2020 Mazda CX-30Derek McNaughton / Driving What is it?By now, its a universal truth that we Canadians are hungry for SUVs and crossovers. Well, Mazda wants to satisfy our appetites with the CX-30, a new crossover slotting between the CX-3 and CX-5, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.Why does it matter?The CX-5 is, without a doubt, Mazdas bread-and-butter crossover. So, its easy to see why theyd want to capitalize on the success after all, its hands-down Mazdas best-seller. Problem is, the CX-5 can be a bit too big for some buyers enter the CX-3, right? Well, that ones a bit too tight, particularly in the rear seat and cargo area.This is where the CX-3 comes into play. Not quite as big as the CX-3 yet not quite as tight as the CX-5, consider the CX-30 as the Goldilocks. From the outside, the CX-30 is essentially a restyled CX-5 with a sleeker roofline its genuinely attractive, embracing Mazdas Kodo design language with a thin and wide grille, slim headlights, and some clever contouring in the sheet metal thats not quite visible to the naked eye until certain light and reflections happen to hit the sides just right.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereInside, the CX-30 is immediately familiar. Sharing an overall interior layout with the Mazda3, fit-and-finish is absolutely impeccable. An 8.8-inch display handles infotainment duties, while a seven-inch digital display in the gauge cluster is standard. Naturally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, and Mazda offers its latest suite of active safety features are available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the base GX, but youll have to step up to the mid-level GS if you want goodies like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision alert, and lane-keep assist, among others. The GT adds a couple of new tricks up its sleeve in this department, including rear automatic braking. The CX-30 adds knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, too.The only slight disappointment with the CX-30 is the powertrain lineup. Its a carbon copy of the Mazda3, meaning the 2.0-litre SkyActiv inline-four is standard, good for 155 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. If thats not enough kick, Mazdas 2.5L four-banger is available, good for 186 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft. of torque. Both powertrains are hooked up to a six-speed automatic, and all-wheel-drive is available.Now, theres nothing inherently wrong with this powertrain lineup Mazdas G-Vectoring Control is standard fare, and the company has paid extra attention to quashing noise, vibration, and harshness, so you can bet itll ride well but youd think the CX-30 wouldve debuted for North America with Mazdas trick SkyActiv-X engine. When is it coming?The Mazda CX-30 is hitting U.S. dealers next month, followed by Canada in January. The CX-30 starts at $23,950 for a base, front-wheel-drive GX and tops out at $33,850 for the fully loaded GT.Should you buy it?Good question. The CX-30 is priced well, generously equipped, and the interior is impeccable. And given its a Mazda, you can bet itll be among the more engaging crossovers in the segment. If the CX-5 is too big, the CX-3 is too tight, and the Mazda3 hatch doesnt fit the bill, the CX-30 is just
Origin: 2020 Mazda CX-30 splits the difference between the CX-3 and CX-5