Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 carries the same essence of eye-catchiness and elegance of the exterior in the layout of its interior too. The cabin carries an all-black theme, with a layered design for the dashboard that also gets soft-touch plastics for an added premium touch. The silver-themed inserts on the dashboard and the steering wheel add more contrast to the cabin.

While the Mazda CX-30 shares its three-spoke tilt and adjustable steering wheel with the rest of the Mazda offerings, the CX-30 has an all-new 7-inch TFT screen behind it for the instrument console, which has display themes similar to the simple analogue dials offered in CX-3 and CX-30. The Mazda CX-30 also has a clean and slanted design for the dashboard, where it accommodates an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting within a recessed area.

The lower centre console of the dashboard of the Mazda CX-30 has a gloss black theme for the transmission lever surrounds, while also having various switches for the audio and climate control systems. The cabin of the Mazda CX-30 is decently equipped with a few premium features like a 10-way powered driver’s seat with memory function, 60:40 split rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents, 12-speaker BOSE audio system, engine push start-stop button and more. 

The Mazda CX-30 might not have the traditional heightened stance of an SUV, but it doesn’t intend to be one. The minimalist yet distinctive design of the Mazda CX-30 makes it a stunner, with a low-slung design coupled with rugged elements all around to give it an added sense of toughness.

The Mazda CX-30 has an elegant-looking front profile comprising of a wide grille with tapered lower edges in the middle, which has been inspired by the front fascia of other Mazda offerings. However, here in the CX-30, this grille looks even sleeker and gets a new mesh design for the inserts. The grille also has a chrome finish for the lower edges and is flanked by eyebrow-shaped headlamp clusters that have LED projectors within them. The front bumper and front splitter at the bottom have thin LED strips of fog lamps between them. 

The side profile of the Mazda CX-30 affirms its crossover look with the lowered stance, slanted bonnet, and curved roofline. While it might not have the upright stance of an SUV, the Mazda CX-30 gets thick body cladding over its rounded wheel arches and lower part of door panels, which give it an added toughness. The Mazda CX-30 also gets 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels as standard, which have a blacked-out theme enhancing the overall sportiness of the side profile. 

The Mazda CX-30 looks muscular from the back, thanks to the squatted stance of the boot lid, which also has bird’s eye-shaped tail lamps with LED inserts on the sides. The overall design of the boot lid looks clean, with the rear bumper here housing the license plate while also covered with thick-looking black cladding. The Mazda CX-30 also has dual exhaust ports with one port on either side. 

While the Philippines-spec Mazda CX-30 misses out on Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive layout, it does have a well-tuned suspension setup comprising of Macpherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear. This well-tuned suspension, along with fine-tuned steering, gives the Mazda CX-30 a composed ride quality and stable handling even over rougher surfaces.

The only powertrain option offered in the Philippines-spec Mazda CX-30 is a combination of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 0.216 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor for power boost. While the engine delivers a maximum power output of 164 PS and a maximum torque output of 213 Nm, the electric motor gives a boost of 6.9 PS of power and 49 Nm of torque. The powertrain is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which sends the power to the front wheels.

The Philippines-spec Mazda CX-30 doesn’t get the more sophisticated ADAS features, but it covers the basics with essential safety features like seven airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, dynamic stability control, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera. 

With impeccable fit and finish levels, a hybrid powertrain and a fine sense of elegance and dynamism in its design inside-out, the Mazda CX-30 comes across as a very stylish and premium compact crossover. Setting a niche for itself, it is a recommendable option for those who want something unique yet practical.