Why my new Mazda CX-30 isn't quite perfect

[@FranzSarmiento17]

Finally a video that actually highlights more practical problems in the car other than the non touchscreen display

[@2004cyrus]

Great point

[@ndujamz]

Exactly. I'm going to buy this.

[@iiExiiLeD]

Non touch screen is amazing, I love it on my mazda 3. Keeps my screen clean and is much easier to use while driving

[@ababyrhino]

I don't even understand why people want touch screen in their cars, my buddy has touchscreen and you always got to clean that screen from finger prints. He got annoyed of it, it became an inconvenience and he didn't bother with it anymore. Now the slightest sun hits that screen and its finger print city on that screen and you can barely see what's on there. Sure he might have gotten lazier and its an easy fix, but the amount of times you got to do it makes its terrible and I don't blame him. That's why I love how Mazda did it, not only do you never have to touch the screen and get it dirty, its also safer. You wont be making unnecessary movements and bends to reach the touchscreen which will lead to less eye contact on the roads. That knobs feels so good to use, its like an Xbox control, its gonna be second nature and you will understand every movement and control just like you do on any gaming controller on consoles or pc. As a gamer, I love that control knob so much.

[@jimlora3358]

Honestly when I use my wife’s macan I hate having to touch the screen and take my eyes off the road. Such an underrated design.

[@1VaDude]

My wife and I have a 2021 CX-30 AWD in Soul Red. 18,000 miles so far & we are happy with it. The biggest hangup is the lack of rear seat room - but we very seldom carry passengers.

[@imy0urpapa]

Everyone complains about the plastic cladding, but that is one of the reasons i bought the car! I live on a dirt road in Florida fully of bumps and potholes. When it rains, the plastic cladding helps protect the paint....since there isn't any towards the bottom. Also if you got the turbo with the black rims, it fits it a lot better. I got the red turbo premium plus with the black rims and it looks 👌👌👌

[@nycp1969]

Totally! We don't have snow in Florida but we have rain and schmutz galore. My CX-3 gets me through it fine. Always a sweet ride with Mazda.

[@analissalowe8469]

How does it feel with the potholes? Is it very bumpy?

[@markroadking]

I agree with you regarding the plastic cladding.

[@bc8580]

I’m speechless. Brutally honest observations on it’s imperfections but it’s still a gorgeous car.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Thanks B C! I agree it is very beautiful--I think it looks like a smaller and sharper Alfa Romeo Stelvio from some angles, and a few random people have already stopped me in parking lots to compliment me on how good it looks.

[@newamsterdanm]

i think the fwd engine would be better fit for the gas milage, and trany thing , hmm got me thinking tho🧐

[@2004cyrus]

@@newamsterdanm I was driving these at my local Mazda dealer trying to pick out my next new car- 2 weeks ago. I had a blast in the turbo and had it for 4 hours. The turbo has less of those issues he described. And The Topher also said that on his channel. He bought his wife a CX-30, he liked it so well. I ended up with a 21’ CX-5 because I was afraid the CX-30 might be a little too small

[@jondraper9505]

@@2004cyrus I bought a CX30 turbo and loaded the back with camera bags for two photographers last weekend. It was a perfect size for event photographers, but perhaps too small for hauling light stands and a small step ladder. When thinking about this I thought the CX5 may have been a better purchase, and perhaps it is safer in a collision due to the larger size. And obviously this car is for two people ... nobody other that a infant or toddler would be comfortable in the rear seats.

[@2004cyrus]

@@jondraper9505 I think you are spot on. It’s a great vehicle for the right person and their lifestyle. Of course Mazda offers their customers room to grow with the CX-9 as well!

[@BaBaYaga1999-p7u]

Why does everyone get so bent about those black wheel claddings? I have the Soul Red, and i think it looks great. Don’t even notice them.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Luckily, the arches have grown on me since I posted this video :) I’m glad you like the overall look of your CX-30 right off the bat! Soul Red really is awesome.

[@ricardoroberto7054]

Had my UK top spec model in soul red 7 months and love it. If you get a kick from turning round to look as you walk away then you know it's right. Just under 50 mpg, space and quietness. And the gorgeous cream and tan interior so different from the dull black black black of so many other cars. Everyone who has been in it are very impressed.

[@edwardsams6291]

You've nailed it on the transmission. Have had my CX30 Pr nonturbo for two months now, also in black, also bought the black to de-emphasize the cladding. I love this car but I agree with you on the transmission. Spot on assessment and description. While I wish it responded more smoothly and quickly when I need to accelerate quickly I haven't found it too terribly annoying but it is there. That Sport Mode is fantastic in urban/city driving, just wonderful. Thanks for your video!

[@jmw0368]

For Gods sake (for the safety of yourself and other drivers around you) PLEASE keep both hands on the steering wheel, and your eyes on the road AT ALL TIMES. Have you seen the effect of a sudden front wheel blowout?…the s/wheel is often ripped completely to one side (if it’s not being firmly held onto). And you certainly DON’T have ANY need to be constantly looking over at your camera (we can all hear you perfectly!) Both of these situations can easily have fatal consequences!

