One of the nice things about being on the presscar flow getting a brand-spankin’-new car every week. Sure, some of these new cars are better than others, but when your “daily” is a 30-something-year-old slammed import (as is the case for me), it’s hard to find fault with having something that just works.
One of the not-so-nice things about being on this flow is the knowledge that it will someday come to an end. And when that time comes, I’ll need to grow up and get a modern-day car, one with modern-day luxuries and—more importantly—modern-day safety features.
Oftentimes I’ll dream that that modern car is a turbocharged Mazda3 hatch. It’s gorgeous, quick enough for my needs, fun on a twisty road and comfortable enough for my daily, gridlocked commute. But it’s also low, and as the various dents in my skull remind me, I smack my head against its doorframe each time I try and get into one. So the sensible thing to do would be to get a turbocharged Mazda3 on stilts—in other words, something like what you see here: a Mazda CX-30 Turbo Carbon Edition.
This thing’s got style
While the CX-30 shares most key components with the Mazda3, this CUV still has its own distinct personality. Mazda’s Kodo design language just works, no matter the vehicle. And here in the CX-30 it effortlessly captures the radical sleekness of the Mazda3 hatch, but gives it a more mainstream twist.
I’m not not a fan of the Carbon Edition-exclusive Zircon Sand Metallic exterior and Terracotta interior, but it’s a bit too “overland-y” for my personal tastes. This Carbon Edition also gets 18-inch gloss-black wheels and black exterior accents, which while not my cup of tea, aren’t bad at all. But when Mazda offers the stunning Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint across its entire lineup, it’s hard to see why anyone would opt to get a CX-30 in brown.
An interior tailored to the driver
Like every other auto writer, I’m a fan of Mazda’s interiors. Beyond their simple and elegant design, the cabin of every Mazda proves that the brand still prioritizes the experience of driving over everything else. In the words of Mazda’s own designers, every important control needs to be immediately visible—and accessible—to the driver, so they intentionally rely on physical controls over touchscreens. Again, in their words, it’s this simple act of touch that helps the driver better connect with their vehicle.
That the touchpoints are nice to touch further prove this concept. Beyond the thin-rimmed steering wheel and nicely weighted controls, everything falls perfectly to hand. The speedometer may be a digital screen, but it mimics a traditional analog unit and is generally easy to read. Being among the fanciest of the CX-30 lineup, this Carbon Edition gets the 10.25-inch infotainment display, controlled here by a puck-style rotary dial. I know this is a hit-or-miss feature amongst other reviewers, but I personally love it. Its tactile feedback is second-to-none, and beyond not having to take my eyes off the road to perform simple infotainment tasks (like hitting that 15-second skip button in podcast apps), by keeping my hands off the screen, it no longer gets covered in my smeary greasy finger prints.
Similar to my views on the exterior, I’m not not a fan of this Carbon Edition’s Terracotta interior, but I’d love a simpler black with sportier red accents. And speaking of sporty, I’d love some additional side bolstering in those front seats as well—but that’s just me being picky.
This is why auto journos all seem to love Mazda
Full disclosure: I spent some time freelancing for Mazda USA’s ad agency in a creative role. Main reason I bring that up is, at least during my time there, I was told specifically that even so much as inferring “zoom-zoom” would be like dropping (two) four-letter words in front of the clients. While an amazing tagline, it no longer aligns with the brands current, premium vibe. And without the rowdiness of the MazdaSpeed vehicles, or the braaaap of the rotaries, it is safe to assume there’s not a lot of “zoom” in current-day Mazdas, let alone multiple zooms.
Though I couldn’t write the words “zoom-zoom” in any official marketing communications, one drive of the CX-30 prove they still live in the brand’s DNA. This crossover is just fun, with steering that effortlessly responds to every input and a chassis that loves to dance through corners.
Mazda may have just one sporty-ish drivetrain in its lineup, but it’s a good one: it’s the venerable 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. When drinking 93 octane gas, it can spit out 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Stuck with 87-octane fuel? No problem: this engine will still give you 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
This engine pairs well with Mazda’s one sporty-ish transmission: a 6-speed automatic with manual gear-shift mode. Despite the relatively low number of forward gears, this auto box proves that, with smart tuning, a well-balanced powertrain can provide brisk off-the-line acceleration, ample passing power, and comfortable cruising at speed.
But perhaps my favorite part about this transmission is that it’s one of the few to feature a manual gear-select lever that shifts the “correct” way. You know, pull back to upshift and push forward to downshift—just like what you’d find in a proper racecar. It’s just yet another data point that “zoom-zoom” remains a part of this brand’s core identity.
Final Thoughts
Outside of the offerings from Porsche, it’s rare to find a crossover designed by a team that so clearly cares about driving. And the Mazda CX-30 Turbo Carbon Edition is one of the few mainstream rides that aims to add utility to performance, rather than try to add performance to a vehicle designed for utility. This is a ride that gives a true hot-hatch-inspired driving experience in a package that’s not only easier to get in and out of, but one that also delivers premium comforts and wagon-like practicality. It makes for a solid daily, and for that, it also puts it on my own short list of vehicles to look at if, er when, I need to put a real car in my garage. Just make mine Soul Red Crystal Metallic, please.
Justin Kaehler has been covering all things automotive for 20 years, and has been an active part of the car scene for much longer than that. Though he’s grown to love all cars, he’s still particularly fond of the ’80s and ’90s Japanese metal he grew up on. And for those of you who grew up playing The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift game for the PS2 and PSP, yes, he’s also that JDM Justin.