A Week With: 2022 Mazda CX-30 AWD

Plenty of attention is paid these days to the sales for electric vehicles and pickup trucks. But compact utility vehicles are also coming on strong, automakers have noted. 

By one recent estimate, they could grow by 48% in the next couple of years. As a result, automakers across the board have been either adding new small utes or refining the models already in their portfolio.

Overview

Mazda, one of the smaller Japanese automakers, has always done well selling small cars around the world and with sales of small coupes and sedans fading, it has moved smartly into selling compact utility vehicles, such has the 2022 Mazda CX-30 AWD.

As is the case with the best in this class, it offers consumers an impressive array of features in a package, which like Goldilocks’ porridge, seems just right.

The CX-30 also benefits from Mazda’s skill at building powertrains, chassis and suspensions capable of giving the vehicle impressive performance in a segment where the emphasis traditionally been on economy and practicality. The CX-30 manages not only be practical buy also display some heart out on the road or in traffic.

Exterior

For the exterior of the CX-30, Mazda has tried to move the two-box silhouette to a more sporty direction, which is difficult given the vehicle’s rather ungainly proportions over which the stylists have little control. But Mazda stylists have endowed the vehicle with a distinctive front fascia to frame the enlarged Mazda badge. 

The light fixtures are folded into the vehicle’s four corners, while the rear-liftgate, or fifth door, tilts into the sloping roofline with a small spoiler and roof rails. The wheels are also nicely stylized, adding a bit of drama to the vehicle’s overall appearance.

Interior

On the inside, the Mazda’s stylists used a simple straightforward design. The simplicity of the interior design in 2022 CX-30 is one of its strong features. At the same time, however, the technology built into the vehicle is nicely integrated though I suspect some will be disappointed by the small size of the center-stack screen. 

In addition, the lighting scheme inside the cabin is highly effective. The steering wheel has controls for the entertainment system and for the vehicle’s cruise control are neatly lit, for example. The other controls for features, such as the HVAC, include a mix of buttons and knobs. 

The seats of the 2022 Mazda CX-30 are very tight, given the vehicle’s 104-inch wheelbase, but they can easily handle a child seat. The visibility from the driver’s seat is very good and the CX-30 also comes with a suite of driver assistance features neatly integrated in the vehicle’s operation.

Powertrain

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 is equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission and an active all-wheel-drive system. The powertrain is capable of 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the CX-30 has a combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg, as well as 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. In keeping with Mazda’s intentions to make all of its vehicles for drivers, the CX-30 also is equipped with multiple drive modes and paddle shifters to override the automatic transmission.

Safety and Technology

In addition to the multiple airbags for protection of front- and rear-seat passengers in frontal- and side-impact crashes, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 also is equipped with driver assistance features such as blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and high-beam control. 

The version I drove was equipped with a 360-degree camera, a head-up display and parking sensors. It also comes with Bluetooth as well as a Sirius XM radio connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a Bose AM/FM HD radio. There also is four-wheel-disc brakes, automatic high-beam controls and rain-sensing windshield wipers. In addition, it is equipped with wireless charging pad.

Driving Impressions

With the vehicle’s power-to-weight ratio, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 is very quick and never hesitates when the driver puts pressure on the accelerator. It moves quickly when called on to pass other vehicles and accelerates instantly in traffic. 

The performance is bolstered by a neatly tuned suspension, crisp steering and four-wheel disc brakes with plenty of stopping power. The CX-30 is also quite maneuverable. It might not be much of rural vehicle, but it is well-suited for crowded parking lots and narrow streets, which means its well-suited for everyday use in urban and suburban setting. 

2022 Mazda CX-30 AWD

Wrap Up

The 2022 CX 2022 is compact, and some buyers will find it too small. But it has solid driving dynamics and an impressive list of standard features, including driver assistance features to help protect the vehicles as well as the driver and passengers. 

In addition, the features and technology available on the vehicle are nicely integrated into one neat, comprehensive package. The $36,000 price tag will seem steep to anyone who has not shopped for a new vehicle in a while but is well below the average price of new vehicles sold in the United States these days. 

2022 Mazda CX-30 AWD ­— Frequently Asked Questions