Mazda CX-30 Puts Big Fun In Small Crossovers (But How's The Price?)

[@redmusichouse]

I just can’t get over how thick that cladding is. Throws the proportions right off and makes the wheels look tiny. Btw, great review as always, Tom!

[@Fordham81]

Thanks Tom! I have been awaiting this review since I saw these hit the showroom. I'm a Mazda fan (2016- MX5 and 2016 6 in the driveway), and was checking out the CX-30 when a friend was picking up her CX-3. Love the size and styling, and I know these will be indestructible! Like everything- plans delayed until the world gets normal again. Stay safe!

[@davidwolf226]

Mazda has really done a nice job with their recent designs. This particular model is very attractive. Thanks, Tom.

[@mtunofun1]

The fade out turn signals are a nice luxury touch.

[@nattga]

Good call, Tom. No TP trunk test for now. 😂

[@silentrefusal9911]

Love love love you and your work Tom. Please don't ever think about leaving us.

[@rustlesee]

I'm enjoying that we call these "crossovers" now. There was a time, when they first rolled out, journalists and marketing folks tried to call them "SUVs". That, I didn't understand. So, thank you for embracing crossover! Atleast in the naming. 👍🏻

[@anthonyc8499]

Hey Tom, I'm looking forward to the Costco TP test coming back. In the meantime, thanks for the content and keep it coming. Definitely need it these days!

[@tousshong9438]

Do you know why Tom can't do the TP test? There's none to be found at Costco since everyone hoarder all it and none to be found. LOL

[@ulfathsadia6115]

Just bought one. Going to get it delivered tomorrow.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Tom, you are a great communicator. Thank you for continuing to post content. We won't have the New York International Auto Show in April; it was postponed until August. I hope it still occurs because it is one of our favorite venues to go to.

[@acchaladka]

The Javits Center in NYC - where the NY show is held - is being transformed into a 1,000-bed clinic by the Army Corps of Engineers today / tomorrow. August might not happen either, depending on how many die.

[@rosaphilosoph]

beside the great review (like always) i want to thank you very very much for keeping your channel running tom! for me it’s a little bit normality in this crazy situation we are all facing! best regards from germany and all the best for all of us!

[@six-pack1332]

We just bought one of these and so far, we love it! 😀 We got the one just below the premium model (used).

[@ElijahsAba]

Tom, you’re the best - seriously. Please ‘em coming but only as long as it’s safe for you (and Martin?) to get out and do them. As for the car: it’s the Goldilocks Mazda.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I had an opener with Martin and myself in the car joking about risking our lives to do these reviews but it's just not the time to goof around with this stuff. I know people who have it. It can be brutal. And I figured EVERYONE used the Goldilocks line so I didn't go there.

[@SjoerdBeun]

Such clear and relaxed presentation Tom. Your reviews are always a pleasure. Pretty Mazda this btw.

[@Tmrfe0962]

Thanks Tom, as always a great video with thoughtful commentary. Stay safe.

[@marty-bird]

Thanks Tom for your excellent continued car reviews. I have enjoyed them for years.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Thanks Marty!

[@momonyak]

One of my favorite car reviewers.

[@wilmotown]

This thing is WAY bigger in person than it looks in pictures. Admittedly I was walking around one in a dealership, so that doesn’t help the size impression, but this thing is REALLY long for a smaller-than-a-CX-5 sized car. If not actual size, it certainly gives the size impression from up close.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

The 30 is about perfectly slotted in between the CX-3 and CX-5. 5 inches longer than the 3, 6 inches shorter than the 5. And really, the CX-5 is on the smaller side for its class.

[@seanjones2753]

I would drive one of these way before the list of class comparisons that you gave at the end. This looks so much nicer than an HR-V in particular.

[@lisaw7633]

The cladding doesn't look so off with the dark grey color. I luv it regardless

[@stevekinney7423]

Thanks Tom. Very informative review. Wonderful to view your interesting videos now that we are in lock down in NZ.

[@schwartzezra]

Love your work, Tom! And as much as I love the ingenious TP test, I appreciate your sensitivity to the optics, and the wrong message it might communicate in these terrible times. To Health!

[@timblaker7138]

There is the wisdom of self preservation giving the t.p. trunk test a brief furlough. Modern day thoughts of the village residents heading your way with the torches and lattes comes to mind. Tom, thanks again for your brevity and good work.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Torches? To keep the coffee warm maybe?

[@timblaker7138]

@@DrivenCarReviews Mazda could find a way.Only $500 charge.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@timblaker7138 Well, there are heated cupholders...

[@timblaker7138]

@@DrivenCarReviews Dont get out much.