[@markroadking]

I have a 2021 CX30. I had a 2004 Mazda3 hatchback 5 speed this car got totaled when I was hit by another car that blew through a way way stop at 60 mph, hence the new CX30. With the CX30, I'd like to have seen a bit more fuel tank capacity. As far as mpg, it is about the same as my 3 was. I have a light foot so I try to get the most out of the mpg I can get. I like the ride, and with regard to the transmission I do not have any issues with it - after driving a stick forever, the automatic is refreshing for my taste. I like the AWD, as I live in an area that has snow.

[@carlmontney7916]

I own the 24 CX 30 in Soul Red Crystal and I honestly don't mind the black plastic cladding. Lots of cars have that nowadays so you just have to learn to accept it. It does require a little bit more upkeep to keep it looking good but it does offer some protection against road debris and small rock chips things like that. I haven't owned it enough yet to realize how often I'm going to have to fill it up but most of my driving is just around town Short trips to the grocery store doctor's office or whatever so having to get gas more frequently is not really going to be a problem for me. Also I don't let my cars get below a half tank anyways. Since most cars have the fuel pumps inside the tank nowadays and use the fuel to keep the pump cool I always try to keep the tank half full. All in all I just bought mine April 1st 2024 and so far I'm very impressed with it Especially the way it drives

[@RoadRage0]

I totally agree with all of those problems. I have a 2016 CX-3 (AWD). Mine is white color. Wheel arches are also black plastic. Luckily mine is diesel, however I’m driving in a huge city name called Istanbul. So sometimes 2-3 days later I need to fill the tank again fully also which drives me crazy. In the meantime I do agree with the 6 speed automatic really can’t decide when I push the accelerator. Same as you: I’m changing to the manual gear at those times. So Mazda just changed the model but the same problems are going on as I see. But still I love my car. I drove 11000 miles in 4 month. I climbed a mountain once on a dirt road. Nothing is broken and so realiable. One of the best decision I have ever made when I bought it.

[@Eric-ut5ld]

As a person who gets mud and dirt on my vehicle, Im so happy about plastic wheel arches.

[@maisondav1d]

These mazdas looks really good in their all black

[@thompson63]

I've had mine a year. The cladding is no problem with me. Gas tank, no problem. I use a half a tank every 2 weeks.

[@2004cyrus]

It’s nice when some popular and well known sticking points are not an issue for some people.

[@2004cyrus]

Congrats on your new CX-30!! I loved the Turbo w/ AWD and it put a genuine smile on my face. I was conflicted on some of it but if I had millions I would have one in the stable. I was afraid it would be too small so I got a new CX-5 instead. But it’s not as fun as the CX-30. I have the Snowflake White Pearl w/ Parchment leather. Your choice of black was smart. It would be Machine Gray for me. And that gas tank is too damn small I can’t believe that. Maybe Mazda can rectify some of this. Maybe not for awhile. I give kudos to Mazda for creating something a little different tho. You have a unique vehicle that isn’t everywhere. You are a great communicator and easy to listen to! I appreciate your video here and will look after I watch this to see if you have a full channel I can subscribe to.

[@xalau5270]

My red Mazda CX30 looks spectacular, wheel arches included.

[@MrLimpak]

I own this CX30 Core basic for more than 6 months and still turn heads wherever I drive and parked.Soul Red in color. Actually I bought this car mostly due to the great design that is so pleasing to my eyes in my opinion. The big plastic cladding that many talked about do contribute to the overall design beauty of this gorgeous wheel. It won the most beautiful car design in Japan last year (2020). I probably would have think twice getting the car if the cladding is made otherwise !

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Hi Lim, I'm glad you really love the design of the car, including the plastic! Enjoy your CX-30! It is an awesome car.

[@robertroccii7117]

James makes the most honest Reviews. He shows us all the good things and not so good things. I love the Plastics on the CX-30. It´s good it doesn´t can get rust. You can clean it easy. The insurance of this car is just much cheaper than from a CX-5 in Germany. The CX-5 was in 2019 the most stolen car in Germany. Insurances raised the price from the CX-5 Insurance. So i will love my CX-30 because it´s smaller, cheaper und more agile than my old CX-5 and the wonderful 6Gear manuel transmision. 12 gallons will be enough for me for 500miles around or 795km.

[@hid4us]

I have a 2021 CX30 AWD Turbo Premium and have been driving it almost a year. I agree with James on the fuel tank. I have to fill up almost every weekend. I grew out of the black cover around the tires and I got a white CX30 😁. It didn't bother me anymore. It actually looks good with the black gloss wheels. The turbo on sport mode is so much fun. Didn't regret at all.

[@Cn-sk7mz]

In my opinion, if you want to get cx-30 you should choose a dark color to make up with the huge plastic arc. Deep blue and black are the best choice. They added the carbon edition for cx-30 last year!

[@badrini]

I've purchased the black one, the perfect anesthetic choice to mask the contrast between perimetral plastics and the coloured body

[@Cn-sk7mz]

@@badrini nice choice! Now you don’t have to feel anxious about the arc hehe

[@ronammologist16]

I disagree. The body clading is just fine . And on my Machine gray painted car there almost invisible. I hit a piece of truck tire on the road at about 70 mph. The WHACK told me I just aquired a dent in my new car. But no damages at all! That clading it TOUGH!

