Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: a car that literally shines in the summer sun

Verdict

One of the best compliments you can pay a family car is to recognise just how effortless it is to own and drive, and the Mazda CX-30 delivers on this emphatically. Mediocre urban fuel economy aside, it really is hitting the spot as a talented compact SUV.

• Mileage: 2,510
• Economy: 34.4mpg

Our Mazda CX-30 continues to impress, and as the British summer begins to show its face, the car is looking its absolute best. Which is largely down to one thing: its stunning Soul Red Crystal metallic paintwork.

My CX-30 arrived in this vibrant hue back in November, and even under the gloom of winter skies, it stood out. Now, with the sun gracing us with its presence, the depth and lustre of this shade are truly breathtaking.

27

Mazda has always had a knack for creating eye-catching colours, but Soul Red Crystal takes it to another level. It’s a multi-layered paint process that genuinely seems to glow, shifting  from a deep, rich red to a brighter, more fiery tone depending on the light.

Parked next to more sombre shades of grey, black, or even white cars, the CX-30 in Soul Red Crystal is a beacon of individuality. In a world of increasingly anonymous vehicles, it’s refreshing to have a car that confidently expresses its personality, and the paintwork has a huge part to play in that.

Used - available now

2022 Mazda

Cx-30

22,710 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,179

View Cx-30

2022 Mazda

Cx-30

25,003 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,900

View Cx-30

2022 Mazda

Cx-30

11,163 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £16,800

View Cx-30

2022 Mazda

Cx-30

23,531 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,099

View Cx-30

The CX-30 in Homura trim continues to be a thoroughly enjoyable and trouble-free companion. Since its arrival, it has been subjected to the full rigours of family life – school runs, dog walks, shopping trips, and longer excursions – and it has handled every challenge with aplomb. There have been zero issues to report, which, while perhaps not the most exciting news for a motoring journalist, is exactly what you want from a long-term test car. It’s a testament to Mazda’s build quality and engineering prowess.

Our initial impressions of the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G mild-hybrid petrol engine have held true. While 138bhp might not sound like a huge amount of power, the 238Nm of torque provides a surprising amount of shove, particularly in everyday driving. The integration of the MHEV system is seamless, and you rarely notice the i-Stop tech cutting the engine at a standstill, or the cylinder deactivation working at cruising speeds. 

The result is a smooth, refined powertrain that’s perfectly suited to the CX-30. The six-speed manual gearbox remains an absolute joy to use, too. It’s a rare treat in a world that is increasingly dominated by automatic transmissions, and it genuinely enhances the driving experience.

27

What is also clear, from my time with the CX-30, is that urban fuel economy is not its strongest attribute. If your everyday driving takes in a mixture of roads, I’m confident that you could edge towards Mazda’s claim of a 47.1mpg average. But with my past few months solely taking in shorter, in-town journeys, I’ve been seeing around 34mpg – it’s not a deal-breaker, but it would be nice if the car eked out a few more miles to the gallon.

Yet seven months in, the CX-30 continues to exceed my expectations. Its combination of striking design, refined driving dynamics, practical features, and trouble-free ownership makes it a compelling choice in the crowded compact-SUV segment. And, of course, that Soul Red Crystal paintwork ensures it stands out in the most magnificent way.

Mazda CX-30 Homura: third fleetwatch

27

Our Mazda CX-30 makes navigating local towns child’s play

Roadworks in my local town mean I’ve had to use back streets and minor roads on the school run. The CX-30 is perfect for this, given that it’s zippy off the mark and simple to drive, with its raised ride height helping to navigate speed bumps more easily and offering a better all-round view.

The Homura specification features front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, so squeezing into tighter spaces is pretty effortless, too.

Mazda CX-30 Homura: second fleetwatch

27

Our Maxda CX-30 Homura is struggling to break 35mpg around the city

At around £28k, I think the Mazda CX-30 Homura is good value for money, which is just as well because its (mostly) urban fuel economy is struggling to better 35mpg. I’ll admit, I can be a touch leaden-footed at times, but in an age of petrol-hybrid efficiency, it’s a figure that may put some town-dwelling folk off. Personally, I don’t care, because the CX-30 is great to drive and really benefits from the extra torque of the new 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G engine.

Mazda MX-30 Homura: second report

Family life is messy, but our SUV keeps things neat and tidy

27

• Mileage: 1,755
• Economy: 34.9mpg

I must admit, I’m not always the best  at keeping my car looking its smartest, particularly in the winter. Instead, I subscribe to the in-fashion mud spatters and layers of grime that adorn many urban off-roaders. Whether the Mazda CX-30 holds the green-laning gravitas of a steel-wheeled Land Rover Defender in Heritage Green, I’m not sure, but for navigating the urban jungle, it’s a winner.

Anyone with a kids/dog family combo will know that getting from A to B can be a trial. There’s always more kit than you thought possible, while leisure trips often involve mud, sand and piles of wet coats. Then there’s the hairy mess of a hound to contend with. 

