Car Review: Mazda CX-30

Everybody wants to own a Mercedes-Benz, but no one really likes the hefty price tag. What if I told you a Mazda CX-30 just might be the car for you?

It is common to assume that premium features such as a Bose surround sound system, a smooth driving experience and a sedulously designed interior would be out of reach except for those with the deepest pockets. However, with the 2020 Mazda CX-30, Mazda’s engineers have given us an affordable vehicle that is shockingly good.

I must begin by talking about the slam dunk that is the Mazda CX-30’s interior. The interior is as perfect as a midterm with questions that you actually studied for. The leather seats are comfortable and supportive, even for long drives. The dashboard is made from soft touch materials giving the car a really upscale and urbane feel. The infotainment (information and entertainment) system’s screen is extremely easy to read and is controlled by a dial in the centre console, making it easy to input addresses into the GPS or adjust the stereo volume on the road. 

When it comes to the sound system, the Mazda CX-30 is absolute perfection. Can’t afford tickets to the Maroon 5 concert at Rogers Place? All good, fam. Jump into your CX-30, pop on Spotify Premium, and let the 12 speaker Bose sound system turn your car into a New York City concert hall as you melt into the percussion, bass and tones of your favourite songs. I promise that once the music starts, you’re going to find excuses to keep driving. 

To make things even sweeter, my Mazda CX-30 even overlaid a translucent hologram over the windshield to give speed and driving information without needing to look down at the dash. This cool feature really helps when driving on the highway or busy roads. 

On the road, the Mazda CX-30 is superb. The i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system was improved and the car is virtually silent on the road, with wind noise only being noticeable north of 120 kilometres per hour. One time, when parked, I almost forgot to turn off the car because the engine was so quiet and vibration-free!

Unfortunately, I encountered two flaws with the Mazda CX-30. While the 2.5 litre SKYACTIV engine is very fuel efficient at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, it is woefully underpowered and suffers from some notable lag. Stepping on the gas feels like being in line at the CAB Tim Hortons’ — you’re gonna be waiting a while until something happens. On paper the 188 horsepower should be plenty, but this car feels far less powerful. Also, while the sleek design of the Mazda CX-30 is artful and gorgeous, the pillars obstruct your view somewhat and it takes some time to get used to. This also affects shoulder checks. 

Conversely, the Mazda CX-30’s suspension soaks up bumps like Spongebob does water. On the way to Spruce Grove I drove over a massive pothole and I barely felt the car shudder at all. The handling is smooth and composed with a refined feel, reminding me of a far more expensive $70,000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. 

Overall, the Mazda CX-30 punches far above its weight. It has an expertly designed interior, a quiet plush ride, a bomb sound system and good fuel efficiency. It is close to, but not yet perfect. The CX-30 is arguably underpowered and there are some visibility problems due to the pillar design, but nevertheless it is perhaps one of the best cars I have driven this year. 

If you want the best that Mercedes Benz has to offer but for half the price, the 2020 Mazda CX-30 is the car for you.