Sleek Styling + Fun Driving Dynamics
Debuting in mid-December 2019 as a 2020 model, the compact Mazda CX-30 slots size and sales wise between the subcompact CX-3 and midsize CX-5. Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the 2021 CX-30, getting familiar with this five-seat compact crossover that is positioned to be best-in-class. We came away as believers, feeling this “tweener” is a compelling value and one that should be at the top of your shopping list.
Getting There
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is built off the very fun-to-drive Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback platform. If you have ever driven a Mazda, you will know that top-to-bottom in their line-up, they make the best-handling cars and crossovers that aren’t marketed as a sports model. The CX-30 does not disappoint in handling and efficiency.
The base Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine is a smooth and responsive four-cylinder that produces a class-leading 186 horsepower (hp) and 186 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. New for 2021, the CX-30 has an optional 2.5L turbo four-cylinder delivering 250 hp and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. Clean Fleet Report will post a review later this year of the turbo CX-30.
The CX-30 comes standard with front wheel drive; with the i-Active all-wheel drive (AWD) option was the model we drove. The i-Active AWD uses instantaneous driving data to anticipate wheel slippage, resulting in smooth traction in all conditions. Regardless of whether it is two or four wheels driving the CX-30, the six-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters and Sport mode, was never at a loss to find the right gear. This was noticeable when climbing mountains and getting on-and-off the accelerator on tight curves.
The EPA rates the CX-30 2.5L AWD at 25 mpg city/32 highway/27 combined. In 240 miles of driving throughout Southern California we averaged 31.8 mpg, and hit 37.7 mpg on an all-freeway run with the adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph.
Hitting the Road
The 2.5L engine is quiet and provides plenty of acceleration, with zero to 60 times in the mid-seven seconds. We anticipate the optional 2.5L turbo will add even more performance, which should be fun.
The ride was smooth with agile handling, the same impression we had with the Mazda3 hatchback. Coming from the company that makes the fantastic handling MX-5 Miata, the CX-30 is in good company. The list of suspension and chassis technology is long on the CX-30, all contributing to what Mazda says is “a feeling of oneness.” This list includes Bridgestone Turanza 215/55 tires on 18-inch alloy wheels, a redesigned suspension, properly adjusted electric power-assist steering, dynamic stability control, traction control, and the G-Vectoring Control Plus system. When cornering, the G-Vectoring Control Plus system adjusts engine torque to shift weight, increase steering response, and apply a bit of the anti-lock brakes to ease cornering.
Car as Art Exterior Design
Mazda has a “car as art” philosophy to get the proportions and design right. Design cues for the 2021 CX-30 include a long hood, laid-back windshield, and short overhangs front and rear. The shark fin antenna, roof rails, integrated spoiler over the raked window on the power lift gate are finished-off with LED tail lights. Having AWD opens the possibility to go off-roading, but there are (literal) low expectations of the CX-30 scraping many bushes, trees and rocks. Acknowledging this, the body cladding found on the fenders, the lower doors and the rear bumper could be significantly reduced in size and scope.
The front view has sleek narrow headlights made possible by LED technology that allowed designers to take up as little real estate as possible on the fenders and hood. The grille does not suffer from being overly large, and is part of a front end that has a nice combination of color, texture (grille) and tasteful chrome. Choose from up-to seven exterior colors of Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Sonic Silver Metallic, Machine Gray Metallic, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Polymetal Gray Metallic, Jet Black Metallic and Deep Crystal Blue Mica, the color we tested.
Class-Above Interior
The up-market interior on the Premium model immediately looks like a class above. The black and brown color scheme on our CX-30, with aluminum accents, was pleasing to the eye. Cloth seats are standard on lower trims, but leather is on the Premium model. The heated, power adjustable seats, with lumbar and memory for the driver, were firm and comfortable. The heated, leather-covered steering wheel, with cruise and audio controls, made for a comfortable and convenient driver setting.
Up front, the dash had a simple, clean logical layout resplendent with soft touch materials. The three round gauges, with black faces and white letters, were easy to read. The round automatic HVAC knobs were conveniently placed above the center console.
The 8.8-inch horizontal color display, that is not a touchscreen, erupts from the dashboard and is home to the Bose premium audio system. With 12 speakers, the sound quality is excellent for the AM/FM/MP3/AUX HD radio, SiriusXM, Pandora, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda Connect connectivity system includes navigation and Bluetooth. The head-up display was a pleasant surprise.
To manage the radio there is a wheel–Mazda calls it a Commander control–on the center console for changing channels, and a smaller one for volume control. We found the wheel cumbersome to use, requiring multiple steps to control a single function, which diverted the driver’s eyes from the road. Maybe in time it becomes a by-touch operation, but after a week we did not get the hang of the system and found it to be overly complicated. With the excellence of Mazda’s engineers, we are confident they can easily design a much more user-friendly interface.
Convenience comes your way with remote keyless door locks, push button start/stop, power windows (all) with one-touch up and down, power sliding glass moonroof, rearview camera, carpeted floor mats, dual zone automatic HVAC, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt and telescopic steering column, rain-sensing windshield wipers, folding power and heated side mirrors with turn indicators, and an electronic parking brake.
Safety
The 2021 Mazda MX-30 comes with an extensive list of standard and optional safety features, including front and side airbags, anti-theft engine immobilizer, hill launch assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and rear cross traffic alert.
The Mazda Active Driving Display includes the head-up display (HUD), which is projected onto the windshield, directly in front of the driver. Being able to keep your vision straight ahead is a major safety factor as it minimizes distractions. The HUD shows driving speed, the speed limit, a red box if you exceed the posted speed, street signs (such as “Stop” and “Do Not Enter”) as well as lane departure and brake warnings. The HUD is very helpful and useful, and should be standard equipment on all cars.
In crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the 2021 MX-30 received five stars (its highest rating) for overall crash protection, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the MX-30 its highest rating of Top Safety Pick.
Pricing and Warranties
Clean Fleet Report’s 2021 MX-30 Premium AWD had a base price of $29,950. With $775 in optional equipment and the $1,100 destination and handling fee, the MSRP came to $31,825.
The 2021 MX-30 comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
- Bumper-To-Bumper – Three years/36,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles
Observations: 2021 Mazda CX-30 Premium AWD 2.5L
Mazda says with the 2021 CX-30 “the adventure is ahead.” Designed for families with small children, Mazda expects the CX-30 to be an entry vehicle, leading them to step up to a CX-5 or CX-9 as the family grows.
Upfront, the cabin is spacious, and the rear seat capable of carrying three adults (two more comfortably). The rear cargo capacity–20.2 cubic-inches with the rear seat upright–is plenty large enough for two, but would be a tight squeeze for all the gear necessary for four persons. The suspension delivers a smoother and quieter ride than is expected in a compact crossover, while the superb handling, especially with the i-Active AWD system, makes it fun to drive.
With a price starting at $23,000, including the $1,100 destination and handling fee, the 2021 CX-30 2.5L is a compelling value, one that should be at the top of your shopping list.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Mazda.
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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