[@tommihelich2613]

Because you mentioned the wheels Tom I have a question? Do larger wheels = better handling? We already know the resulting narrowing of the tire sidewall results in a firmer ride and more road noise. And the larger wheel/tire combination is heavier plus the tires cost more to replace. So besides looking nicer can you slice through those corners quicker on the way to Costco?

[@ghosher]

Another great review Tom. Keep it up. And be safe !

[@chuckwalla2967]

You should get this car, Tom. It fits you well, and you look good in it.

[@wizeguiz]

Great review and glad to hear you're OK! 😊

[@grahambarnes7325]

Thanks Tom I enjoyed the test, i would always prefer the Mazda 3 because it's lower and better looking (better handling, lower center of gravity makes sense to me) but I like how Mazda makes all these cars enjoyable and economical and still last a long time. I think in the end though I'd be very tempted to buy electric or hybrid instead when we trade in the Yaris we have right now.

[@PAK_RS]

Thumbs up for teh Barton Fink feeling!

[@sammyt3514]

This is probably the only color I'd buy the CX-30 in just because it minimizes the visual effect of that comically large plastic cladding on the sides/wheel arches. But even then, I prefer the looks of the Mazda CX-3/CX-5, or the Mazda 3 hatchback, to this.

[@worrywart1311]

I'm going the opposite direction color-wise and getting one in platinum quartz with burgundy interior (both new for 2022 in some markets). If you can't hide the plastic cladding I reckon the next best thing is to make a feature of it.

[@markdenney4938]

Agreed. Good Call. No TP.

[@donswier]

Why, you ask, Tom? The Virgil Exner era (longer, lower, wider 1958-2008) is over. We're finally back to car proportions that offer good ingress/egress, chair-height seats and visibility. How 'bout that?

[@miguelircontar]

Tom u should have wayyy more subscribers love your work and quality

[@rrt08]

Costco “TP hoarder, get him. “ Actually it was nice seeing real luggage put into the boot.

[@NovieBigSad]

Great review, Tom!

[@dsugioaga]

The plastic cladding really does seem a bit much - especially on the wheel arches. Not sure, what the rationale was behind this design decision.. maybe Mazda wanted to save paint..?? Just kidding.... Personally, I'd go with the Mazda 3. Functionally, it seems to be pretty much the same vehicle (minus some ground clearance but with better MPG and handling instead). But this is crossover/SUV land, so I'm sure the CX-30 will do better than the 3.

[@Jluislive]

Good point about the cx4 name.

[@stephenhendricks103]

"That Barton Fink feeling..." ROFL. Brilliant, Tom. Unfortunately for Mazda the CX-30 wasn't selling well even before the catastrophic effects of COVID-19. Not sure why. Perhaps it's that one never gets a second chance for a good first impression and the abysmal sales of the CX-3 in the US poisoned the well as far as the CX-30 is concerned. If so, perhaps Mazda should have bitten the bullet and gone with the CX-4 moniker. Add the formidable competition from the KIA Seltos with its 1.6L turbo engine and much greater interior space in a vehicle the size of the CX-30 and things don't look good for Mazda's sub-compact crossover. Finally, the absence of braille markings on the key fob is a significant negative for blind drivers, a major market category at least in Seattle. :)

[@ForgotToMentionThat]

Excellent review as always. Good call with the tissue.

[@shomgerry]

I'm buying this in a few years 😌🙏🏿

[@haze1123]

Another great review. Mazda builds nice stuff, but I think the lack of a touch screen is costing them sales. They say the dial knob is safer, but I don't think people want any learning curve with their new cars.

[@singingLeaf123]

There is no heated rear seats in the rear center cup holder/armrest area?

[@seanjones2753]

Man, "It Fits In the Trunk" would have been a rough equivalent for one of my all time Letterman favorites: "Will It Float?" Definitely don't want to see if the CX-30 floats, though..

[@Sanpedranoazul]

I hope when that woofer needs to be changed, you don't have to dismantle the whole dashboard, like the Q7 does when you need to change the AC compressor

[@ldodom]

God be with you and your precious family, Tom🕊✨

[@davidg4026]

Are those cup holders in the engine cover optional? 2:12

[@cornelcristea9818]

Good one!

[@bhmbill]

You failed to maintain 6’ separation from yourself! Does that count? You are one of the two best auto reviewers enjoy everyone of them.

[@TEDdotcom]

1:01 My thoughts exactly! There’s a different Accord in every continent and Honda is fine with that. Not Mazda though. Hopefully they’ll use more double numbering in their future vehicles.

[@NevadaFederalBites]

Great review! They should have brought the cx-4 over the US....unless they don’t think the wagon shaped liked vehicle wasn’t going to sell well?

[@papagen00]

does it drive and handle better than the E-Pace?

[@patmoitry4397]

Hang in there, Tomy. The wave is still rising and God knows where it will take us... The good news is: there will still be cars in our "new world" coming up! ;-)

[@thompson63]

No braille buttons on the key phob. Lol.

