First Drive: 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo

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It’s no secret that Mazda is working on reinventing itself as a manufacturer of premium vehicles. It’s a bold move, audacious even, for a company that doesn’t compete in all vehicle segments, doesn’t have a second luxury brand and doesn’t have the clout or R&D budgets of its larger Asian rivals.

What Mazda does have is a well-deserved reputation for building vehicles with a pronounced sporting verve to them, driver’s cars, in other words. Not just past favourites like the RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars — or the irrepressible MX-5 Miata, still a fan favourite for the past 30-some years — but its sedans , hatchbacks and crossovers as well.

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First Drive: 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Back to video

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Which brings us to the CX-30, new for 2020, a subcompact crossover based on the Mazda3 car and slotted between the even smaller CX-3 and the larger, compact-sized CX-5, Mazda’s best-selling model. In its first year, it became Mazda Canada’s No. 3, behind the CX-5 and Mazda3 — No. 2 in the United States.

Now, Mazda might have lofty goals for the CX-30, but its biggest competition is Subaru’s Crosstrek, a very popular rig in this country. And with Subaru addressing the biggest knock against the Crosstrek — its lack of pep — through the installation of an optional 182-horsepower, 2.5-litre four-cylinder in the 2021 model, the CX-30’s own 186-hp, 2.5L unit was suddenly looking rather ordinary.

Enter the CX-30 Turbo, a new topline trim level for 2021, powered by Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.5 — the same engine as available in the Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-5 and CX-9. With a rather substantial 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque running on 93 octane gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane, the Skyactiv-G provides the CX-30 Turbo with more than enough muscle for its size. Not just compared with usual suspects either — the aforementioned Crosstrek, plus Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V, et al — but also crossovers from what Mazda calls the “premium domain.” Think BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes GLA, Mini Countryman. Now think price — the Turbo is all in at $36,250.

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The Euro-snobs will feign disdain at the thought this Mazda rises above its more common station to be mentioned in the same breath. But the CX-30 Turbo has legit performance bona fides, both in acceleration and handling. And its cabin, while lacking some of the more intimate details of the pricier “premiums,” is nonetheless smartly finished and comprehensively equipped.

Mazda’s engineers don’t seem particularly interested in using acceleration times as a performance metric. But Car and Driver recorded a 5.6-second, zero-to-60-mph time in instrumented testing for the all-wheel-drive Mazda3 2.5 Turbo hatchback, which has the same powertrain as the CX-30 Turbo. Since the latter is some 60 kilograms heavier, a time of about six seconds for the crossover is likely. Not shabby at all for a 1,600-kilogram soft-roader. And even if wide-open throttle beyond the five or so seconds it might take to merge into highway traffic has limited appeal, know that the CX-30 Turbo effortlessly passes slower vehicles with just a dip of the gas pedal. Yes, yes, there is a Sport mode as well as paddle shifters should you want to play Speed Racer, but both really are superfluous. Maximum torque is on tap at 2,500 rpm — on 93 octane — or 2,000 rpm if running regular gasoline.

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While the CX-30 already has better-than-average driving dynamics, the Turbo model gets a few minor revisions due to the additional power from the engine, and a stronger six-speed automatic transmission. The differential mount is enhanced to be able to receive more torque in the rear, which helps the crossover to rotate through a corner more naturally. The suspension was also retuned to be slightly stiffer, but only, says Mazda, to support the heavier turbo engine. That said, the ride is definitely on the firm side, though not punishing.

As part of the standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive system, the crossover features “off-road traction assist,” which, when engaged, recalibrates the AWD and traction control systems to be optimized for off-road use and to help reduce wheel slip. With it engaged, the CX-30 Turbo will start with maximum rear torque and a locked-up centre coupling. As it starts rolling, the system will immediately loosen the coupling and monitor if the tires begin to slip. If there is any speed differential between the front and rear, then the system starts tightening up the coupling.

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If not quite with the same poshness as Mazda’s Signature trim levels found in some of its other vehicles, the CX-30 Turbo cabin still lacks for little, with soft, quality materials, a black upper dash and chrome finishes. Instrumentation is clear, precise and centred on the driver. A head-up display provides traffic sign recognition along with speed and other basic info. There’s a 12-speaker Bose audio system and an 8.8-inch centre display at the top of the centre stack for navigation and audio functions, among others.

Not everything is ergonomically ideal, however. Below the centre display are the buttons that control the HVAC; the ones for air flow and fan speed are small and difficult to locate. And the placement of the knob on the centre console, the one controlling audio and phone functions, requires a glance down, taking your eyes off the road ahead. There’s also the basic fact that, considering its size, the CX-30 doesn’t make for ideal family transportation, at least for those occupying the back row. Toddlers in their child seats or kids in boosters sure; lounging long-legged teenagers not so much.

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With a sporty profile and a shape that splits the difference between the traditional wagon-shaped crossover and a hatchback, the CX-30 is already a looker. Mazda kept the exterior enhancements to the Turbo at a minimum — 18-inch black aluminum alloy wheels, larger tailpipes, gloss black door mirrors and a “Turbo” badge on the liftgate.

There is no shortage of small crossovers to choose from, and the vast majority of them are very competent daily drivers, perfect for the commute and for running errands. This the CX-30 Turbo does as well as its rivals. Where it exceeds is its fun quotient; the Turbo is, in the simplest of terms, the crossover equivalent of the hot hatch. And whether you believe it can hang with the pricier European models or comes up short, the one unassailable fact is that it remains true to Mazda’s commitment to driving enjoyment.