Mazda is a manufacturer that doesn't really work with big facelifts. Instead, they slightly update their car range every year.
That means we're already driving a 'facelifted' CX-30, even though it's only been around for two years. However, that does grant us the...
opportunity to compare it with the new Mini Countryman, which was facelifted last year and which we haven't tested since.
However, the update is incredibly minimalistic. Even for Mazda. The only difference on the outside is the badge, because there's an...
"E" in front of SkyActiv X. That "E" stands for mild-hybrid technology, but the funny part is that the CX-30 already had that technology aboard.
That really is the only cosmetic news. However, the SkyActiv X comes with a slight change under the bonnet as well.
It's slightly more powerful, with an increase of 6 horsepower and 15 Nm of torque, which brings the total to 186 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque.
It doesn't really sound interesting, 6 horsepower, and it isn't really. However, it's still a very important update.
That has two reasons. First of all, in the short time it's been in here, the CX-30 has become the most popular Mazda in the Netherlands.
Secondly, 94 percent of the buyers choose the more powerful SkyActiv X. I've asked Mazda, and they confirm those numbers.
And that's not a strange choice. It's only €1.000 more expensive, or a tad more nowadays, and for that money you get an additional...
60 horsepower and a car that's more economical than a SkyActiv G. On paper that is, because the SkyActiv X is supposed to be more efficient.
Right, 186 horsepower is quite a lot for a car like this. When you put your foot all the way down, it's pretty rapid as well.
However, for daily use, it's not always that great. First of all, despite the power and torque being available earlier than in a SkyActiv G,
it's not available as early as in an average turbocharged competitor. That means you have to rev quite a lot to access the power.
That's something you'll notice. When you're just driving through traffic, it's not that bad, but I wouldn't call it incredibly powerful or anything.
Also, in this case, the engine is connected to an automatic gearbox. It's something we've complained about before with Mazda. They probably...
make the best manual gearboxes in the world, but incredibly mediocre automatic gearboxes as well. And the gearbox in the CX-30 is no exception.
It's a traditional six-speed automatic gearbox, and there isn't really anything wrong with it, but it's just not alert.
If you want to overtake someone quickly, it has to think for too long. Also, you can very clearly feel the gear changes,
and other manufacturers have taken large steps when it comes to automatic gearboxes. Mazda has missed the boat, really.
I wouldn't pass on the car if I really, really wanted an automatic gearbox, but if it doesn't matter to you, you should go for the manual.
All engines and gearboxes aside, a CX-30 has a very good drive. Exceptionally good even in a segment like this.
The seating is very good and pretty low as well, so it's not really like an SUV. If you consider this car as an SUV, I would consider taking...
a long test drive with it and really look around you. There's not a big windscreen in front of you.
You do know what's happening underneath the car. The steering is almost perfect, it's easy to position the car, the chassis is nicely balanced,
the car remains steady on the road and it offers a lot of certainty. If you want, you can take certain corners at speed.
At the same time, it's very comfortable and it will process almost all of the imperfections in the road.
That adds to the feeling that this is a very solid and thoroughly developed car. Something that shows in other areas as well.
It's pretty quiet for example. There aren't a lot of wind noises making their way into the interior.
Then there's the interior. Nothing has changed in this facelift. In this version that is, because if you get a cheaper version, the blue...
strip on the dashboard will be replaced by a black strip. That makes the interior look a tad more neutral.
In here, it's a brown strip, because this is the luxurious version with leather upholstery.
It all looks incredibly good. The leather on the dashboard looks beautiful and they've even made the used plastics look good.
The build quality is great and it's clear that they've put a lot of effort into the design. For starters, it's incredibly original.
Just look at how the vents engulf the instrument cluster. Everything is built around the driver. However, at the same time...
it breathes ease. It's not been overdesigned in any way. And that seems to be Mazda's philosophy nowadays.
You can see that in something like the infotainment system as well, which is operated by a turning knob. It used to have touch controls as well,
when the car was stationary, but with the introduction of the CX-30 and the 3, they've let that touchscreen go.
Now, everything is done through the knob. That means you've got to get used to that, if you're already used to a touchscreen.
It also means the screen can be further away from you, because it doesn't have to be in range of your hands anymore.
It's nice and high up on the dashboard, almost perfectly in your line of sight. Also, because of the turning knob, you can select...
everything at the touch. You don't have to keep looking at what you're about to touch, which lets you focus on the road.
The system itself looks very clean. A black background with clear letters. It feels really calm, according to current standards.
And the instrument cluster is no exception. Three traditional and very clear dials, with the middle one actually being digital.
You can get it to show all kinds of car information like fuel consumption, but you can also get it to project arrows for your satnav or something.
According to current standards, it's relatively limited, but because of that, it's very clean and clear.
When it comes to ease in the interior, the Mini is all the way at the opposite side of the spectrum.
There are all kinds of colors in the interior, all kinds of materials, retro-buttons with chrome finishing, so it's very busy in here.
However, that's typically Mini. Design goes before everything here, but that does generate a very special atmosphere. Quite overwhelming.
So when you first get into this car, you'll be taking some time to figure everything out.
Despite all that, you'll manage. It's still BMW that has made a lot of the choices. However, keeping that in the back in your head,
there are some strange choices when it comes to button design and the function it has.
On the other hand, it's not that unlogical.
Then, the infotainment system. It works nice and quickly and you can operate it through a turning knob and a touchscreen.
After a short while, you'll be able to manage it all. It's not that bad but it will overwhelm you at first.
It's quite the experience to get into a Mini. That might have something to do with the feeling like you're in a big greenhouse.
The windscreen is quite far away from you and it looks to be straight up. Also, the windows are straight up as well.
That makes it feel very differently than the CX-30. The Mazda is more of a drivers car, in which you can sink away.
You don't have as much oversight in the CX-30. In here, there's more light and the seating is more straight.
It even feels smaller than the CX-30, whilst that difference isn't that big if we look at the hard numbers.
With the facelift, the Mini Countryman has received new rear lights with a Union Jack-design, which we already know from the hatchback...
and the convertible. Also, the front bumper has been changed. The interior has been taken care of as well.
The most important change is the situation in the big, round dial in the middle. Which isn't really a dial, but anyway.
It refers to the big dial from back in the day. Before the facelift, it used to have a big panel with all kinds of physical buttons.
Now however, it's all smooth with touch buttons. That looks better, but it's incredibly prone to smudges.
The moment you push a button on that panel, it will smudge, and that's something you will have to deal with.
In front of you, you'll find a digital instrument cluster, with an analogue rev counter. A funny detail really.
And you can view more information on it than on a regular instrument cluster. Nothing wrong with that.
Mini's are expensive, something that goes without saying, so for the price of a Mazda CX-30 SkyActiv X with 186 horsepower...
you can have a Mini Countryman Cooper. That's powered by a 1.3-litre 3-cylinder producing 136 horsepower.
That's a lot less than the Mazda, so you might expect the Mini to be down on power, but that it will make up for it with its handling.
The funny thing is, is that it's exactly the other way around. The engine is just fine. Sure, there's less power and that's something...
you'll notice when you put your foot down, but the torque is available much earlier than in the Mazda. We're talking 1.500 RPM here.
That means you'll be able to easily go with the traffic flow in most cases.
What helps as well is that this engine runs very smoothly. It never sounds or feels like it's out of breath and it keeps the revs low.
That means it feels much easier to go along in here. The Mazda seems to have to work a little harder to speed up.
What helps as well is the automatic gearbox. In this case, it's a double-clutch automatic gearbox, which isn't always necessarily better...
than a traditional automatic gearbox, but it is when I compare it with the automatic gearbox in the Mazda.
This is a very good gearbox that changes gear very quickly at the right times, so it's a very good match with this car.
I do have to say, there aren't any flappy paddles in this particular version. That's not necessary, but it's strange that it doesn't have them.
If you do want those, you'll have to order a Cooper S or a John Cooper Works.
Mini has a name to uphold when it comes to handling. A Mini is supposed to be playful and it's supposed to feel like you can...
peep through small spaces. That's what made this manufacturer great. And luckily, it delivers.
The steering is incredibly direct, much more direct than the Mazda. If you even look at the steering wheel, it already changes direction.
The car will remain stable for a very long time, because the chassis is very sturdy. However, it's not as nicely balanced as the Mazda.
Mini has clearly chosen for the playful personality. Notice the choice for the word 'playful', because I wouldn't call it sporty.
That's something else. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun to steer this Countryman around, but it feels a bit less grown-up really.
Because of that, it feels kind of neurotic on the motorway. All because of the direct steering.
There's a lot more movement in the body as well, so making it very playful comes with certain drawbacks.
I mean, the Mazda isn't worse or anything when it comes to steering, but it feels a lot more grown-up.
Also, it's less tiring when you take it on long journeys. However, I do have to say that I prefer the seats of the mini.
That's mostly because of the length of the seat, because that's just too short in the Mazda. On the other hand, you do have to get the optional...
Comfort-seats in the Mini.
At first sight, it might seem strange to compare a Mini Countryman to a Mazda CX-30. However, they share a lot of similarities.
Both focus on good driving abilities and both have an incredibly good-looking interior.
Even when you start looking at things like interior space, the difference is minimal.
Both when it comes to luggage space with either the rear seat folded away or in full glory, or when it comes to sitting in the back,
it's incredibly close. When it comes to price however, it's a tad more complicated.
I already mentioned it, but for a Mazda CX-30 with the Luxury-trim, with this engine, the automatic gearbox and all of the options,
you'll have to pay around €42.000. Not even near the pricing of the Mini. If you want a similarly equipped Countryman, you'll easily surpass €50.000.
With that, the Mini will remain a car that you choose with your heart, whilst the Mazda is a car that you buy because it scores very well.