[@brysonmblackwell]

Love your videos Tom!

[@sharimanbinzainalabidin9288]

The model you driven is Machine Grey ?

[@pappaslivery]

The problem with the 3 is its very cramped in the rear. Also it's quite claustrophobic. I'm still in base GTI or loaded elantra GT for my leading hatches

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yes, it is tight in back. For singles and couples that's not an issue.

[@سیدمهرانمیرابوالقاسمی]

Mazda is love

[@epbrown01]

The cladding around the wheels is silly. It's supposed to say "rugged" in Design Language, but nothing else about the car is trying to sell a rugged off-road image so it looks out of place. Leaving it off would have made the car look more upmarket, since the Macan, Q-series, X-series and GL-series don't use that either.

[@princeyi17]

Mazda is the best

[@paulm6481]

It is not as weird looking as new Mazda 3 hatch with egg like design. This will sell because it looks good, is easier to get in and out because higher than 3, and back room of 3 hatch is a joke. This will sell even if priced a little too high in comparison to RAV-4.

[@bw6415]

This isn’t in the same class as the RAV-4 so they shouldn’t be compared. Compare it to the Toyota CH-R instead which is a direct competitor. The Mazda costs a little more but the interior materials and design and the superior handling and driving dynamics are worth the extra money.

[@palskito]

what is the name of the coler ?

[@martinkleinman2522]

eh...i'd opt for the cx5 with the turbo engine. or maybe a dealer demo x1?

[@jimmullenberg]

Looks like Pacific NW Renton or Bellevue Wa

[@davidkaminski615]

Instead of TP maybe you can use plastic storage containers or printer paper boxes?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I have ideas...

[@buickboy92]

Can't you just use voice control to input addresses into the navigation, instead of using the rotary dial?

[@tousshong9438]

Mazda should have kill the poorly slum sale of the CX-3 and call this one the revised CX-3 since it is larger. Yeah, like you've mention, it should be call CX-4 is more appropriate. Nice review... too bad no TP at Costco for you to use this time. Damn TP hoarder.

[@Guvb235]

It’s called CX-30 because future Mazda SUVs will be called CX-_0. CX-5 will become CX-50, etc.

[@acemacgruber6593]

As a Mazda owner of one of their zoom-zoom era cars, I'm not sold on their new strategy going upmarket.

[@davidjym]

The Crosstrek is almost the same size as the CX-30 but provides more interior space and proven AWD system .....

[@Lucky8s]

With the CX-30 you're getting a more powerful engine, a traditional automatic, and a very premium interior for the price.

[@sportsMike87]

Think they could of used less plastic cladding

[@andrewkolb2527]

Tom can you review the new Genesis suv? My wife loves it.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

It's not out and the automakers have shut down all launches for the next month or two. So it's going to be awhile. I've seen it in person though. Very promising.

[@nattga]

Mazda should have just renamed CX-3 to CX-2 and give this vehicle the proper CX-3 name.

[@acchaladka]

God the infotainment. C’mon Mazda...at least let us fold it down and away. That Infotainment is the reason I don’t own an mx-5 or Fiata.

[@robertwilliam9558]

That large black plastic around the entire car is a deal breaker. The CX-5 only has a small black plastic.

[@garybrownell]

I understand that ads may be necessary to pay the bills. But 3 ads randomly interrupting a 12 minute video may be too much. Not only did these ads hit mid-sentence, they actually hit mid-word. Can you work something else out with KZbin? This price may be too much to pay for a free video....

[@camilogomezkeep2324]

0:12 not humans, Americans. The rest of the globe it's still into HBs.... 0:54 The CX-4 name is not put to use in the rest of the world because rumor says that Mazda is planning of renaming all of it's SUVs. CX-3: CX-20; CX-4: CX-40; CX-5: CX-50; CX-9: CX-90-

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Actually, the Aisan and Europe markets have all seen swings toward SUVs and crossovers (they're just smaller in those markets). And yes, I've heard of the nomenclature shift rumor but I could go down the rabbit hole with all of that stuff.

[@robertsparks3584]

Nice but assembled in Mexico so at 30k someone getting ripped off

[@catsspat]

I saw one at a Costco (of all places) a week ago. Belt line is too high (and therefore windows are too slitty).

[@alexmobil7463]

Great looking car very well made but my biggest fear is this extremely technically overloaded engine and that makes my knees rattle like they need an immediate replacement. I envy every good or bad spirit to challenge my unreasonable worries and put some solid evidences that this engine will last at least 100k miles. Hard times for Costco now, in my area this is Düsseldorf Germany if someone will be seen with such a big amount of TiPi quite likely is risking a.. lynch.

[@Varekai0723]

The SkyActiv 2.5 engine has been around for many years with no issues. It's very reliable.

