intro
The Mazda CX-30 Carbon edition is a standout in the competitive compact SUV market, blending Mazda's Kodo design, simple-to-use tech, and great performance. Perfect as an everyday driver or for a weekend away of adventure, the CX-30 offers the perfect combination of style, comfort, and versatility. Let's get into the features that make the Mazda CX-30 a top choice for modern drivers, exploring everything from its eye-catching exterior to its driver-centric cockpit. The CX-30 is an experience waiting to be driven.
overview
I recently got to spend a few days with the Mazda CX-30 2.0L Carbon edition, in the beautiful city of Cape Town, and I'll tell you now that it stands out and beautifully at that. When I first set my eyes on it, the first thing that caught my attention was the colour, Soul Crystal Red, that together with the sleek, smooth curves really gives this car a presence.
It feels like a mini luxury SUV! Upon getting into the cockpit, I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious it was, the seats are comfortable and you have a simple control centre to handle the infotainment system and climate control. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a decent sound system, among other things.
Where the CX-30 really shines is in the driving experience. It's smooth, responsive and great for cruising along the highway or through the busy city streets and if safety is a factor for you, this car doesn't fall short on that either.
Read on to find out more....
exterior
Let's talk about the exterior of the Mazda CX-30 Carbon because, it’s one of the first things that drew me in. If you haven't heard of it yet, Mazda follows a Japanese philosophy called Kodo, which literally means "heartbeat" but is a way of expressing Japanese aesthetics of simplicity, sophistication and attention to detail. Kodo Design by Mazda is all about "breathing life into the car" and giving the car "soul."
If you want to know more about Kodo - Soul of Motion, CLICK HERE
Mazda has really nailed it with their Kodo aesthetic on this car.
The curved lines are sleek, smooth and provides a flow which makes the car look like it's in motion.
The front grille is pretty big and bold and those LED headlights give the car a sharp sporty feel especially with the chrome wing giving a unique accent to the front of the car.
One thing I love, as I mentioned before, is the choice of colours Mazda offers for the CX-30. The one I had on test was the gorgeous Soul Red Crystal that just stands out among other cars on the road and is a rare sight to see.
Let's talk about the wheels, where style meets performance. You get these stylish 18-inch black metallic alloy wheels that really complete the look. They add to that sporty feel and give the car a nice stance.
Other noticeable features are the gloss black side mirrors and black cladding that surrounds the car and the wheel arches.
Overall, the CX-30’s exterior is the perfect embodiment of Mazda's Kodo: Soul In Motion, design which highlights it's beauty and uniqueness.
It’s premium without being overly flashy, which I think makes it a great fit for just about anyone looking for a stylish ride that stands out in all the right ways.
interior
Let us step into the Mazda CX-30 Carbon, because the interior is incredibly comfortable and spacious, at least in the cockpit. Once you get into the driver’s seat, you will see just how well thought out everything is. It's an interior that feels both luxurious and practical. Sometimes you get into a car and you just don't know which button to push. I will mention though, that I'm not a fan of the shiny plastic which is very prone to fingerprints and light scratches.
The seats are comfortable and supportive – perfect for long drives or just running errands. They’re wrapped in high-quality materials that feel great to the touch. You will also notice the flow of the red stitching throughout the cabin, The doors flow seamlessly into the dash.
One of my favourite things about the CX-30 is the layout of the dashboard and controls. It's intuitive and easily accessible. The infotainment screen is set up in your line of sight and reduces the need to take your eyes off the road.
Speaking of the infotainment system, Mazda has made it very user-friendly, especially with the easily accessible Commander Dial. Whether you’re using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or the built-in navigation, it’s all really easy to navigate. The controls are simple and responsive, and the sound system produces quality sound, making your Spotify playlist just that extra bit enjoyable.
The only seemingly downside was when I took a seat in the back, the legroom could be a bit better.
The boot is pretty generous, which means you can pack in all your gear for a weekend getaway without any hassle.
The overall design is minimalistic but elegant, with everything serving a purpose and contributing to a clean, uncluttered look.
Ultimately, I enjoyed spending my time in the driver's set. It’s comfortable, stylish, and packed with features that make every drive a pleasure.
technology & features
One thing I love about new cars is all the tech and features available and Mazda does not fall short in the CX-30. It's got some pretty cool features that just make the drive a little more fun.
Mazda has an 8.8-inch display that’s easy to read and use and conveniently tilted to face you in the drivers seat. You've got access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can connect your smartphone through the available USB port (which subsequently charges your device) and access your favourite apps, music, and navigation right from the screen. You also have the option of connecting through Bluetooth but this will not make Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available, It's all controlled from the easily accessible Commander Dial which just feels great with the centre console arm rest allowing for comfortable use. There is also an additional GPS feature that needs to be installed with an SD Card to get navigation without the use of your phone.
If you love music just as much as I do, you’re going to appreciate Mazda's sound system. It's got a good range of sound and you can control the likes of your bass or treble from the Infotainment system just to customise it to your taste.
As with anything, safety is a big factor, and the CX-30 doesn’t skimp on this. The CX-30 has in fact won the 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award and has a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
You’ve got your standard airbags, 7 in total which includes a knee airbag for the driver and Dynamic Stability Control.
Other features include a Heads Up Display, which projects onto your windscreen to view your speed and Cruise Control activity and limits.
Smart Keyless entry. I basically kept the key in my jeans the whole time and the car would auto lock and open.
You've also got dual climate control, driver and passenger can control their own temperatures.
Front-rain sensing wipers, pretty self-explanatory.
Cruise control, which is great for long trips.
Park assist with cameras and sensors to help you get your car into the parking space safely.
A start-stop feature, i-stop, which turns the car off during a brief stint at the traffic light or in traffic. I did notice that the brake does need to be depressed ever so slightly more than you usually would for it to kick in. It does also let you monitor the time in which the feature was used during the trip.
The car also let's you examine it's fuel efficiency history with a nifty graph which you have access to through the infotainment system and it will tell you when your car is due for a service which is just a nice to have.
All in all the car has got everything you need for a daily driver.
performance
The Mazda CX-30 is fitted with a petrol, 6-speed, automatic transmission, 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine. This naturally aspirated engine pushes power output of 121kW and 213nM of torque which to me felt like enough.
It's handling is great with almost zero body roll and it feels agile with the front wheel drive.
Fuel efficiency is marked on paper at 6.6l/100km which is pretty low for a 2.0L engine. The i-stop definitely helps with the fuel efficiency.
Overall, the handling and driving experience, made me look forward to my time on the road with this car.
verdict
My experience with the Mazda CX-30 Carbon was an enjoyable one. I love how it looks, how it feels to drive and just the user-experience within the car itself. It's intuitively designed. The car comes in at R587,500, which is not cheap by any means but you are getting a car packed with features, safety and reliability as one would expect from Mazda. It also comes with a 5 year/unlimited km service and warranty plan.