[@stevensteven4388]

When you go into Sport mode, pls switch to manual and you'll unlock the key to 6th gear 😀 and it also hunts less coz you decide when to shift up/down. Since you're used to driving stick shift, manual Sport should be fun to drive.

[@smckay87]

Great review, thank you! I rented this car and dove it on a long road trip, was really impressed. Considering buying it now. This is really helpful 😃

[@tedpanczyszyn1828]

I've had mine for 18 months and none of these are issues for me. I tried to duplicate the transmission "hunting" and only had a slight stutter when I stomped on it. If you're stomping on it on the regular then that's a driver technique issue. Also if you're comparing the mileage and range with a Prius you may have bought the wrong car. This car internally is about the same size/volume as the Mazda3 5-door (which I traded in to get my CX-30) - a little taller but a little shorter inside. AWD sits up higher and since it's mated to the same 2.5/6spAuto as the 3 the mileage and "zoom zoom" are less ideal.

[@ImInYourBrains]

I have a white 2021 CX-30 and the issue with the cladding isnt really about its existance. I actually think its nice with the white. Its one of the reasons I prefer the CX-30's look over the Mazda 3 hatchback. The issue with the cladding for me is the size/thickness of it. I think it should be about half an inch to an inch thinner over the front tires to better match the plastic stripe-of-a-bumper on the front of the car. The cladding looks a little too thick as a result. Over all though, its minor and still better looking car overall compared to the Mazda 3 hatch imo

[@richards2072]

Just discovered your videos on the CX-30 and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks very much. Great presentations, so much better than all the others I've watched. I had the 2020 CX-30 in the dark blue and have just updated to a leased 2023 non turbo GS mid grade model as we call them in Canada. I was amused to hear about your decision to get the black so as to disguise the cladding. Everyone's tastes different of course. I had the 2020 dark blue and have switched to the white for the 2023 as I very much like the cladding. Though no major changes on the 2023 I've noticed a number of minor ones that just make it an even nicer car. As far as I can tell the hesitation in the gear changing seems to be gone, the ride seems just a bit smoother, it goes into the radar cruise a bit better (always seemed to have taken a few tries in the 2020), and the leather (or faux leather) wrapping on the steering wheel has, at least to me, a much better more upscale feel to it. Just a great car. Given my age, (in the mid 80's) I don't need to own a car anymore so I did my first lease and am saving myself over $100 monthly in car payments. Plan to continue with the CX-30s with 3 year leases the rest of the way out. Looking forward to more of your videos on the CX-30s.

[@rebeccabannister5304]

@Richards, I just bought a blue 2020 Select, I love the color, how did you care for the exterior to keep paint and black cladding looking great? I read commercial car washes are not adequate and can damage paint. Did you have any problems with the car? Thanks

[@americancivicsinstitute2496]

We've had the 2021 cx30 for 10 days. This description is exact.

[@jamesp154]

the only reason i am checking out a mazda is because it still offers an automatic transmission(AT). it is not easy to find a small car with AT these days. the AT problem you mentioned here kind of discourages me from further researching into a mazda. thanks!

[@Raptors0524]

That small gas tank size would be so annoying. One of the nicest things on my CX9 is I have a 21 gallon tank. With averaging 29 MPG, I am able to almost go two weeks before I have to fill up again. I must say the CX30 is one of the best cars in this segment. You have a really nice car!

[@TheHappyCoder]

All of these aren't issues at all for me. Another confirmation that it's a great car.

[@jennifer1110]

Agreed! I'm on day 7 with my Preferred AWD non-turbo and really like it so far.

[@stevepick9527]

I agree that the black cladding on the wheel arches is an eyesore with the lighter colors. I got the beautiful dark blue and they don’t stand out at all. I got the turbo model and like you use sport mode around town. So No hunting for gears. After two years, I love this car, still, and as far as the gas tank, not really a big deal I just pulled into a gas station and fill it up. On road trips I take a break after about 250 miles anyway. The interior iis really high quality especially for the price!

[@sunipan123]

good present ,, voice and pronunciation very clear....feel comfortable listening

[@michaellangston271]

If you can find one, buy the Premium Plus Turbo,well worth the money. With premium fuel, 250 hp, 320ft/lb torque, zero to 60, 5.8 seconds.

[@TREBLADaveeDee]

I'm waiting my new cx30, maybe in september... I'm really excitin' for my purchase!!!1Nice vid man, thanks from Italy for your reviews!!!!

[@jmanstuck]

I like the cladding look. But I am also armored. If I hear a rock hit down there. I can just write it off instead of cringing.

[@PastTime777]

Bought a 2023 CX-30 for the GF. She picked Gray to blend the wheel arches. Great so far. Yes, I was also wondering about the reduced range due to the smaller fuel tank. I’m also interested in a Toyota Camry but getting the version I want with all options and color is hard.

[@pimpwensdayguy]

How much did you pay for it and what trim was it?