[@06zzr14]

Alex Mobil I’ve had the same 2.5 engine in my Mazda 6 for 6 years and 170,000 kms (105,000 miles) with exactly zero issues. I continue to go from oil change to oil change (12,000kms/8000 miles) without having to add oil in between. It still sounds and drives like new. Its reliability reputation is stellar so my experience seems to be quite normal. I’m extremely confident you’ll get double your 100k in trouble-free miles.

[@dygardion9130]

I don’t understand the point of theses tiny crossovers I also saw. This in person the other day and the rear end wasn’t that great. Also it bugs me they called this the cx30 and not cx4 or at least the current cx3 to be renamed cx1 and this cx3

[@xanth987]

Yeah I gave this one a pass. Loved the engine and handling. But after bumping my head on the frame trying to get in, that’s a sign it’s not for me

[@neeko.b]

xanth987 I have the same problem with the 3. Headroom is horrible too. I'm 6' (which isn't crazy tall) and even with the front seat all the way down I have maybe an inch at best. Don't even fit in the back.

[@Soh90]

Given the option of a CX-30 or a UX or Q3 I’d almost certainly take the CX-30 solely based on price. But if price wasn’t a factor, I do think that the UX and Q3 are better developed, more premium cars despite Mazda’s efforts to go upmarket. Adopting a turbo motor, loosing the twist beam suspension, and dedicating more research and development dollars to tech and space efficiency should be prioritized in the future. And on that note, I really wanted to like this car, but it’s tiny interior dimensions made crossing it off my list pretty straightforward.

[@Guvb235]

It’s called CX-30 because the next CX-5 will be called CX-50, CX-9 will be CX-90, etc

[@comickebs748]

But there's no HYDRAULIC HANDBRAKE.

[@hsvcommodore4111]

Good luck finding that in any new car

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Also, I was talking to Jill Ciminillo on Twitter last night and she found that the brake won't release unless you have your seatbelt on.

[@hr9592]

Beautiful but those plastic cladding....

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Dark colors. Go with dark colors.

[@K03sport]

I guess this is as close to a Mazda6 wagon the US will get; so I guess I should learn to like and embrace it...give me some time. I still can't get over all of the black plastic cladding. Unnecessary and a (liquid) wax nightmare {I don't like it on our '16 CX-5 either)

[@edweagle]

but terrible job of the 6 foot rule..

[@gethao5220]

Get Toyota rav4 rather than cx30 because it has the same price point

[@marcob1729]

Naming this car the CX-30 was a terrible idea, and their excuse is weak as can be. The one easily bemused person cross-shopping Mazda in China AND the USA: "BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT CX-4s! OH MY GOODNESS, WHAT IS GOING ON??"

[@DrivenCarReviews]

There's been talk of Mazda updating its nomenclature, adding a "0" to all models to give them a more mature feel. So it would become CX-50 and CX-90 et all. We'll see...

[@BadDriversOfTheIllawarra]

Mazda missed the mark on styling on this one imo. CX-3 looks sporty 3 looks absolutely polarising & sexy CX-5 looks very handsome CX-30 looks.. well.. disproportionate & odd

[@andresarteaga1312]

It looks nice but I can never like the interface I feel like it’s too small or short and too far away. My sister has their large sedan (I forgot the name) and the touch screen is so far and looks bulky and I know you’re not going to be looking at the screen the entire time you’re driving or in the car. Other than that’s it’s a well rounded vehicle

[@tw1035]

Just another reviewer that doesn't mention the VIN number, first character being a 3, this 31K up market Japanese vehicle is made in Mexico with 4-8 dollar an hour slave labor. I'm sure many folks will suffer from buyers remorse finding this out after their purchase.

[@FatTones]

Perhaps flash up the metric units to be helpful to the majority of the world. Everyone else does it. Good reviews but can't sub for this reason.

[@tom.9146]

👌👍

[@sportsMike87]

Yep really botched the name

[@GuestYouTubeUser]

4:40 That earned you a dislike. Boomer!!! 😡

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I really don't care but, huh?

[@dmiller1000]

@@DrivenCarReviews Scott Adams calls these people 'peacocks', just strutting their stuff, their virtue, etc., with really nothing of substance to say about the accused. From the very beginning of automobiles, there have been models which cost comparatively little and those which cost top dollar. As well, there have been people who would spend their last dollar on the most expensive model they could buy, and others who have better things to do with their money, or at least do not believe in spending their last dollar on a vehicle. You have my hearty endorsement to make any kind of remark about cost and value of motor vehicles, including in jest, and about the buyers as well. As to NC Styles' foolish comment above, I guess who cares as long as they hit the subscribe button, right?

[@cleroyster2610]

May as well close this up.....no one...is going to be buying a new car.