The Mazda CX-30 range has grown and in addition to the standard petrol engine offerings it now includes a mild hybrid option. The M Hybrid component captures and stores energy in a lithium-ion battery and this is then used to power electrical systems and provide additional torque.
The CX-30 is small SUV that fits between the CX-3 and the CX-5 in the Mazda vehicle range and I recently spent a week with the CX-30 G20e Evolve fitted with the M Hybrid technology. The G20e Evolve is front wheel drive, with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 2.0 litre, in-line 4-cylinder, petrol engine with 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque. Even though the G20e Evolve does have a Sport mode, I couldn’t perceive any changes to the way the CX-30 behaved when I engaged it. Mazda recommends the use of 91RON or higher petrol and the CX-30 is also E10 compatible. The official combined fuel consumption is 6.3 l/100km and for my week I used 10.9l/100km.
The CX-30 G20e Evolve was a pleasant car to spend my time with and had a comfortable drive and adequate power from the engine. I was easily able to find my ideal driving position with the 10-way electric powered adjustment on the driver’s seat that operates the recline, forward/back movement, seat cushion height front and rear, 2-way lumbar support and there are two memory positions. The passenger seat only gets manual adjustment controls for recline, forward/back and seat height.
The G20e Evolve blends the use of cloth and leather within the interior, with cloth seats and the steering wheel and gear selector covered with leather. One interior feature I was not keen on the were the blue highlights on the arm rest and door trims as I thought they were a bit out of place and would have looked better in black.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the CX-30 range, with other media sources including AM/FM radio, DAB+, Bluetooth and USB inputs. There are two USB ports and a 12V outlet under the arm rest, which moves back and forwards, to connect your phone and charge it. The G20e Evolve also comes with dual zone climate control and advanced keyless entry with keyless go, so there is no need to take the key out of your handbag to get into the CX-30 and start it, which is very handy. Leaving your hands free to place your morning coffee in the cup holder at the front of the centre console and your drink bottle in the good-sized storage cubby in the front door.
The 8.8-inch colour widescreen display infotainment screen is not touch sensitive and you navigate it using the rotary controller on the centre console, which has matt black plastic around it. I prefer this as you don’t end up with a screen covered in finger marks. Voice control is also available and activated by pressing the button on the steering wheel with the masculine looking silhouette on it. For me the voice control worked well for entering a destination on the sat nav and changing the radio station, but was a bit hit and miss when I tried to use it to make a phone call.
I found the head room to be acceptable in the rear seats, but the leg room was tight for me, so taller individuals may find it to be uncomfortable. There are two ISOFIX/three rear tether child seat restraint points, but in reality, only enough room for two car seats due to the overall seat width. The centre seat can be folded down as an arm rest with two cup holders in the front of it that have grippy sides and there is also good-sized drink bottle storage in the rear door cubbies as well. Rear passengers get two central rear air vents with manual air speed on/off and direction controls, but no USB ports. My CX-30 has the optional floor mats, but these do not include a mat that goes over the transmission tunnel, so the carpet here may wear over time from children scrambling across it.
The tailgate is power assisted for opening only and is closed manually by pulling the tailgate down. The boot size is adequate for a weekly shop or a pram and a small shop or if more space is required the rear seats have 60:40 split fold mechanism. There are two tie down points and a light in the boot and a space saver spare tyre under the boot floor.
All CX-30 variants from February 2020 onwards have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (2019) with an Adult Protection score of 37.6 out of 38 (99%) and a Child Occupant Protection score of 43.2 out of 49 (88%). There are a total of seven air bags being for front (driver and passenger), side (front), knee (driver) and curtain (front and rear). The G20e Evolve also gets 360o view rear view camera with front and rear sensors, high beam control, auto lights and rain sensing wipers.
The CX-30 G20E Evolve comes with a long list of active safety features including Blind Spot Monitoring, Emergency Brake Assist, Smart Brake Support Forward (with pedestrian and cycle detection) and Rear Crossing, Forward Obstruction Warning, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Lane-keep Assist System. The overall score for ANCAP Safety Assist score on the CX-30 range is 9.95 out of 13 (76%).
ANCAP tests of the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system for the CX-30 range in highway speed scenarios showed GOOD performance with collisions avoided or mitigated in all scenarios and overall, effectiveness of the AEB system performance in highway speed scenarios was rated GOOD. ANCAP Tests of Lane Support System functionality for the CX-30 range showed some GOOD performance, however the system does not intervene in more critical emergency lane keeping test scenarios.
All new Mazda vehicles are backed by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty plus five year’s Mazda Premium Roadside Assistance. The CX-30 service intervals are every 12 months or 10,000kms, whichever comes first. The cost for the first five basic services on the CX-30 G20E Evolve is $1,732 based on figures available on the Mazda Australia website.
The addition of mild hybrid technology on the CX-30 G20e Evolve delivers progress towards a more energy efficient vehicle fleet for Mazda. Prices for the Mazda CX-30 G20e Evolve start at $36,040 plus on-road costs and as tested with optional carpet floor mats ($197) the Snowflake White Pearl CX-30 G20e Evolve that I drove was $36,237 plus on-road costs. Build and price your CX-30 on the Mazda Australia website or visit your preferred Mazda dealer to learn more about the CX-30 range.
| Pros | Cons |
| Inclusion of the mild hybrid technology | The blue trim highlights in the cabin |
| Advanced keyless entry and keyless go | Rear leg room is tight for adults |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across range | Voice control hit and miss for making phone calls |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.