Mazda CX-30 – class, quality and understated style

Mazda are a marque that seems to be largely below the motoring consciousness of many drivers, although the MX-5 is synonymous with the Japanese car maker.  When I am asked, as motoring writers often are, about which cars someone should consider, there’s always a look of surprise when Mazda is mentioned. Which is a shame as Mazda have always been exceptionally well-built, a pleasure to drive and of a quality lacking in many rivals.

Their understated style may account for why they are not at the forefront of many people’s mind, it’s a brand that exemplifies the motto, ‘if you know, you know’. SUVs remain the flavour of the driving public’s attention and the CX30 is the focus of our attention in this review. As with all Mazda models the CX30 is a quality build and there are five trim levels with prices starting from €32,031/£27,300 for the lead-in Prime-Line version.

Standard equipment on this entry to range includes air conditioning, power fold heated door mirrors, Bluetooth, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear parking sensors and camera, radar cruise control, auto lights and wipers and the usual array of ‘advanced driver assistance features’. Thankfully the sensible people at Mazda have a one button solution that temporarily disables many of the features in an instant.

Two power options and either manual or automatic gears are on offer with the front wheel drive 140PS Skyactiv G 2.5-litre petrol unit or the 2.0-litre Skyactiv X petrol developing 186PS with the option of all-wheel-drive. A manual or automatic 6-speed transmission is available and both petrol engines come with mild hybrid assistance.

With a usefully intuitive rotary controller and buttons yet again the sensible people at Mazda have made the CX-30 a refreshing joy to the total touchscreen mania that has swept most of the car industry. It’s easy to operate functions, the switches and controls have an assured feel, and the interior as a whole is a very nice place to be on any journey. The notable quality puts many rivals to shame and it feels much more premium than the pricing suggests.

On the road the CX-30 is brisk without being overtly sporting, it handles extremely well and on a twisting cross-country route is surprisingly enjoyable for an SUV. It’s a refined and smooth drive too with lots of creature comforts.

It’s a classy looking car that lacks the in-your-face brutalism of so many designs. All-told the CX-30 should be your go-to-choice if you want class, quality and understated style at remarkably sensible money.

Facts at a glance

• Model: Mazda CX-30 2.0 186ps Exclusive-Line
• Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol mild hybrid, 186PS, driving front wheels
• Gears: 6-speed manual
• Price: €38,584/£32,895
• Performance: 0-100kph/62mph 8.3 seconds/Maximum speed 204kph/127mph
• Economy: Combined 49.6 mpg/5.7 litres per 100km
• Emissions: 129 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets