Mazda is hands down one of the most well-rounded car companies that has graced the mainstream car-loving public with its rides. The company has some of the best sports cars and sedans, as well as their industry standard-setting crossover SUVs like the CX series. Mazda has amassed trust from the car-buying public and has done so by steadily building on the quality of its rides, without the cars ever feeling too jam-packed with gadgets.
One of the company's most recent compact crossover SUVs is the Mazda CX-30, which made its debut for the 2020 model year. For 2022, it sees only a few minor changes, such as AWD being made standard across the line and a new "Carbon Edition" with a unique color scheme. Mazda designed the CX-30 to be a fun-to-drive yet practical crossover with plenty of performance and convenience. Not only that, but this car has a starting price tag that won’t break the bank like some of its biggest competitors, According to Kelly Blue Book, this small crossover from Mazda starts at just $22,200.
There has been a lot said about this sporty SUV already, but here’s why we love the 2022 Mazda CX-30.
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Is A Fast SUV
Mazda is a company that’s known for producing high-performance cars on different platforms. As such, this new crossover offers plenty of power and speed, provided one springs for one of the turbocharged trim levels. As is with typical with new cars these days, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 offers a few different power options. However, most trims are powered by a 2.5 liter, DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine making a respectable 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. It sends the power to a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
The turbocharged version of that engine makes 227 hp and 310 lb-ft, but if you use 93 octane gas, the output jumps to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft. Fuel economy rates 26 mpg combined for the base engine and 25 mpg combined for the turbocharged version. Those figures are about 4 to 5 mpg less than the CX-30's typically less powerful rivals, but it's hard to beat the performance of the company that once had the tagline of “zoom zoom.”
The 2022 Mazda CX-30 Is Stacked With Technology
Another reason why we love this car so much is the interior features. This has become a normal trait of Mazda - - ensuring that the inside of its cars not only feels upscale but that they feel advanced and state of the art. One area where Mazda has always succeeded, and here is no different, is the sound system. Upper trims feature a Bose 12 speaker sound system that’s sure to blow your socks off while cruising down the road.
As for infotainment, this crossover SUV comes with an 8.8-inch display that’s operated either through the multifunction control knob or via voice. Apple CarPlay / Android Auto integration is also supported, which makes it easier for users to access maps, play music from their preferred streaming services, and find contacts.
This is also a safe vehicle with a varying level of safety features. If you go with the Premium Plus Package you'll get traffic jam assist, parking sensors, and smart brake support. Even without this upgraded package, the base CX-30 boasts forward collision warning/mitigation, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
The 2022 Mazda CX-30: Final Thoughts
This is an all-around great vehicle from Mazda, which is not surprising because the company hasn't had very many duds to speak of. The 2022 CX-30 continues this trend of excellence from the company and brings a new small crossover worthy of buying in 2022. As usual for Mazda, this is an incredibly stylish ride that looks as sporty as it performs.
The great thing about cars like this is that they are designed to have multiple purposes. Sure they can be your typical family car, but it has a kick to it that begs to be pushed. This makes for a fun, yet practical vehicle that's ideal for gearheads who want a swift vehicle that can serve daily driver and family car duty as well. It's no wonder that Mazda has had such great success.