2021 Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve review

Mazda must be doing something right as it has won a lot of plaudits from motoring journalists and has become one of the bestselling small SUVs in Australia.

Designed to slot in between the CX-3 and CX-5, the CX-30 offers either a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre petrol engine, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission with front or all-wheel-drive.

The entry-level CX-30 G20 FWD comes on to the market at $29,990, plus on-road costs, while the G25 Astina AWD tops off the range at $43,490.

A stint in a G20 Evolve, anchored mid-stream at $31,490, was backed to give as true an impression as any of the CX-30.

Like all new Mazdas, the CX-30 has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, plus five years of roadside assist.

Service intervals are every 10,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

STYLING

Consider the CX-30 a Mazda 3 hatchback on tiptoes: 100mm taller, 25mm more ground clearance and more cargo carrying capacity (in this case 317 litres, with volume extended to 430 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded).

Up front, cat-like headlamps flank a recognisable Mazda radiator shape with black grille.

Uncluttered lines on the flanks add bulk to the profile, which is only spoilt somewhat by black plastic side skirts and wheel arch borders surrounding solid enough 18-inch wheels.

Out the back there are wraparound tail-lights, a restrained roof spoiler, twin exhaust pipes and more black plastic in the bumper.

INTERIOR

The quality of the cabin has taken the small car to a new level.

The driver benefits from a high seating position and auto dimming rear-view mirror. The leather-clad steering wheel offers a comfortable grip, plus paddle shifts and the air vents are angled to the driver, servicing the dual-zone air-conditioning.

Versatile storage includes a good-sized centre console and a space below the fascia thanks to the uptake of an electric parking brake, plus big door bins.

In the back, Mazda claims 29mm more rear head room, 80mm more shoulder room, and 33mm more leg room than the CX-3.

INFOTAINMENT

Every variant of the CX-30 boasts an 8.8-inch centre screen with sharp resolution and a control system using a rotary dial and accompanying buttons, situated on the centre console.

The system engages Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus built-in satellite navigation, Bluetooth pairing and digital radio.

ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS

The 2.0-litre engine puts out 114kW at 6000rpm and 200Nm at 4000rpm and is quite happy to run on cheaper 91 RON petrol.

SAFETY

There’s an impressive list of advanced safety features across the board, including autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse), lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning and an advanced speed assist system.

It also achieved one of the highest ANCAP crash scores to date, achieving 99 per cent in adult occupant protection.

Seven airbags include a driver’s knee bag and IsoFix anchorage on outboard rear seats.

A 360-degree camera with a surround-view monitor, front parking sensors and cross-traffic alert are available for $1500 in a Vision Technology Pack.

DRIVING

The naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine misses the fizz of a turbocharger at low revs, but the six-speed automatic handled test-car town work well and had the SUV country cruising with confidence.

A 200km holiday round trip with three adults and a full load of gear in the back saw the CX-30 average 6.5L/100km.

Alternatively, on day-to-day running with the aid of stop/start engine control, the test vehicle recorded 6.8L/100km in the suburbs and 5.4 on the motorway.

Much of the easygoing nature of the drive could be put down to Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus, which handles stability through brake and engine control to help the car respond to sudden steering inputs.

Likewise, manoeuvring in tight spaces, often fraught in SUVs, is smoothed out by improved dampening of noise, vibration and harshness from road surfaces and other exterior noise, courtesy of new-generation Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture.

In addition, the CX-30 suspension system is quick to pick up road conditions and let the driver enjoy connected handling.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert help overcome limited visibility behind, while a colour head-up display projecting speed limits and navigation details on to the windscreen in front of the driver is a welcome standard inclusion.

SUMMARY

In hindsight, it could be fair to say the CX-3 and CX-5 could have been mere Mazda practice products for the CX-30, winner of ‘best of’ awards around the world. With its safety credentials, it’s hard to argue with the general feeling of excellence.

2021 MAZDA CX-30 G20 SPECIFICATIONS

• Price $31,490
• Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
• Outputs 114kW/200Nm
• Transmission Six-speed automatic
• Fuel economy 6.5L/100km