[@PastTime777]

​@@pimpwensdayguy It was the MSRP price plus dealer fee. 2023 CX-30 Gray Premium (No Turbo). Base Price $31,500 Bose Radio Credit $-440 Destination $1,275 Machine Gray Metallic $595 Wheel Locks $75 (Factory) Sub Total of car $33,005 TTT and Dealer Fee of $999 = $36,982.56 We're happy, it's a brand new car delivered to the dealer 5 days after we ordered it. Yes, we paid what they wanted, but it didn't have any markup over MSRP and I wasn't going to bicker about hold back or the wheel locks from the factory. I went over all the numbers to make sure they added up and didn't buy anything in the finance room.

[@asherjacob3603]

Brutally honest and informative. Helps me narrow down my choices

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

I'm glad the video was helpful, Asher!

[@montyi8]

Did you go for CX-30 or some other car?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@montyi8 I did get the CX-30 :) In this video I'm actually driving my own car! Overall it's a great car so I'm quite happy with it.

[@lisahoogvliet]

I LOVE my Turbo Premium Plus and the black cladding has grown on me and it doesn’t bother me at all. I do agree with you on the gas tank. It’s way too small and especially for the turbo it should have a 14 gallon tank.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Awesome. I'm glad the cladding doesn't bother you. The turbo wasn't in my budget range for a daily, but I'm sure that engine adds a lot of fun factor to daily drives!

[@lisahoogvliet]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars it definitely does! I came from a 14 sGT Mazda 3 sedan which was modded in appearance and suspension. I definitely miss that size gas tank, lol. That was my first Mazda and I am a Mazda fan for life. The turbo is definitely fun to drive for a daily but I am having to fill up 3 times a week as opposed to two times.

[@hiwaystar69]

@@lisahoogvliet Hi, enjoy your mods on the CX-30 forum. Forgive me , but can the Turbo and awd emblems come off with no issues? Think you dipped yours, thanks for any help. My name is Don( hiwaystar).

[@glennet9613]

I’ve had one for a couple of months, a nice car to drive but the killer is the “low battery risk - start vehicle to charge 12v battery” if you leave a door open for a few minutes. I just vaccumed it which took maybe twenty minutes with

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Yea, leave the car for 2 days parked and the battery drains. I have a 1994 toyota corolla that I can leave for 6 months and it starts up like a clock.

[@glennet9613]

@@hypnosiscenternyc I was worried about that but I just left it for three weeks at a ski resort, so around freezing all the time, and it started no problem.

[@Lightsout565x]

FYI For those that don’t need AWD, the FWD models have a slightly larger fuel tank. 12.7 gallons in the AWD versus 13.5 gallons in FWD.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Mike, that's very helpful! I didn't know that. Thanks for the PSA

[@newamsterdanm]

yuuuup, FWD , is my take buddy 🆗😎🙏🏻🤝

[@thundergato84]

What's the mile range capacity for the 13.5 gallon tank?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@thundergato84 With FWD's better mpg and the slightly larger tank, you should get about ~50 miles more range. That should be a very noticeable difference!

[@ravnclaw89]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars according to the dealer I met with the other day, it is possible to turn off the AWD and that dramatically improves gas mileage. :)

[@jondraper9505]

I bought the turbo model in black to minimize the wheel well roominess and the too large black plastic trim. My only gripe is when looking from the driving position out the passenger side window, I find the side view mirror is about 30% too large and creates its own blind spot. Am sure you have noticed this but forget to mention it. If anybody has a link for rear cargo area all weather floor matts, please share it here. Wondering why you did not spring for the TURBO?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Very interesting, Jon - the mirror doesn't bother me, but that might be because I came from a Lexus IS 350 that also had a giant mirror! I didn't spring for the Turbo because I'm lucky to have a Miata for spirited driving, so the non-turbo was the better choice for my budget and planned use of the car. If I had to just have one car, I might have gone for the Mazda3 hatch turbo for sharper handling and speed. Enjoy your CX-30!!

[@mohammedzaman8335]

You are right I notice at first look thanks for bringing up

[@jimmyhamm6041]

Love my 23 CX-30 poly metal gray red interior , the gas tank seems to small could be 10- 13 gallons bigger .

[@xtnguyen7760]

Hello my fellow country man, Just stumbled through your videos, spot on info... Also subscribed !! Thanks

[@cutieapplepie]

i think the wheel archs look amazing

[@YuriDob]

test drove one today and felt exactly what you are talking about. i was like wait a minute...

[@aapinor]

Just get the turbo, champion! Great review! 😊😊the black plastic gives a right appearance as a fun sport USA! We have a good reason to get an SUV here in Miami, Florida: Rain and flooding! Hahahaha That's why here there is a decrease in sales of coupes! Besides the small SUV are more practical! If they add the panoramic Moonroof they will make the CX 30, the perfect and fun small SUV car! Car Driver puts it at number one in its category! 👋👋👋👋👋

[@KirkWinterrowd]

Our CX-30 is my wife's daily driver and while she rarely uses Sport mode, I almost always do for the points you made. Our's is Machine Gray Metallic to deal with the cladding as my wife didn't want black or dark blue and because it matched my Launch Edition Miata RF. I showed her some pictures of lowered CX-30's and she liked that a lot so I'll be installing those at some point. Overall, still a great vehicle and we both enjoy driving it.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Love it. Totally agree that lowered looks amazing. Machine Gray was my second choice, but I already had a Miata in that color and so wanted something different in the garage!

