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Guess what I'm here today to tell you about another smart new smart crossover SUV.
I've been doing that quite often because these are the type of vehicles that consumers are buying more and more of Admittedly some can be a little dull, but today I am a little excited with this 2020 Mazda CX 30 because it's got a lot of things going for it.
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For starters, it's a looker, slotting in between the CX three and cx five and Mazdas SUV lineup the CX 30 where's the latest more mature take on the company's Koto design language, like the Mazda three sedan and hatchback there were new last year.
The following lines are clean, sporty and just attract Good.
Also like the monster three, the CX series interior deserves high praise for it's simple but stylish and intuitive layout and luxury level materials that's truly impressive to see in this class.
Major touch points are wrapped padded and stitched and the plastics are finished nicely.
The front seats have support in all the right places for long drives and hold on to you through turns.
Then there is utility with 20.2 cubic feet of cargo carrying space in the trunk area with more on offer if you fold the back seats down,front seats space is fine for adults but the rears arent so super spacious a couple of adults back there is fine with enough leg room three on the other hand won't be as pleasant [NOISE]
The tech menu, it's quite substantial.
A Mazda Connect system handles infotainment with an 8.8 inch display, which isn't a touchscreen.
Instead, controls fall to a centre council dial that's flanked by a couple hard buttons to control navigation a Bose audio system.
Bluetooth and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Not having a touchscreen does mean there's a bit of a steeper learning curve to efficiently work the master connect and entering destinations into the navigation system does take a bit more time.
Another downer, there's only two USB ports in here.
Both of them up front, none of them with an easy reach and.
Anyone in the back, but if you need another power option, monster does offer a wireless charging pad.
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Standard safety tech includes adaptive cruise control for collision Warning with auto braking, lane departure warning lane keep assist and blind spot Monitoring this Premium Package takes things one step further with a head up display and rear cross traffic alert.
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Getting to the dynamic bits of the CX 30 power comes from a 2.5 liter naturally aspirated four cylinder making 180 Six horsepower and 186 pound feet of torque that gets routed to the wheels through a six speed automatic transmission.
The EPA says it covers 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon highway which I believe is accurate cuz I observed 26 miles per gallon in mostly city driving.
The power figures are stout for the class but I have to say it does feel a tad sluggish off the line.
The remedy for that is punching up sport mode for much peppier launches and sees the trans hang on the gears a little longer for well, a sporty experience.
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The suspension is tuned wonderfully, it's compliant and quiet for normal driving, and then it keeps things composed.
When you flick it around staring is lightly weighted but response is sharp and made better by a G vectoring control plus system.
How does it do that it reduces engine torque to the front wheels ever so slightly when you begin to dial in steering input to load up the front tires for more grip on quarter inch.
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Everything together, the drivetrain of sport mode, suspension, G vectoring.
steering response and strong brakes equals a small crossover that's truly entertaining to wheel around on back roads.
And that's something you can't say about the competition like the Honda HRV.
Nissan Rogue sport and Subaru Crosstrek you just can't.
The 2020 Mazda CX 30 begins at $21,900 with front wheel drive, equipping all wheel drive tax on an additional 1400 dollars.
This range topping all the drive premium package here is of course more beginning at $29,600.
That's a smidge more expensive than a comparable equipped HRV and cross check but in line with the rogue sport.
Given the choice between all those the Mazda is the clear winner to me for its looks, a near luxury interior and most importantly with how fun it is behind the wheel.
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