What Could Be Better?
Not much actually. Just the one thing that I always have an issue w/ the crossovers & smaller Mazda vehicles. I would just want a tad more legroom in the rear back row.
Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: An Unexpected Surprise In A Crossover
It’s been a while since we’ve got a chance to rock w/ a Mazda vehicle, so let’s make up for lost time now. This time around, we’re talking about the 2021 CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD model in Red.
They updated it w/ its 2021 model late last year w/ new tech and their Skyactiv 2.5 Turbo engine option. This is their high-end model w/ just about all of the bells & whistles like navigation, auto lights w/ auto high-beams, and roof rack side rails. Of course, save the wireless charging feature in the center console.
Now the exact model we got is the CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus w/ Premium Package along w/ Mazda’s signature Soul Red Crystal Metallica color option sticker price of around $36,000. We’ve had 7 days w/ it and we’ll let you know how it performs and who is it for.
Staring at the CX-30, you got Mazda’s signature Kodo design language seen on all of their crossovers & SUVs. You got the familiar setup w/ daytime running lights, front grill w/ a larger Mazda logo + front camera right above it, front sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a rear power liftgate, rear Signature LED taillights, 2 chrome-tipped exhausts, & roof rack side rails. And last but not least, you got 18inch aluminum alloy rims on 4 all-weather Bridgestone tires.
With the CX-30 sitting at a 14.5ft length, it might appear that it may lack trunk space. But that is definitely not the case. Mazda equipped this w/ a total of 20.2 cubic-ft of trunk space. Which can easily handle an over $100 trip at BJs & a $60 run to Shop-Rite w/o having to resort to the backseat.
- Skyactiv G 2.5 engine that’s turbocharged + intercooled DOHC 16-valve w/ direct fuel injection and 4 valves per cylinder w/ variable valve timing (VVT)
- 6-speed automatic
- i-ACTIV AWD w/ Off-road Traction Assist
- 227hp + 310lb-ft of torque and 250hp + 320lb-ft of torque w/ 93 Octane gasoline
- 18inch aluminum alloy wheels
- Mazda’s Active Driving HUD
- 12-speaker Bose premium audio system
- 8.8inch infotainment center in the center
- 360-degree view monitor
- Adaptive front-lighting system
- Heated seats + heated steering wheel
- Rain-sensing wipers
Starting things off, we got a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ paddle shifters for that manual feel to it. Mazda has their lovely Active Driving Display or their heads-up display showing your speed, the current speed limit based on your location & stop signs. They also have their improved 4 cameras (front, rear, & sides) to give you a 360-degree view in parking and while driving.
Super comfortable leatherette-trimmed sport seats w/ heated seats, sunroof,
7inch LCD display showing off MPH/gas/trip data/tire pressure, an 8.8inch infotainment display controlled via steering wheel controls or center multifunctional dial, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, 8 airbags in total (dual front, front-seat-mounted side-impact, side-impact, & driver/driver’s side knee), blindspot monitoring, lane-keep, lane departure, auto-dimming rearview mirror & driver-side mirror, and a cool Adaptive Front lightning system that automatically switches from regular lights to high beams & back which can come in handy driving in parts of PA at night.
The rear row has the usual suspects of its own AC vents & cupholders within the center armrest. Outside of that, it is a little on the snug side for me. Not enough for me at 6’1 & 1/2 to sit comfortably for a long road trip. While it was only me, my wife, & 4-year old son, if you got more kids or a larger household and like everything we told you about, we would point you towards the CX-5 or the larger CX-9.
Now that the CX-30 has the one missing piece finally, it can be a viable option for those shopping for a crossover like this. Of course, the missing piece was Mazda’s own Skyactiv-G 2.5 6-speed turbocharged engine giving you up to 250hp + 320lb-ft of torque as an option. And then add their i-Activ AWD w/ off-road traction assist, and you got a nice bit of oomph on a crossover.
Not to the point of a massive kick during takeover but comes more in handy when already moving and need to kick it up a notch. I also didn’t feel like I had to be super sensitive about hitting corners like it was going to roll over but I was still doing respectable speeds. As far as braking power, I felt like it offered good stopping power. Not instant on a dime but not to the point where I felt like it wouldn’t stop on time.
Since I do mostly highway miles, this gives you an average of up 25mpg combined city/highway which got me around close 300 miles on a full tank of regular gas. I got a little less when I used premium for the 250hp kick. I had to fill it up like 2 during my 7 days w/ it as it included 2 trips to PA and 3 days of a 40-mile round trip to work.
The latest Mazda CX-30 crossover is a great ride, great tech, & a great experience.
I was pleasantly surprised after spending a little time driving the CX-30. There is a lot to love here: from speed, handling, & overall experience. While I do appreciate the faster 2.5 turbo engine + AWD combo present here, I’m more so glad for the better quality of their 360-degree view cameras.
This is ideal for those of you seeking a crossover w/ all of the bells & whistles and don’t require tons of 2nd-row room. Mazda is effortlessly offering a premium and damn-near luxury experience on the 2021 CX-30. Easily a must-have for those of you seeking a jack-of-all-trades vehicle in a crossover.
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