In a sea of small SUVs, the Mazda CX-30 is one of the biggest sellers. And amongst CX-30s, the
G20 Touring is one of the most popular choices. So let's spend some time with it and figure out why.
The CX-30 is the stylish meat in the Mazda SUV sandwich, between the smaller CX-3 and the larger
CX-5. It's been a hit since it first launched in 2020, right up with the MG ZS and Mitsubishi ASX
as one of the most popular models in the segment. And to be frank, it's a better car than either of
those two. There are cheaper CX-30s, and there are more expensive CX-30s. In fact, the CX-30
range is huge. The G20 Touring sits in a bit of a pricing and equipment sweet spot at about $40,000,
roughly speaking, by the time you get it on the road. The CX-30 comes with a competitive
five-year and unlimited kilometer warranty. But the drawback is a service plan with short
10,000 kilometer intervals, when many rivals have 15,000 kilometer service intervals. It means you
could be at the dealer twice in a year when owners of other brands might only visit once. Style is
one of the key Mazda CX-30 selling points. It marries the recognizable Mazda face with a much
shallower rear window than upright SUVs like the CX-3 and CX-5. That's complimented by standard 18
inch silver finish alloy wheels. The reason the CX-30 G20 Touring is called the G20 is because
it's got a two liter, four cylinder petrol engine. Spend an extra 1500 bucks on the G25 Touring,
and you get a 2.5 liter engine. Anyway, the G20 is made with a six speed auto and front wheel
drive. To be honest, this engine is not gonna blow your socks off when it comes to power or economy.
So jump in the driver's seat of the CX30 G20 Touring and you're immediately gonna appreciate
one of the car's great selling points. Its interior is simple, clean and elegant.
Everywhere you look and touch, the perceived quality is high. The seat size support and
adjustability is generous and the steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake. This is a
car with adequate rather than outstanding storage features, but what's here is nicely thought out.
The cup holders are out of the way, ahead of the gear shift. The litter bin slides to aid
comfort and there are sizable door bins. Like some other recent Mazdas, the CX-30 has a non-touch
infotainment screen. Instead it's controlled by this wheel and these buttons. Mazda says
it's to reduce distraction and therefore improve safety. I'm not sure though it's a 100% successful
strategy. I still find myself taking my eyes off the road too often. So while the infotainment
setup can make access a little bit clumsy, there is no shortage of features. Note though,
there is no wireless smartphone connection or charging. The instrument cluster is a traditional
collection of dials and gauges, but that doesn't make them outdated. Instead, Mazda decided to
reduce clutter to increase clarity. And you know what? It really works. The CX-30 G20 Touring
comes with a reversing camera and front and rear sensors. Allied with its small overall size, this
is an easy vehicle to use in tight spaces. The G20 Touring comes with all the safety essentials and
a five star ANCAP rating. But driver attention monitoring and a 360 degree camera are part of
a vision technology options pack. The CX-30 story is a bit less impressive in the back seat. While
headroom is pretty good, knee room for a 180 centimeter tall adult like me, is a bit tight.
There is limited storage and no USB plug-in points back here. But you do get adjustable aircon vents,
a fold-down armrest with cup holes and small door bins. There's only one seat back pocket.
At 317 liters, the boot is nothing to get excited about either. Now,
Mazda could have created more space by omitting the space saver spare tire. Thankfully it didn't.
Features are minimal back here. There are four hooks, a couple of recesses and a light. The
split fold at least enables you to carry a lot more luggage at the cost of rear passenger space.
But it's the space behind the steering wheel we're thinking about right now.
So let's take the CX-30 for a drive and see how it behaves.
Like all CX-30s, the G20 Touring is based on basically the same architecture as the current
Mazda3 small car. So you know the drive experience is going to be basically sound. Well, maybe not
all of it. Call the engine adequate rather than compelling. Its shortage of torque means it revs
hard and moves slowly up hills while spending a lot of time changing gears. It's definitely better
on the flat or downhill. The CX-30 G20 Touring has that typically nimble Mazda drive feel about it.
It likes corners and it has quick, light and accurate steering. Mazdas can be a bit terse in
the ride to aid handling, and the CX-30 is no different. On 18 inch rubber, the G20 Touring
emphasizes that a bit more. It's sharper than I like, on a rough road. Mazdas have a reputation
for being a bit noisy but it takes a steep hill or a course chip surface for engine or road roar
to invade the cabin. This is a pretty refined vehicle but not an especially frugal one. Our
average on test was 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers, and that's liters more consumed per 100 kilometers
than a hybrid Toyota such as a Corolla Cross would achieve in the same circumstances. Mazda is
falling behind here. When it comes to visibility, Mazda does sacrifice some practicality for style
in the CX-30. The side windows are pretty small and the view at the back is pretty compact.
So there are pluses and minuses in the driving experience. This is a car that feels great to
sit in, especially up front, but once you get rolling it's a bit more of a mixed bag.
If the struggles of the two liter engine don't bother you then the Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring's
cabin delights and overall refinement could be for you. But if you do feel like a bit more
power and performance, then remember the G-25 Touring is just that little bit further up the
spending ladder. It could be an investment worth making. Thanks for watching. Please
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