Page 36 - Waterfall Issue 3 2021

Waterfall motoring Test Review

The Cx-30 employs the signature
Mazda kodo design language yet
there is something different. From
the front, with its large Mazda
grille, LED headlights and sharp
creases, it looks low and mean like
a coupe. Yet from the rear, with
the unusually rounded taillights,
it looks pure SuV. Polar opposites?
Maybe, but it blends together into
an extremely elegant shape overall
- and there is abundant leg and
headroom in the rear seat as well.

Powered by the familiar 2l 4-cylinder
petrol engine developing 121kW
and 213Nm, the Cx-30 felt best to
me at cruising speeds. This is a car
in which you want to sit back and
enjoy the journey, aided by the
premium Bose sound system that
is standard in the Individual model.
The car is quite capable of pushing
on and the superb chassis proved
itself very agile on my standard
cruise through to Hartebeespoort.

The car is matched to a 6-speed
torque converter automatic
transmission driving the front wheels.
Flappy paddles are provided on
Dynamic and Individual models. In
the past, I have often criticised this
gearbox as holding the ratios for too
long and generally creating a noisy
and almost nervous environment . . . Mazda, surely navigation should I don’t say this very often but the
engage the Sport mode at your peril! be standard and not require the Cx-30 could easily fit into my personal
However, in the Cx-30, the entire additional purchase of an SD card? garage (along with a convertible
experience has been transformed. and an actual 4x4 of course).
Now the car purrs along smoothly Our average fuel economy for a week of
and gearshifts are seamless. general driving was 7.1l/100km. Taking As tested, the Cx-30 Individual
This defines premium to me. into account that the test car arrived is currently priced at R540 000,
with less than 300km on the clock, I with the range starting from
As you would expect from a top am sure that this can be improved. R469 900. Note that all derivatives have
model today, the car provides every the same engine/gearbox combination.
luxury, including Active braking, To conclude – and I will stick my neck
lane departure, Active cruise control out here or even eat my hat – this The Mazda 3-year uNLIMITED mileage
and infotainment touchscreen. But is a car that I could buy for myself. warranty and service plan are included.

Launch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44TIjtla-QE

Full test review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVisQG_OHzU

34 Waterfall Issue 3 2021