A recap: My wife Diana wants to replace her eight-year-old Subaru Impreza with a new vehicle, something with all the latest safety devices; the cameras, sensors, buzzers and warnings her hatchback lacks. The issue, other than her short stature, are a couple of disabilities — Di cannot hear out of her right ear, nor does she have sight in her right eye. This makes for a more challenging buying process. Although Di doesn’t want anything with a footprint much larger than her car, she would like something that rides a little higher, which has us looking at small crossovers.
We have already scoped out the Toyota Corolla Cross, Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek, and Hyundai Kona, with the Seltos struck from further consideration due to the lack of sensors needed to help her park. Later, we checked out Mitsubishi’s refreshed-for-2022 Eclipse Cross, specifically the GT because of its multi-view camera system. But as nice as the Mitsubishi was, the camera system failed to address Diana’s needs. Further research has us now considering a new version of the Honda HR-V as well as Mazda’s CX-30 — an in-betweener crossover slotted between the subcompact CX-3 and larger CX-5 (Mazda’s best-seller).
Compare these subcompact crossovers: Toyota Corolla Cross vs Kia Seltos vs Subaru Crosstrek vs Hyundai Kona
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
Why the CX-30? For Di, it’s because the GT trim is available with something Mazda calls the Advanced Visibility Package (an $800 upgrade), which, according to the company, “enhances safety around the vehicle in a range of situations.” The key item is the 360º View Monitor, helping provide additional visibility around the crossover when parking, not to mention front parking sensors, a handy feature not found on the Crosstrek, Seltos or Kona. The Advanced Visibility Package is also included in the topline ($37,700) GT Turbo, the model we tested. So, how did the CX-30 fare? Does the 360º camera make a difference?
That would be a resounding YES! “I would say the Mazda is now at the top of the list,” my wife enthuses. The CX-30’s cameras provide an overhead view of the vehicle as well as forward/rear views. Better is the fact that unlike the Eclipse Cross, the console display, which displays the views as a split screen, is angled toward the driver in the CX-30. This means Di doesn’t have to turn her head nearly as much to see the screen. This is a big deal for someone who fears fronting into a parking spot because of her lack of peripheral vision/depth perception. After three successful attempts fronting into a parking spot between two cars, she was almost giddy, demanding a high five for the effort. (Just to be clear, though, while the cameras make parking much easier, she will go to extreme lengths to avoid fronting, almost always choosing to reverse into a spot.)
As I’ve mentioned before, automakers do not build vehicles for those like my wife, who stands on her tiptoes to justify her claim of being five feet tall. As is the case with every crossover she tested, the CX-30’s rear-seat headrests had to be removed to improve rearward visibility. And, after powering the driver’s seat fully forward and up as high as it could go, she still needed her portable seat cushion under her butt to be able to see the Mazda’s front corners.
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
Di did find the GT Turbo model a very sporty drive, as well she should since the topline trim comes with Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.5 turbocharged four-cylinder, which delivers a potent 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium 93 octane gas. Even when running on regular (and significantly less expensive) 87 octane, the engine still churns out a healthy 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The crossover has serious zip to it when the gas pedal is given a push — easily the most entertaining of the six different crossovers we have so far tested. Fuel economy is pretty good as well; a 1,000-kilometre road trip to Montreal and back home yielded a 7.6 L/100 km result, almost all of that at highway speeds.
That said, while the GT Turbo’s power and overall driving dynamics is very impressive (and tempting), this would be Diana’s car, not mine. And she needs the performance as much as a fish needs a bicycle. For her, the CX-30 GT Advanced Visibility Package trim ($35,300) and the milder non-turbo version of the Skyactiv-G 2.5L engine (186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque) is a better and less expensive fit.
Still, if you’re asking, the GT Turbo would make a fun companion vehicle to my Miata, being more pragmatic, at least for us as empty nesters, but providing the same sort of sporting vibe endemic to the Mazda brand. It’s certainly quick enough for a 1,600-kilogram crossover, especially when merging from an on-ramp and doubly so when flipped into Sport mode. Foot to the floor, the crossover will take just six seconds to hit 100 km/h. You won’t get that from your HR-V or Crosstrek. Passing acceleration is equally impressive, if not more so; scooting around lumbering transport trucks on our highway run to Montreal was easy-peasy, just a little more throttle to get the job done.
Yet, it’s not all sweetness and light. The good part is that, when not called upon, the turbo is unobtrusive. The annoying part is that, when selected, Sport mode holds the gears too long before upshifting, the engine needlessly running at higher revs than it needs to. I’ve also found this happening with other Mazda models, so clearly the company doesn’t feel it’s an issue.
The GT Turbo handles a treat for the vehicle it is, but some might find the ride a bit too stiff; Montreal’s notoriously choppy roads made the fine line between firm and unpleasant a little too fine.
Going whole hog for the GT Turbo brings with it a bunch of standard comfort and infotainment features — Mazda doesn’t skimp! Power sunroof, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, black leather-trimmed upholstery (the white leather in the tester is a $200 upgrade), 10-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, driver’s seat memory, rain-sensing wipers, navigation system, Bose audio system with 12 speakers, automatic climate controls, keyless entry, power liftgate, radar cruise control, and a head-up driving display covers off the majority.
2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo Photo by Brian Harper
A couple of things worth noting about the head-up display; the first is that it includes a blind-spot warning feature — this in addition to the ones in the outside mirrors — in the form of what look like quotation marks on either side of the posted speed icon. Very handy, especially for those whose peripheral vision isn’t the best. However, the sensors that pick up the road’s posted speed are a little too sensitive, seemingly also picking up posted speeds of highway exits/entrances as you drive by them. It can be a bit disconcerting, rolling along with traffic at 110+ km/h in what shows up as a 40 km/h zone.
The CX-30 is not perfect. Indeed, Diana is not a big fan of its looks; in her opinion the front end is disproportionately long. (Seriously, Di??!) And as a family ride, know that rear-seat legroom is at a premium if anybody in the front seats is on the taller side. All in all, though, it’s ticking enough of the boxes to be the crossover of choice for our family. If the HR-V wants to usurp it, it’s going to have to be something special.
Keyword: SUV Review: 2022 Mazda CX-30 GT Turbo