Auto123 evaluations the 2021 Mazda CX-thirty.
With the Mazda CX-thirty, still the most up-to-date newcomer to the Japanese automaker’s lineup until the just-launched MX-thirty arrives at Canadian sellers this fall, Mazda squeezed out a place in its lineup for an in-concerning small crossover concerning the mouse-like CX-3 and the CX-5 compact SUV.
There’s no dilemma the CX-thirty bears crystal clear resemblance to both of those its smaller sized and greater siblings, but the designers also managed to give it a fairly unique visual appearance. So what we have is in essence a subcompact crossover that provides extra practicality than the CX-3, but not pretty the household-friendly roominess of the 5. Is it the porridge that’s just correct? Nicely, for some urban dwellers with small or no family members other than it’s possible a pet dog to transport about, I’d say yes, because it is functional to manoeuvre about the metropolis and its fairly gasoline-cost-effective, unquestionably extra than the CX-5.
Like its brethren, the 2021 CX-thirty is classy and eye-pleasing, an additional testomony to the knowledge of the automaker’s Kodo structure philosophy. There’s some of the Mazda3 in its strains and proportions, and in fact the two styles, which share the similar platform, are pretty close when it arrives time to measuring items horizontally. But still, this is no way a hastily reworked car or truck.
Shopicar.com, one hundred% online, shop for your future car or truck, purchase online and get it shipped to you any place in Quebec!

2021 Mazda CX-thirty, profile
The inside is up to what you’d assume from a Mazda, and from a brand-new model. Not possessing a quality brand of its possess like most of its opponents, the “little” Japanese carmaker has successfully positioned by itself a cut higher than the mass-market place crowd, specifically as you climb the trim ladders. So the cabin of the GT variant I examination-drove is a high-quality-feeling place, with high-quality of development apparent and pleasingly higher-conclude resources. You get leather-based trim and optional leather-based seating, and a elegant dashboard that spans the width of the inside.
Now, this remains a not-luxurious model, of class – compared with with the CX-5, there is no Signature trim below – so really do not assume every little thing on a platter. Standard stuff from the GX base model ($24,550 with FWD, $26,550 with AWD) on consists of heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle, keyless entry with push-button commence and alloy wheels. With the GS ($27,350 with FWD, $28,850 with AWD), Mazda throws in a heated steering wheel, twin-zone automatic climate manage, and further air vents on the back again of the centre console.
Get the GT ($33,850 with AWD) and you get a energy-adjustable driver’s seat and a energy tailgate, but not ventilated front seats or heated back again seats. The GT also arrives with a 12-speaker quality audio and total leather-based seating.
Protection-sensible, the CX-thirty is not bereft of systems, although the base model does not contain every little thing you may well hope for if you think about that protection tech is not an space to skimp in. You have to move from the base model to the GS to get automatic crisis braking with pedestrian detection in the front, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise manage that works in cease-and-go visitors. Then the GT trim provides reverse automatic braking, although not with pedestrian detection, visitors indication recognition and a head-up exhibit.
2021 Mazda CX-thirty, inside
In terms of over-all place, if you’re coming from a CX-3 you will uncover this definitely offers extra elbow, leg and headroom, but the change is not really that extraordinary, and frankly you’re still a very long way from a roomy cabin of the CX-5. The CX-thirty does not sit midway concerning the two other Mazdas in this respect – it is nearer to the littler CX-3, no dilemma. And as normal, that’s felt most acutely in back again, where by the seats are usable but a little bit cramped if you’re at all tall and/or significant.
Guiding those seats, you get 572 litres of cargo place, or one,280 litres right after folding down the second row. Those people aren’t category-slaying figures. No miracles below, primarily offered that the cargo place by itself is sort of slim – not what you’d hope for from a utility model. As we have noticed so generally, there is a cost for possessing a smooth and not-boxy exterior, and usually it is paid below.
2021 Mazda CX-thirty, initially-row seats
.jpg?scaledown=450)
Under the hood
The CX-thirty begins off with a two.0L engine building one hundred fifty five hp and a hundred and fifty lb-ft of torque it is switched out for a two.5L device for the GS and GT trims that brings a extra-attention-grabbing 186 hp and an equal amount of utmost torque. Past that there is the new Turbo edition, which goes substantially further in providing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Our GT had the i-Lively all-wheel-drive technique, and as very good Canadians we substantially appreciated it for its competence and reliability. The transmission for possibly engine is a skilled 6-velocity automatic, which can be created to behave extra dynamically with the drive modes, specifically Activity.
Note that there is no Eco between those modes, which some will uncover a disgrace offered that the gasoline economic climate you get from the CX-thirty is normally first rate but not amazing. Formally, the combined score for the smaller sized engine powertrain is 8.6L/one hundred km, and 8.9L/one hundred km with the even larger engine my ordinary for the 7 days, with the GT model with the latter engine but with the cylinder deactivation technique in place, was… 8.6L/one hundred km, so correct on the formal nose. That’s about ordinary for the subcompact crossover category.
My only whine below has to do with the fact that Mazda has created substantially of building gasoline-efficient combustion-engine powertrains in recent many years in lieu of very seriously pushing towards greater electrification. If so, the outcomes as noticed with the CX-thirty make it rarely appear value all the problems and in fact, Mazda looks to be accepting reality – it has just introduced for the Canadian market place the future MX-thirty, its initially all-electric vehicle.
2021 Mazda CX-thirty, front grille
In any event, questions of place and gasoline economic climate aside, the fact is this small CX-thirty provides the sort of positive driving encounter you’ve occur to assume from a Mazda. It’s peppy in acceleration, fantastic in corners with very good highway grip and limited steering, and you truly feel extra connected to the highway than in many of its rivals. It’s not pretty as lively as the Mazda3, but then it does provide extra inside place (primarily vertically) and far better visibility on the sides and back again than that sedan/hatchback model.
The suspension feels a small stiff at periods and you will truly feel the bumps extra than you would in the 3, probable as a consequence of the extra-vertical stance, but it is almost nothing extraordinary. Some folks like that sort of stiff truly feel when on the highway. Just really do not assume velvety smoothness. And you will get pleasure from the rapid reaction you get to throttle and brake inputs.

2021 Mazda CX-thirty, three-quarters rear
We like
Optimistic driving dynamics
Nicely-designed driver’s seat and cockpit
Fantastic energy from the engine
Gasoline-efficient, to a place
Fantastic visibility
Exterior styling
We like considerably less
Not the most spacious inside
Second row a cramped atmosphere
A bit stiff suspension
The levels of competition
Buick Encore GX
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Jeep Compass
Kia Seltos
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Nissan Qashqai
Subaru Crosstrek
Toyota C-HR

2021 Mazda CX-thirty, badging


Experts

Customers
2021 Mazda CX-thirty photographs