Mazda joins the ranks of automakers offering more crossovers than cars with the addition of the CX-30 shown at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. Slotted between the company’s CX-3 subcompact and CX-5 compact crossovers, this makes the fourth crossover in Mazda’s stable, which also includes the midsize, 3-row CX-9.
2020 Mazda CX-30
At 173 inches stem to stern, the CX-30 is about five inches longer than a CX-3, and about six inches shorter than a CX-5. That length, and a 3-inch longer wheelbase, give the CX-30 a passenger- and cargo-space advantage over the CX-3, and its larger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (vs. 2.0-liter) gives it an edge in power as well: 186 horsepower to 148. Though the CX-30 straddles the line between the subcompact and compact SUV classes, it’s just big enough that we categorize it as a compact SUV.
Not surprisingly, you pay for the extra length and power — but not all that much. Whereas the CX-3 starts at about $20,390 (for 2019; 2020 prices have not yet been released), the CX-30 starts at $21,900 — so about $1500 more. And it’s about $2500 less than a CX-5, so it falls between the two in this regard as well. Four trim levels are offered — base, Select, Preferred, and Premium — all available with front- or all-wheel drive; the top AWD Premium starts at $29,600.
Mazda has been moving its vehicles upmarket of late, and top-line versions of the CX-30 reflect that. Available features include the usual assortment of high-tech safety items along with driver-attention alert, Bose premium audio system, 8-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment and memory, head-up display, adaptive headlights (they turn with the front wheels), adaptive cruise control with stop & go capability (great in city traffic), power liftgate, wireless cell-phone charging, and rain-sensing wipers. It also introduces Mazda Connected Services as standard equipment, which includes Wi-Fi hotspot capability, roadside assistance, and 911 emergency-services notification, along with the ability to lock and unlock doors, start the engine, and check tire pressures through an app on your phone.
CG Says:
The growing popularity of crossovers has made for some hair-splitting additions to model lineups, but this is one that actually makes sense. While the little CX-3 is a nicely sporting vehicle, its size and rakish styling make for very limited cargo and passenger room, both being improved in the CX-30 — without having to make the size and price jump to a CX-5. As such, this is a “tweener” that carries a lot of appeal.
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2020 Mazda CX-30