[@KirkWinterrowd]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars Cool. Which Miata? I traded my 2017 LE RF or a 2020 Soul Red Crystal GT RF, my sixth Miata.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@KirkWinterrowd Wow, you are a serious Miata fan. I currently drive a 2019 Club Brembo/BBS soft top, which is my second Miata (you can see it in a couple of my other videos). My first Miata was a lightly track prepped 1994 M Edition that was just tons of fun to drive on the street and track.

[@KirkWinterrowd]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars Very cool. Not sure if you are on the Miata forum.com or cx30talk.com but I am a member and moderator on both.

[@Beorn.]

Hi James, I enjoyed your video and completely agree with you about the oversized plastic wheel arches. I have a one month old CX-30 in soul red. A beautiful looking car spoilt by those wheel arches. I wish Mazda hadn't of done that. Mine has the Skyactive X engine, 2ltr, manual transmission and front wheel drive. Around town I get 45mpg and 50mpg on the motorway so quite good. Nicest interior on any car I've ever owned.

[@chittbounkousonh9]

Yes, I find that gas tank is little bit small for long distance driver like me. And what you said in the video is right about shifting gear other than that I love it.

[@clayz1]

Distance driving is when the CX-30 gets its best gas mileage. 100kph. So it might not be as bad as you think, but a bigger tank would still be better, natch.

[@jennsroka2796]

I wasn't a fan of the cladding either. Got the Machine Grey, and the cladding just blends. But after seeing so many nice photos of the CX-30 in all its colors, the cladding doesn't bother me nearly as much. Still looks best in the grey/black though, imo.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

I also love Machine Grey, and might have gotten the CX-30 in that color if I didn't already have a Machine Grey MX-5!

[@louisgiraldin3827]

Jenn - i have a 2015 Honda CR-V purchased new. it's black. first black vehicle I have owned. it was because I thought the cladding blended in better. So, you can guess how I feel about the CX30. Almost a deal breaker, as it is an extreme (to me) example of cost savings that doesn't sit well with me. I don't buy the corporate line that it is designed to protect against road chips. But, the reviews are so good I would consider one in a darker color. This reviewer looks to be a good one. just found him a few minutes ago and already subscribed!

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@louisgiraldin3827 Thanks Louis! I hope you enjoy future videos on the channel. This channel's purpose is to share my lifelong love of cars, so hopefully that positivity can add a little brightness to people's days. Cheers!

[@jennsroka2796]

Neighbor across from my bedroom at my mother's house this weekend had a white CX-30. Staring out the window for a few days, the combo never bothered me. Guess I'm getting use to it. Still prefer the dark colors, but if someone gave me one in white or red, I'd take it :)

[@indesignkat]

thank you, this is exactly the sort of info I was looking for. I'm test driving a CX-30 Premium with AWD without Turbo in a couple days and so many of your impressions match my impressions, which makes me feel confident in the things you discuss that I haven't had a chance to see yet. I also found a red one first and liked it until I saw that ridiculous black strip along the bottom. I was worried a bit about vague references in other videos to the 6 speed AT, but now look forward to trying it out in sport mode. I'm transitioning from a 2019 Veloster Turbo R-Type, so switching to sport mode as soon as I get in the car is now second nature to me.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Kenneth, best of luck in your search for your next car. If you end up getting a CX-30, I hope you enjoy it!

[@newamsterdanm]

thanks for that great info tho, keep me posted about that tran cuz, i really love that cuv , thinking to lease one

[@williamcallaway2228]

Love my CX-30, got the deep crystal mica blue which is another good color choice for hiding the plastic cladding.

[@georgesmith4639]

I'm 5'6" and sat in a cx-30 last weekend and the seat (at max height) was still so low that I could not see the road surface for about 50' in front of the car. I'm used to about 8-10' with my old Rav4.

[@aca2983]

Everybody comments about the wheel and rocker panel cladding. But compared to the CrossTrek, Kona, really? And a Prius has a longer range? NSS! CX-30 is great car though. I'm holding out for 2022 model and see what changes there are. I'm in no hurry and it is not a buyers market at the moment.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

aca2983, thanks for your perspective! Mazda is trying to move upmarket, which in my view makes the plastic cladding a bit weird. I think the CrossTrek and Kona plastic cladding is more appropriate for what Subaru and Hyundai are trying to do with those cars. Anyway--if the plastic doesn't bother you, then that's awesome because it is quite a beautiful car. If the Prius comparison is odd to you, we can also use my 2002 BMW X5 as a comparison. It has an effective capacity of 21 gallons, and I can go around 100 miles farther between fill-ups compared to the CX-30, which is nice. If you end up getting a CX-30 I have no doubt you'll enjoy it very much!

