find much to admire in the CX-30. To those traditional Mazda values, it's added a layer of premium quality and luxury.

As a family SUV, however, the CX-30 is compromised by a boot and back seat smaller than its rivals.

But if those aren't deal-breakers for you, then you need to give the Mazda a closer look; it's another accomplished and individual car from an accomplished and individual car-maker.

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30

AT A GLANCE

Mazda CX-30 Skyactiv-X GT Sport Tech

Price: £30,040. As tested £30,910, with 'machine grey' metallic paint £670 and stone leather £200

Engine and transmission: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 'Skyactiv-X' spark controlled compression ignition, six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel-drive; 178bhp, 165lb ft

Performance: Top speed 127mph, 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds

Fuel consumption: 47.9mpg (WLTP combined); 42.5mpg (real world)

CO2 and benefit in kind: 133g/km, 29 per cent

Car tax: £215 in first year, then £150 annually

Euro Ncap safety rating: Five stars (99/86/80/77), 2019

Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30
Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-30