Fortunately, Mazda offers a wealth of accessories to help ‘family proof’ your car from daily bombardment. I chose a set of all-weather mats, a boot liner with bumper protection, and a boot organiser, and they’re all proving to be great value. In fact, our expert product testers have carried out an in-depth test of the best car boot organisers you can buy; if you’ve had enough of your luggage sliding about, it’s worth checking out.

Other additions I fancy include the spare wheel kit in place of the compressor and sealant, plus the Thule roof box, which will add an extra layer of practicality for road trips. However, the CX-30 comes with loads of standard equipment, and I think my mid-spec Homura is definitely the sweet spot in the range. It features smart 18-inch alloys, an automatic tailgate, keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors, and premium touches such as heated front seats, a head-up display, dual-zone climate control and wireless phone charging. It’s a hefty £3,500 step up to the top-of-the-range Takumi, so a few hundred pounds spent on some genuinely worthwhile accessories for my car seems a sensible way to finish off an already capable package.

Overall, I’m loving my time with the CX-30; it looks great and is easy to drive. Then there are little details like the DAB radio (something I’ve experienced glitches with in rival set-ups), which works perfectly and is easy to switch between stations, plus the brilliant High Beam Control that recognises oncoming vehicles in double-quick time when driving at night. It’s the best system of its type that I’ve used.

The six-speed manual gearbox continues to delight, and the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol engine feels stronger than its 138bhp output suggests. Mazda’s engineers have worked their magic on the chassis and suspension, too, because it’s surprisingly agile on a twisty B-road. One snag is that, around town, fuel economy is hovering at around 35mpg, which could be better – particularly because this is where most owners will spend their time.

But it doesn’t take much to look on the bright side with the CX-30; and with warmer weather on the way, and my handy accessories keeping things neat and tidy, I’m looking forward to some longer family road trips.

Mazda MX-30 Homura: first fleetwatch

27

The heated seats are causing some debate, but the CX-30 is otherwise performing well

The Mazda CX-30’s heated seats have three settings. In my opinion, the top one is hotter than the sun, yet as far as my wife’s concerned it’s the best thing ever. But we pretty much agree on everything else: the Mazda looks great, is enjoyable to drive and comes with easy-to-use onboard tech. Any downsides? Not really, but the powered tailgate is irritatingly slow to fully open, and turns me a little Basil Fawlty when I’ve got an armful of luggage.

Mazda MX-30 Homura: first report

27

Our compact SUV's driver appeal proves impressive

• Mileage: 1,145
• Economy: 36.7mpg

Mazda is a rather curious manufacturer. Never afraid to innovate and tread where others fear to go, it’s perhaps been a victim – certainly in terms of sustained UK sales – of its more individual approach to automotive design and technology.

With UK car registration data showing that SUVs are now the most popular cars in the country (dethroning the out-of-favour supermini), it’s important that every brand succeeds in this competitive segment. That’s why we’re putting Mazda’s smallest pure-petrol SUV, the CX-30, under the spotlight.

I’ll be running the stylish compact SUV for 12 months to see how it shapes up and how it copes with the rigours of family life. Mazda says the CX-30 epitomises ‘Jinba ittai’, which translates as “horse and rider as one”. It’s the approach Mazda’s designers and engineers base all their work on, so that everything falls easily to hand for the driver and responds as you’d like – promoting a comfortable, safe and enjoyable drive. Whether the CX-30 lives up to its billing remains to be seen, but early signs are good.

Based on the striking Mazda 3 hatchback, the CX-30 arrived in what, at least in my opinion, is the best colour Mazda currently offers. The Soul Red Crystal finish adds a touch of class and has already garnered nods of approval from friends and family.

I’m not sold on the black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and lower portions of the car, particularly because it’s hard to keep looking fresh. But I suppose it fits in with the raised ride height and slightly more rugged aesthetic compared with the 3.

‘My’ CX-30 comes in mid-range Homura specification and features Mazda’s new 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G mild-hybrid petrol engine, producing 138bhp and 238Nm of torque. Mazda says it offers better performance than the 2.0-litre unit it replaces, while reducing noise, vibration and harshness. Other efficiency-improving systems include Mazda’s i-Stop technology, which cuts the engine when you come to a halt, and cylinder deactivation that switches between four and two cylinders to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions at cruising speeds.

I must admit, I’ve found the set-up to be very smooth and well integrated, although my current average mpg is a little lower than anticipated, with most of my journeys being shorter urban trips. I’d expect the figure to rise closer to the WLTP average of 47.1mpg as the CX-30 adds more motorway miles.

The six-speed gearbox is a delight. The leather-wrapped lever looks ace and reminds me of the stubby version found in the Mazda MX-5. On the road it moves crisply between each gear, too – I didn’t have the CX-30 down as an exciting drive, but it’s a genuinely engaging experience. Despite this, I recently managed a 200-mile, four-hour trip and found the seats supportive, while good refinement made for a relaxing time at the wheel.

From a driver’s point of view, then, I think Mazda has done a fine job with the CX-30 – although some sterner family testing awaits, dealing with the demands of my two teenage children and chunky labrador.

*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.