[@441meatloaf]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars Mazda moving upmarket is the wrong decision. They are not a luxury brand period. People that buys BMW/Audi will never consider mazda. Neither will people in the econo section will be looking for luxury. So who is the niche market for? Mazda up market move has actually costed them negative revenues over the last 5 yrs of business and they making even more losses during covid. The first quarter of 2020 Mazda posted a record high of $40 billion yen net loss compared to their competitors like Subaru who is turning out a significant profit and thorughout the entire year of 2020, Mazda lost 50% revenues world wide in sales. The upmarket move clearly isn't doing a dam thing for their business that has saw a average 30% net decrease in revenues per year since 2016.

[@georgebratu]

I have driven a test car with automatic transmission and skyactive X 180hp and my problem was that when I was pushing the pedal harder, it was doing an engine break first and then take off, which was annoying. So if I want to accelerate, I want it to only speed up, not first break a little and then accelerate.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Yes--I think I know what you're saying and experience that as well. I think the slight engine braking is the non-rev-matched downshifting, which causes the engine to increase its rpms to match the new required rpm at the expense of vehicle momentum.

[@georgebratu]

​@@JamesPlaysWithCars Maybe because I am used to drive a manual transmission and when I want to downshift because I need more power, it doesn't take me by surprise because I am controlling that gear shifting.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@georgebratu Same here -- I am spoiled by the level of control provided by manual trans cars, and I love practicing rev matched downshifts. So, automatic transmissions have to be very good for me to appreciate them!

[@ricardoroberto100]

Mazdas have a slight delay when accelerating for economy and it prevents rapid on off throttle inputs which waste fuel. It sounds worse than it actually is and you soon adapt. I dont even notice it now.

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Yea, that lag when you accelerate is annoying. So, like James, I drive in Sports mode.

[@blueskies-l8k]

Thank you so much for this. I just got my new cx-30 a couple weeks ago and have been feeling so disappointed about the transmission. All I had watched were vids praising the hell out of this car and it seemed like a no brainer. I appreciate the rec for sport mode, I haven't given sport mode a huge chance so I'm gonna give that a try to see if it makes city driving a little more enjoyable :)

[@clayz1]

Very good explanation of the 6 speed auto trans. In Leisure mode (not Sport or Manual shift) driving around town 50kph: If there is a need to stomp on it the car will double downshift then immediately upshift one gear and settle on that. It takes more than a second to do that and by then any advantage of downshifting has gone. So definitely use Sport mode all the time driving in town, unless you are dedicated to driving in Leisure mode on that particular day. Which the Mazda does well and pleasing enough for sure, just no fast moves please.

[@ahmadtibi7744]

I just want to mention that the cx-30 is actually smaller than both the Mazda 3 sedan and Mazda 3 hatchback. It has higher ground clearance though so in essence it's a lifted mazda 3 but smaller.

[@MrHamidrezagilani]

Another thing I do not like about CX-30 is the cup holder location which is far from your hand and make you bended to grab your cup or stuff.

[@2004cyrus]

I feel like the turbo solves the transmission issues in this vehicle.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Agreed!

[@richardharmon4418]

I've had mine for two months now my biggest complaint is the cruise control. It slams on the breaks way to hard the first time it went off I almost got rear-ended on the highway.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Yikes! Since making this video, I have also noticed that the cruise control is pretty aggressive with braking when someone merges in front of you, though I haven't hard as harrowing a situation as you describe. Thanks for sharing your experience, Richard.

Actually polymetal gray and machine gray may also work that black plastic. I guess if we get the manual transmission, won't be any transmission related issue.

[@palebeachbum]

I agree it's a beautiful design, but those massive black wheel arches look terrible. They should drop that in an upcoming refresh. I also agree the 12.7 gallon tank is way too small given the MPGs. My 2018 Elantra that I used to own had a 12.7 gallon tank, but that car always got between 28 and 46mpg for me, depending on if I was doing mostly city or highway driving. It felt like an appropriate size tank for the car.

[@neorx7fc]

Love your thoughts! I had the same dilemma with my CX30 when I first got it, but sport mode does solve it! Or just switch to manual mode. Eventually I'm thinking about switching to the turbo version after a refresh and Mazda has a chance to fix some kinks. But like the CX5, I think the CX30 will become an awesome SUV! I believe size wise, it's similar to the Mazda3, it's not supposed to be bigger. Dimension wise, it is shorter than the Mazda3 but a little taller. But hope you enjoy the CX30 like how I am!

[@mike-ii4jp]

It's my experience most cars I've owned seem to get you330 miles. Prius is an exception. When filling your gas gets you upset just think you could be overseas in the military.

[@almatoledo1608]

Great video! Well spoken, thank you.

[@2004cyrus]

Subscribed for ya bro!! Let’s get those analytics heading in a better direction! Keep cranking out the good stuff and I’ll stick around for it. Thanks again!

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Thanks Kody! Hope to earn your continued subscription haha

[@RICK-uf1jj]

Have 700 miles on my select CX30, amazed that of all the reviews none have highlighted the fact that the hyway mpg if you keep it at around 60 is near 40 mpg. This isn't a major for now but if regular goes to $8 plus it will be.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Hi Rick, that's excellent fuel economy. Is yours FWD or AWD?

