Class leader no more? 2023 Mazda CX-30 review: G25 Astina | Why old engine holds VW T-Roc rival back

[@ayfj4572]

Old school is good. Give me this tried and true combination of naturally aspirated (non-turbo) and 6-speed torque converter auto any day over a CVT/DCT. This drivetrain has a great record of reliability, something that the newer drivetrains are yet to prove.

[@msBatFink]

hear hear!

[@davidwright1752]

Nice review however this guy know very little about cars at at all. CVT transmission like driving a car with a slipping clutch DCT are really a manual transmission that can get confused in traffic, Ford Focus had issues and $14 k transmission repair scary Repair cost of turbo engine that have shorter live very expensive. So he dismissed the Holy grail of Engines bullet-proof dismissed bullet-proof transmission with a vehicle that will probably do 300,000 k’s To 500,000 k’s no problems at all.The only CVT transmission that’s Bullet-proof are the Toyota They Have a ultra reliable CVT transmission due to the unique design technically as evidence by taxis using Prius or Camry hybrid. Another vehicle that has no problems doing 500,000 k’s plus ultra reliable could imagine he would totally dismiss LS 400 or LS 500 Lexus that I’ll technology really does 800,000 k’s who needs reliability as the saying goes fuel is the cheapest thing to put in a car.

[@ayfj4572]

@@davidwright1752 Correct, although the CVT transmissions in the Toyota hybrids, because of the configuration with the electric motors, are planetary gear type transmissions. They have more in common with a manual transmission layout than a mechanical CVT. That's why they are so reliable, I believe, with virtually nothing to go wrong and no clutches.

[@RodneyW]

Too many car reviewers ignore reliability, longevity and ease of maintenance in their reviews. Some seem to be overly enamoured with touchscreen technologies, which distract drivers from their core job. (BTW - I use Siri in CarPlay to do almost everything in my Mazda 3. Siri is excellent at opening apps, setting up navigation and playing music).

[@timmy3981]

Find this as my perfect car since i prefer comfy over speed or all of that kind of staffs. I also love real buttons coz i hate to do touchscreen for climates controls or volume controls. The exterior and interior are stunning too.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Sorry but I disagree. I have a 2020 Mazda 3 G25 GT & this is the best car I have have ever owned hands down. The engine & transmission are a great match. Give me a normal non turbo engine & proper 6 speed torque converter auto any day of the week over small wheezy turbos & horrible clunky DCTs.

[@arxllano]

Second this!

[@davidwright1752]

Hundred percent agree bit worried about how much this guy knows about cars

[@theaustralianconundrum]

He's maybe 25 years of age?@@davidwright1752

[@RodneyW]

I have a 22 Mazda 3 G25 Astina *manual* - which is even more "old school".... and fun!

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@RodneyW Ours is a CX-30 2.5 FWD auto Astina and it's Lexus quality. Just sublime.

[@paulreaney-sygrove6751]

We love our CX30 it is a beautiful classy and has a fantastic build quality It drives well and the safety kit is very impressive in the UK we get the 2 ltr and it is good on the UK roads The infotainment system is brilliant the use on a none touch display works very well as it keeps your eyes on the road and the head up display is great We are so happy with the Mazda CX30 the rear is a bit small but we don't have children so that's great for us The CX30 drives well and holds the road very well it is a good drivers car and it'd premium quality If you want quality a good ride and good overall class then buy a CX30 we love it Bear Hull UK

[@markgrondek5311]

My 2 issues (as an owner), the ride can be harsh on average roads & the windows are short (or is the door metal high). Some might think it’s cozy, but when swapping between cars, they are the 2 things that take the most getting used to.

[@cityplanner3063]

Agree

[@pauld6556]

Editing error: 1:14 8 inch touch screen, then 3:32 it isn’t a touch screen. Mazda doesn’t use a touch screen infotainment across their range any more. Controlled by the rotary dial. I feel there is a sense of negativity towards the use of the 2.5 naturally aspirated engine, paired with a regular 6 speed auto. Give me that any day over the CVT/dual clutch electronically controlled junk in most cars now. Mazdas setup out lives them all.

[@arxllano]

Well said! Second that last part. The newer transmissions are yet to prove their reliability.

[@-Jakob-]

Touch screen (will be 10.25") is coming back with the 2024 model.

[@pankat5698]

The interior of this mazda cx30 is ticking all the boxes!

[@Greggie_D]

Nice review but that thing is $48,000 rrp drive away. I spent $13,000 less and bought the Auto Pure. Plenty of tech and enough oomph from the 2.0l. Better on fuel than the 2.5l too. Replacing my 2017 Mazda 3 Neo manual. So much quieter and much more safety gear. Feels like luxury compared to the old 3. Easier getting in and out with that slightly higher body. All those extras are nice but not 13 grand’s worth.

