We have all heard this before – crossovers are all the same. This sentiment is especially true in the mainstream segment, where every company makes one (or six) purpose-built crossovers that largely drives the same with little or no personalities. That is, all but one small Japanese company based out of Hiroshima that continues to put driving engagement above all else. We put their subcompact crossover, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo, to the test to see if it lives up to the commitment to keep up the communication between the car and driver as their rivals have all shifted focus.
The CX-30 was introduced in 2020 to slot in between the CX-3 and CX-5 in the crossover lineup, and is essentially a jacked-up version of the Mazda3. Anyone who has been around a Mazda product in the past decade will instantly recognize its charming good looks, and there is no other colour we would want to spec it in other than the signature Soul Red Crystal as seen here. Overall the CX-30 looks more sophisticated than other sub-$40K crossovers and we expect the styling to age well in the long run.
The CX-30 Turbo’s 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a bit of sledgehammer in the mainstream subcompact crossover segment. With an output of 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft. of torque, the CX-30 outmuscles not only its direct competitions but basically any entry-level crossovers from luxury automakers such as the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and Lexus UX.
The CX-30 is eager to get going thanks to its full power arriving early in the rev range and it manages to accelerate as well as many modern hot hatches. While the CX-30 is fast, we would stop short on calling it a thrill ride due to its innate ability to run out of breath around 5,500 RPM, thereby robbing a bit of fun. The standard six-speed automatic is quick to upshift to help make up for the lack of top end power, and it’s best to leave it to work on its own as there is a bit of lag when shifting with the paddles.
Like all Mazda products, steering is a joy on the CX-30 Turbo, rewarding drivers with accurate response and excellent feel. The chassis is well balanced, and the standard G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) system enhances the way it gets around corners by using the engine to optimize load control in corners. In real life, the GVC Plus system operation is imperceptible but you can feel the effects. The CX-30 can make its way through corners better than any other subcompact crossovers in the market today.
Fuel economy is rated at 10.5L/100km in the city and 7.9L/100km on the highway for a combined figure of 9.3L/100km. Our observed figure came in at a higher than expected 11.0L/100km. Contributing factors to the higher thirst for fuel are cold weather and our CX-30 tester being brand new with less than 100km on the clock. We expect the figures to return closer to the rated numbers over time. Only regular fuel is required for the CX-30 Turbo, but note that power output decreases to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. vs the posted figures made using premium 93-octane gasoline.
If the CX-30 Turbo’s power figure does not convince you that Mazda has their sights set high above its own segment, its interior will surely do it. Mazda did not hold back when designing its cabin, dressing it up with brushed chrome trims, white leather seats, and dark brown leather dash that is normally found in higher-end cars.
The ten-way power adjustable seats are comfortable, though the seat bottom may be a bit narrow for some. There is acceptable room up front, however rear passengers will feel cramped given the sloped hatch and short legroom. Ride quality is above average; road imperfections are well absorbed, with our only complaint being slightly higher wind noise if when compared with entry-level luxury crossovers. Cargo volume is rated at 572 litres which can be quite shy for family users.
Infotainment is delivered by the 8.8-inch centre display with commands accepted through a rotary dial knob. While rotary knobs are our preferred method for input, the system itself is a bit click-heavy with many functions found inside submenus. It is not a bad system to use once favourites and shortcuts are set, and there is standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support to help smooth out the learning curve. We love the 12-speaker Bose audio system that comes standard on CX-30 Turbo that fills the cabin with excellent sound quality not typically found in this segment.
The CX-30 Turbo comes with a full suite of safety features such as radar cruise control, lane-keep assist, brake support, pedestrian detection, parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition systems. We like Mazda’s clever head-up display system that showed upcoming traffic signs such as stop sign on the windshield, thus lowering the chance of missing them especially during night-time use.
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 starts at $26,100 for the base GX, and moves up to $34,450 for the top-trim GT. Add $3,250 for the turbocharged engine, $450 for the Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint, and $200 for the Pure White leather interior, and we arrived at an as-tested $38,350.
While that sticker price is higher than its mainstream competition such as the Hyundai Kona, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Kia Seltos, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo stands out above them with its potent powertrain, engaging driving dynamics, and a world-class interior. These very traits also allow the CX-30 Turbo to pose a legitimate threat above its own class and we would recommend it over many entry-level luxury crossovers.