[@RICK-uf1jj]

@James Do awd...the math at fill up appears to correspond with the avg mpg so Im assuming the hwy tests relying on the displayed mpg are accurate..the labeled 32 mpg of course is of 75 mph in an outta traffic driving.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@RICK-uf1jj Very cool. That's a bit better than ours, which on long highway drives gets maybe ~2 mpg less than what you're getting. Conditions may also make a difference as well.

[@ShadowRing0219]

Honestly these problems are not a big deal. About the wheel arches, don’t go with a bright color, it’s simple. Go with black or a dark color and you won’t even notice them. The transmission, not a big deal, still does the job. The gas tank, yes that’s probably gonna be the #1 issue.

[@syedgilani7108]

I actually love the plastic pieces. they do look terrible but I prefer it because it's better for protection

[@michaelnishiguchi3176]

The gas tank is definitely the biggest pain point for me. I used to have a Prius that would go 350-400 miles on a tank.

[@God.sDaughter]

You’re consuming so much gas yes with the Cx 30 right?

[@AozoraUltra2006]

I really like the frankness you have. Do you think you were using efficiency because you use sport mode a lot?

[@jeffmorse645]

You didn't mention visibility. I guess that's not such a big issue. I see those short windows and think "Camaro". 😄 I'm thinkin about test driving one, but at 6'3" I'm afraid my head is going to be up so high in the cabin seeing out of seeing a stop light might be a problem. My other car of interest is a VW Taos FWD and I know that would be a non-issue with it.

[@mdatpe]

I have a cx5 but really like the cx30 until u talked about the gas tank..I’ll stick with mine..on the transmission try just DIY the shifts..it’s fun and u can forget the sport mode entirely

[@2004cyrus]

Same here exactly! I have my 3rd Mazda - a 21’ CX-5 GT premium package

[@jj5515]

@James Doo , I agree everything you stated bro. Especially with the mpg, you would EXPECT it to be more.

[@kasenlambeth4537]

2021 Premium Turbo owner (polymetal grey) here. I purchased this vehicle as a bit of a splurge after paying off my student debt. I watched all of the videos, read the Consumer Reports reviews, and there was nary a bad word to be said about it. I was so excited after seeing the reviews and driving the car. I previously owned a GTI and while I knew this wasn't a hot hatch, I wanted a little turbo hatchback with some useful crossover traits (AWD, higher ground clearance). My initial two months were ok, but the quirks and manufacturing problems showed themselves immediately. For example, the rear liftgate and alarm was constantly activating itself in my pocket due to the fob buttons being on the side. Secondly, I will echo what James said pertaining to the fuel economy and gas tank. My cx-30 gets approximately 18-21 mpg with normal driving. This is absolutely awful. I drive approximately 30 miles per day between my commutes and personal driving. I am at the gas pump constantly. The people at the local station say "back again?" fairly frequently. The electronics and driver aids are quirky. The HUD display changes where it projects at times. Key fob auto unlock feature randomly doesn't work and I have to use the button on the side of the fob. Auto lock when away from car fails often, leaving the car wide open. Back up warning is either hyper sensitive or inoperable, depending on the day. Camera quality on the back up camera is not as clear as my 2004 Motorola RAZR flip phone. The cruise control randomly stopped working and then gave an error message and started working again. The car started giving me an "engine oil low" warning at 8,000 overall miles and 1,000 miles into that oil change cycle. took it to the dealership where they explained that a "gasket," presumably the rubber washer on the oil pan bolt, was missing. The dealership performed another oil change but failed to repair the weird cruise control issue. 1200 miles into that oil change cycle I got the "low oil" warning again and car randomly accelerated without my foot on the pedal from full stop. The dealership informed me this time ( at ~11,000 miles on the car) that the leak was due to a failure in the valve gaskets causing oil to leak all over the engine and chassis. I had full warranty coverage (thank god). The car is brisk, but not fast, which for me negates the whole benefit of the turbo. As critical engine seals have failed at a scant 11,000 miles, I am now forced to either keep a car who is as trustworthy as 2008 Countrywide mortgages or spend more time and money trading in the car for a different model. I am not sure how the NA CX-30 performs, but DO NOT SIMPLY ACCEPT THE HYPE in marketing and media. Do your research and you'll see tons of issues that people are having with the turbocharged CX-30 model. Sorry for a novel, but I want you to be well informed.

[@koukimonzta]

I agree about the gas tank. The CX5 has that problem too thats why its not among the CUVs with great gas mileage.

[@gregnote771]

I like Mazda. Anyone has thoughts on Toyota Corolla Cross?

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Sport mode is great. There's too much hesitation in regular mode. 2. I have a brand new 2021 cx30 select. If you let it sit for two days, the battery runs down. I only have 300 miles on the car. The car ran down twice. The car vibrates a lot (calf muscles shake). Route 9 mazda tells me it's the low profile wheels. That's the way the Mazda's are, the customer service manager told me. My 27 year old toyota (1994) corolla is a better ride. I bought an Mazda SD card for navigation. It doesn't work. I reset the car's system, did everything I could find on the net. No way. Yea, my wife loves the way this car looks. I should have bought a Subaru.

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Oh no... that is awful. Sorry to hear about your experience and I hope the dealer will fix the issues in the end!

