Well after a thorough test week, we feel the Mazda CX-30 is the perfectly imperfect crossover. We say this because of how the cons outweigh the pros but it depends on who you are, as what we might find annoying may be completely irrelevant to you.
Styling:
As always Mazda have known what they’re doing when it comes to design. And the CX-30 is no short of that, as it shows off very bold but smooth and angular lines all around the vehicle. Especially with our test guise being the Carbon Edition, it came with a host of black accents all around including the 18-inch black wheels. The black accents perfectly contrasted against the Polymetal Grey paintwork, a striking look we might add.
Interior:
The interior matches the same aesthetic and design language as the exterior. Featuring very angular and sharp lines all around from the dashboard to the seat design. There were also a few touches of red all around adding to that ‘sporty’ aspect that comes with the Carbon Edition, although there are a few points that need improvement. Such as the infotainment system and screen size, instrument cluster and interior quality. To elaborate on these points we wish the infotainment system wasn’t so dark and complicated to navigate as well at the instrument cluster barely showing any information (come on its 2023 a fully digital instrument cluster won’t hurt) and leatherette seats would add a nice touch. For the most part all the other areas feature soft/squishy materials that make up for loss, making it easy to forgive. But then again at this price point, this is what you would expect.
Features:
The Mazda CX-30 does come with nothing fancy besides the standard features such as cruise control, start/stop (called i-stop), a reverse camera and keyless entry. But the CX-30 does come with an automatic locking system that engages once you walk away from the vehicle. Overall, it’s pretty simple but practical.
Engine power and performance:
The CX-30 features a 2.0L in-line 4 cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission pushing out 121 kW and 213Nm of torque to the front wheels. After driving the CX-30 in different conditions we have found that it struggles with power and gets slightly uneasy when encountering speed bumps and potholes, but it’s not all bad as once it gets going it is an enjoyable experience. We just wish it had more power to help that FWD system with delivering its power efficiently. Fuel consumption is good at 6.6L/100km according to Mazda, and during our test it did well as it consumed around the same amount. It’s a 50/50 from us, but it’s a good car to drive.
Pricing:
The Mazda CX-30 pricing (2023) 2.0L Active – R497 000 2.0L Dynamic – R529 600 2.0L Carbon Edition – R540 200 2.0L Individual – R573 100 The CX-30 also comes with a 3-year unlimited service plan, 3-year factory warranty, 3 year roadside assistance and a 5 year corrosion warranty. All part of ‘Mazda Care’
Verdict:
The Mazda CX-30 brings a refreshing youthful sense into the market with its stylish looks and special colours. It may have its downsides, but it is definitely worth a try, although we would recommend looking at its competitors to find the right fit for you within this market.
Review by TJ Manzi- Fabulous Woman Magazine
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