In case you find Mazda’s CX-3 a
touch too small, and at the CX-5 a little too big, the Japanese
carmaker has come up with a solution that hears to the name CX-30. Sales for the CX-30, unveiled
just now in Geneva, will commence in the middle of this year in Europe,
followed by the rest of the world at some point in time. The CX-30 has been thought up using Mazda’s Kodo design language,
resulting in a dynamic exterior.
Inside, it features “relaxed and user-friendly
packaging”, with enough room for four adults. Meanwhile, the increased height
over a regular saloon or hatchback means improved visibility on the road, as
well as easier access inside, as with most crossovers. As for the freestanding
infotainment system, it can be controlled via a rotary dial on the center
console.
Power comes from the automaker’s latest-generation
Skyactive engines, including the Skyactiv-X. While no official word has been
dropped, we expect the CX-30 to utilize the same hardware as the latest Mazda3,
which should mean 1.5-, 2.0 and 2.5-liter petrol units, as well as a 1.8-liter
diesel for Europe. An optional all-wheel drive system should also be available.
Compared to a Mazda3, the CX-30 has an extra 25 mm in ground clearance, plus an impressive 430 liters of volume inside the trunk, compared to the 3’s 295 liters.
While there’s no word yet on pricing, Mazda will
probably charge you a little less than they would for a CX-5, which means that
in the U.S. for example, the CX-30 could set you back anywhere between US$ 24,350
(entry-level CX-5) and US$ 20,390 (entry-level CX-3).