[@razorraysolarsavings70]

I bought a 2020 Mazda CX-30 premium none turbo, and when I bought it the dealer discovered parasitic battery drainage. Their solution was to put a high performance/amperage Odyssey battery. I can go a week with out using my car and it stars right up. :) My car doesn’t vibrate at all with 19300 miles.

[@shinefake48]

Im planning on getting the 2023 one for traveling to college that is out of the city, and Ive seen some ppl complain about the cylinder deactivation feature that is now standard, what is your opinion on it? and do you think its a good choice for what I plan on using it for?

[@nexusonels]

I always find the the people who hate the cladding have the exact same opinion about them 😂 it does not look terrible, period.

[@kahugumuiruri9057]

Those to me seems to be no problems at all. The only downside would be the gas tank capacity and the rear passenger space.

[@xo7454]

I need a Jerry can for long drives. Still annoying to stop and fuel tho.

[@msBatFink]

im in Australia and our cx30 are different..does your model have a dual gear box?

[@whitehouse429]

right now in my CX-30 bad noise coming from the rear left dpassanger doors, cheap hard plastics are in hte game...!

[@APMC100]

Excellent points!

[@joensd]

It's definitely not perfect for me. I just bought it on January 23, 2022, and the issue since I bought it has been the car not recognizing the keys, to the point that I couldn't even open the doors. The dealership kept the car 3 days, and they couldn't figure out the issue. Back to the dealership tomorrow, Monday 2/14/22, and see where it goes from here. It's a beautiful car, but so far, I have not enjoyed this ride.

[@spanky9753]

Love my 2021 non turbo.unfortunately most of my commuting is done in moderate to heavy traffic. My avg mpg is a poultry 20.7. curious to know if there are other cx30 drivers that have similar mpg # to mine

[@ashokvarma351]

I 100% agree, thank you so much :)

[@RobSinox]

nice one!!...i got 3 atm and next gonna be cx30..fuel tank is good enough for Europe 😅..I'm driving MT so not experience in this area..although got few weeks ago test drive in cx30 e x skyactive with AT and I love it!! plastic arches put me off year ago of buying cx30 so went for 3 instead.. but still next gonna be cx30 in black 😅

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Black CX-30 for the win! Haha

[@RobSinox]

@@JamesPlaysWithCars My mazda 3 is in red crystal red..nothing can beat this colour...but certainly unfortunate plastic arches limiting colour choices lol..

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

@@RobSinox Mazda's red paint really is incredible!

[@coldstonecanc3rgang994]

I'm trying to find softer coils/shocks for the CX30. I have yet to find any. I'd love to hear if anyone's attempted a softer ride on the vehicle and if it worked out

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

I haven't looked into aftermarket coils/shocks but swapping out the tires could be something to consider. According to Tire Rack reviews, the OEM tires on the CX-30 offer pretty mediocre ride quality, and there are multiple tire options that perform better in a wide range of aspects including ride.

[@sav9394]

The plastic is great for protecting it from rust, I prefer the plastic honestly

[@a.j.patron9214]

Sport mode will burn through more fuel!

[@cjblah123]

This is very informative and helpful! A must-watch for someone like me who is planning to buy this one also. Btw how's the visibility?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

I'm glad the video was helpful! Visibility isn't amazing and makes me slightly miss the 1997 4Runner I learned to drive in... but relative to modern cars, visibility in the CX-30 is not too bad. I find that my sense of confidence on the road is aided by the fact that the CX-30 is a smallish CUV that doesn't feel like it's so close to other cars in the next lane.

[@jennifer1110]

Visibility isn't bad and is helped by blind spot monitoring.

[@releM15]

The transmission issue that you have can be simply solved by you utilising the paddle shifters. They do an awesome job when you want to overtake without having to confuse the transmission.

[@sheffieldgeek]

ikr..smh

[@Raiu387]

Happy to find you :) im picking new car in this year and cant decide what to for. My choice is mazda cx-30 vs cupra formentor 1.5. Could you give me a Little advise what to pick?

[@JamesPlaysWithCars]

Mariusz, thanks for your kind words! If you don't need a lot of interior room and you value the driving experience, the CX-30 would likely be the better choice. Otherwise, the Cupra seems very compelling as well, especially with that very nice, almost exotic looking exterior!

[@ALWH1314]

How would anybody compare a gasoline engine car to a hybrid Prius for mileage per gallon? Why not compare to Tesla 3 for gas tank size?

[@KuyaArbee]

My biggest problem are those plastic fenders….. sheesh wtf was mazda thinking!!!!! I was cross shopping between a Mazda CX30, Lexus UX, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40 and I chose the XC40 🤷🙏. Also thank you for pointing out on the 6 speed automatic transmission!!! I test drove one and holyshit the Mazda 6 speed auto is a POS! I much love the 8 speed aisin on my Volvo xc40! Also the Harmon kardon audio system blows away that pathetic bose audio system on the cx30… also the infotainment and controls on the cx30 are so terribly disappointing and outdated also no digital center gauges….

[@nats50]

Unfortunately, the Volvo may not be as reliable as the Mazda.