[@scottallison2296]

Wife picked up a CX30 Evolve in soul red last week. Loves the car but finds the tech daunting after 6 years in a Honda HR-V. Looks terrific as well

[@arielfrancisleathem3280]

Love the cx-30 and have to agree with it feeling really premium. When it first launched we considered one but couldn't bear the extra cost. But now prices are similar it's on my list for next time

[@damo5701]

I was initially keen on the cx-30 when shopping for a new car at the start of the last year. It was near top of my list as supply was not an issue unlike most other cars I was keen on. Then I test drove a G25 Astina awd. The interior, materials and build quality was top notch, impressive, however the braking performance was poor, the engine adequate for the job but a bit uninspiring and the ride and handling compromise whilst fine (I don't mind a slightly firmer setup) did not match my expectations based on a couple of reviews I had read. It didn't feel particularly light on it's feet nor chuckable, perhaps the fwd is better as awd version had a heavy hefty feel to it.

[@kevinbunter977]

Great review not everyone wants every bell and whistle and we all don’t live in the inner city suburbs so knowing a car drives great at highway speeds is important for a lot of us

[@nobass_stub1394]

Gotta love the way you say that the infotainment system controls are difficult let alone enter a navigation field or something? ... yeah its called a hot key next to the dial AND try voice commands through the phone!.... its the 2020's for pity sake!

[@nota-fj8qo]

Thanks Tom (and CarsGuide) for this great, informative, and dare I say pragmatic, review.

[@joepowell7025]

I'll take the Mazda over any other car any day. Much much more reliable than the VW for a start !

[@theaustralianconundrum]

This kid knows nothing. This Astina is actually a late 2022 "production" model and is way behind the late 2023 revised models for 2024. This review needs a lot of clarification because it's simply wrong. He has it so wrong with the infotainment dial allergy as well. Touch screens are NOT the way forward.

[@slavstojnic7279]

Honestly it’s a great car and that’s a great review, but let me just say Damn Tom you are looking fine! Thanks for great review

[@rc70ys]

Good car but too thirsty 8.9/100km LED headlights BUT halogen park lights ! Go figure ! Comfortable

[@samk.9972]

I test drove this same model. Things I didn't like: 1. Brakes are stiff and weak 2. Engine noise when drivings uphill drove me nuts. Mazda should add more sound insulation pads between engine bay and cabin. I've done some research and it seems people having problems with battery and other sensors in the car.

[@alwaystmoza]

The 12 speaker Bose system is amazing ❤

[@kenphillips7594]

Honda has potentially huge vehicles in the HRV and ZRV but it's reduced to only the hybrid $46000 version of the HRV and safety featureless ZRV,. Honda Australia could be knocking it out of the park but its stupid business model that removed both some of its best dealers and their incentive to sell cars and their utterly inexplicable pricing and bundling decisions relegate them to insignificance.

[@wrigzzx]

With my previous experience with mazdas no rattles unlike my skoda kamiq that sounds like it is ready to fall apart.

[@ausspace87]

Do you find the brakes on these new generation Mazdas lack pedal feel and progression? I reckon the brake pedal feels so wooden…

[@disruptioninworldcommunica4857]

What do you mean wooden? The pedals in CX30 are great. Weighty and with very linear progression. Nothing like the mushy and feeling-less pedals in some competition like KIA, Toyota or WV.

[@ZacharyT94]

When I was deciding what Mazda to buy, the limited space of the CX-30 is what led my to go for my CX-5. The CX-30 isn’t designed so much for taller drivers, especially not for taller passengers if they need to get in the back. It’s a nice car with a good interior but I couldn’t live with it day to day.

[@d.j.z.j]

Agree

[@d.j.z.j]

Its tiny n looks so cramped the mazda 3 looks bigger lol

[@peterpanousis8458]

Have Mazda done anything to improve the brakes? They were horrible when we tested it.

[@davidcooksey1390]

Mechanical simplicity = reliability

[@trentmorris2502]

The lack of touchscreen is annoying to the point of not buying a Mazda. I have the Mazda 3 and to scroll endlessly just frustrates me. Mazda is off my list for the next time

[@-Jakob-]

touch screen (will be 10.25") is coming back with the 2024 CX-30 model.

[@RodneyW]

Try using voice control in CarPlay or Android Auto. It will change your world. You can tell it to open apps, or give you directions, and it is very, very good at getting right.

[@ricfernandez2150]

Great review

[@NonchalantWalrusParty]

"dazzle you in your eyes" - where else can one be dazzled?

[@DronieUp]

Looks great but it’s being passed by.

[@d.j.z.j]

Tiny car and dont rate it tbh ( imo) i own mazdas too

[@Gerald0613]

Satnav is not touchscreen

[@DJAYPAZ]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail of the video I stopped and clicked on do not recommend this channel.

[@che2335]

Infoshainment

[@msBatFink]

who cares about admissions 🙄

[@arielfrancisleathem3280]

First