Word is with the pandemic easing up people are moving back to urban areas because they are bored or desperate for a date.
Since SUVs are still hard to park on city streets and parking spaces in short supply since they are occupied by out-door dining platforms, it behooves anyone looking for a car think small or smaller. The 2021 Mazda CX-30, a smallish crossover, could certainly fit the bill.
Overview
It is relatively compact compared to its larger brethren and equipped to make it fun to drive even on city streets. It’s loaded with the latest in automotive technology, including aids to make it easier to squeeze into a tight parking space.
The CX-30 also is versatile, capable of carrying up to five passengers for a night out in a pinch or hauling packages, luggage or sporting gear. It also has plenty spirit for the times when you happen to wander out into the countryside or just want a quick start from a stop light.
Exterior
Mazda is immensely proud of its Kodo design language, and it is used to good effect on 2021 CX-30. The front fascia comes with the brand’s identification in a neat grille. The light fixtures for the head lamps are angled in at the corners with crisp, straight lines. The windshield is laid back ever so slightly to give the impression of speed and movement and same theme is caried over in the curves down the side of the vehicle.
The strength of the overall exterior design flows to rear of the vehicle where the liftgate is tailored to fit the image of speed. The top is sharply angled to meet the roofline and rear wing, giving the rear a distinctive appearance. The area over the CX-30’s wheel wells also curve neatly into the vehicle’s body, further enhancing the vehicle’s sleek appearance. Roof rails and 18-inch wheels completed the exterior package.
Interior
The interior of the 2021 Mazda CX-30 is simple, compared with a lot of vehicles today. But the buttons and knobs controlling the key functions are easy to reach. I liked the fact the center stack screen, while not large by today’s standards, slanted towards the driver. While driving at night, the interior lighting scheme was very effective without being distracting.
The interior of the vehicle I drove also was nicely furnished with impressive materials. The dashboard was wrapped in leather with very neat stitching across the width of the car. The shift knob and steering wheel were wrapped in leather as well and the inner door was lined with soft material, while the power seat was comfortable and equipped with lumbar sort, which Is welcome even on a short drive. Visibility from the driver’s seat was excellent and visibility to the rear of the vehicle also was very good and the seats in the second row were not particularly cramped.
Powertrain
The Mazda CX-30 is powered by a SkyActiv 2.5-liter engine equipped with turbo charging, which was matched to a 6-speed SkyActiv Drive transmission. The vehicle also was equipped with all-wheel drive and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel for drivers, wanting to time their own shifts.
The combination produced 227 horsepower and 310-foot-pounds of torque. The combined fuel economy rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was 25 mpg, including 22 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway.
Safety and Technology
Safety equipment is always a consideration in a smaller vehicle and the Mazda CX-30 is equipped with front- and side-impact airbags as well as side air curtains for protection if the vehicle rolls over. It also was equipped with blind-spot and lane-departure warnings as well as lane-keeping assist and rear cross-traffic alert to help keep the vehicle.
The CX-30 comes with an 8.8-inch screen for entertainment and navigation. It also was equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Satellite Radio and Mazda’s connected services. The fully equipped version of the CX-30 I drove for a week, which cost $36,000, it also was equipped with Bose sound system with 12 speakers, radar cruise controls and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Driving Impressions
The Mazda CX-30 has plenty of horsepower as well as plenty of torque to pull away from a standing start for more spirited driving. The electric power steering is very accurate, and the accuracy and feel is enhanced by the G-vectoring control, which helps maintain control in sharp curves or turns.
The four-wheel disc brakes have plenty of stopping power. It has rained quite a bit in Michigan recently and the all-wheel-drive system helps keep the CX-30 from slipping on all sort of surfaces. The suspension on the CX-30 also is first rate and makes the vehicle a great driving vehicle under all sorts of conditions or at various speeds.
2021 Mazda CX-30 Premium Plus specifications:
| Dimension | L: 173 inches/W: 70.7 inches/H: 61.7 inches/Wheelbase: 104.4 inches |
| Weight | 3,234 pounds |
| Powertrain | 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 6-speed automatic transmission |
| Fuel Economy | 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined |
| Performance Specs | 186 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque |
| Price | As tested: $35,995 including $1,100 destination and delivery charge |
| On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
For buyers who may be feeling some form of buyer’s remorse for the large vehicle they purchased at the beginning of the pandemic now that gasoline prices are rising along with the steady increase in economic activity, the Mazda CX-30 offers an alternative.
Plus it is fun to drive, easy to park — even in crowded suburban or urban areas — and plenty versatile enough to handle everyday errands or a return to commuting. It also comes with a well-integrated package of technology to keep motorists bored with return to commuting entertained and in touch with office and family.
2021 Mazda CX-30 Premium Plus — Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Mazda CX-30 in feet?
The Mazda CX-30 is 173 inches long, which is about 14.5 feet.
Which is the least expensive 2021 Mazda CX-30?
Prices for the Mazda CX-30 start around $23,000.
How fast is the Mazda CX-30?
Well, if you’re going for speed, you’ll want the turbocharged model, which we drove. Depending upon which resource you tap, it’ll run from 0 to 60 mph between 5.8 and 6 seconds. That’s pretty respectable for that type of vehicle.
