Good review, but sorry man, I'm honestly really tired of reviewers complaining about Mazdas not having a touchscreen... I'd say "to each their own" if that were true, but touchscreens while driving are unacceptable and unsafe for everyone else, too.... reference the "distracted driving" accident and fatality stats; #1 cause of auto accidents. Kudos to Mazda for bucking the worst trend in modern cars and sticking to their ethics.
I can see what you are saying. In my experience evaluating 50 vehicles a year for the past 16 years, I have found every type of interface to be distracting in its own right, but some are less distracting. The issue with Mazda is that while it may seem simple, it complicates the simple, such as switching radio stations in SiriusXM (which cannot be done using the volume/seek dial on the console). Using Apple CarPlay necessitates that you either overreach with your hand or use the large rotary dial, both of which are bad options while driving. So I do not give points to Mazda for this system. It's outmoded and should be completely rethought. ---Cliff
Totally agree The mazda system is well done and easy and intuitive to use. I much much prefer it over my cars with a dirty finger-prinnty touch screen. I agree with the radio station changing but that is it
I've got the MX-5 2022 which has a similar "issue". I prefer using Android Auto on mine and controlling most features with Google Assistant (voice commands). The only time I actually use the rotary dial is when turning on the shuffle feature in Spotify (since for some reason it can't be done via voice)... All of the other car features are still manual in the MX-5 to take less attention away from driving, which is a good thing. Driving shouldn't just be getting from point A to B, it should be enjoyed in-between! Kudos Mazda, for actually respecting/understanding this.
I love my 2021 cx30 gotta admit it took me a while to learn the infotainment but now I don't even have to look at the buttons. I've put 40k miles of trouble free driving on it
My Girlfriend bought the 2023 Premium Package for $35.500... The car is Absolutely Spectacular, has all the Bells and Whistles. Bose Speakers, Heated Seats and So Much more. She took the Car on a 6 hr Trip and it Performed Beautifully.. I personally have drove this Car and I Don't understand where You say the pickup is Slow? The Car gets up and goes when You ask it. She got this Car in Jet Black Mica and it Makes it that Much Sweeter Looking.. The Car is a Head Turner... She also got a Lifetime Warranty on the Powertrain. Just want to give John Lee Mazda in Panama City Florida a Shout out..Mazda Knocked this One out of the Park!!! Zoom Zoom 😎
Sorry dude, rotary dial is superior even in Android Auto. They only added touchscreen for the complainers. The rotary dial and dedicated buttons for music and nav are way less distracting than trying to touch a screen while in motion.
I drive for a living... and I 2nd, 3rd, and 4th this OP comment! Touch screens are almost as dangerous as cell phones. There is just something hardwired into humans about placing BOTH eyeballs and hand on a screen that takes ALL attention off the road. If I just glance at a screen, my peripheral vision will still see the road to the front and side. The instant I REACH to touch that screen, my peripheral vision turns off instantly and completely. I can't understand the difference... I just know that there IS a difference and is HUGE. My hand operating a controller that is not in my vision does not pull my awareness away from the road. I can see the info screen and the road at the same time. The moment my my vision begins to guide my hand... something turns off and all I see is what my hand is doing. I've experienced it, but I cannot tell you what it is... it's just that there is something about hand-needing-eye coordination that PULLS attention away. Whereas just hand-using-feel does not.
Exactly! This transmission works extremely well, and is reliable. There really is nothing to complain about, unless you are a youtuber car reviewer wannabe that drives a car for an hour.
Sorry, but the comments about the infotainment is just idiotic. The controller system is less distracting and more comfortable to use during driving. It beats the hell out of the touch dependent systems. It lets Mazda put the screen further away in the view so you do not have to take your eyes off the road when using the screen. Another positive is that the dash design is very tasteful unlike rest of the competition that have atrocious dashboards. You can see that they are clearly struggling with it wanting to put the screen where it can be touched and also would be easier to look at it but in the end have failed. I really feel sorry for Mazda because they have clearly thought this system out from the perspective of ergonomics and driving safety only to be berated by idiot phone junky car reviewers.
completely disagree with the more/less gears argument that you make. I drive a 2013 highlander and one of the things I love is the 5 speed trasmission. I like that it doesn't constantly shift and jerk me forward and backwards from shifting all the time.
It's less about the outright number of gears but how those gears are paired with the torque band of the engine. I drive a 4-speed on my Volvo, and that works fine. The benefit of higher-gear transmissions with modern turbocharged engines is that it reduces that jerky effect of shifting from widely spaced gear ratios. These engines benefit from more gears below the top two overdrive gears. Think of it like a staircase. Instead of stretching your leg to climb over two steps, you can more easily step onto one. --Cliff
Although the Mazda CX-30 would not meet my needs, I truly appreciate this CarGurus review. As usual, this presenter offers valuable insight with an engaging communication style. Keep up the good work!
Use the rotary dial for 1 week and you'll prefer it. It's much easier to use while driving than a flat touch screen. It just has a slight learning curve.
That rotary dial system is child’s play and works great!!!! Keeps your eyes looking FORWARD!!! Mazda really understands human behavior and the system just works
There is actually a huge improvement for 2024 that I hardly see mentioned anywhere. They made suspension improvements for a better ride on all trim levels! I just traded in my 2021 because it was such an improvement!
Got my 2021 CX-30 Premium level and loved everything but the infotainment system (only 100 knobs, twists, punches, and buttons to get to the Sirius station you want). Great for a daily driver and it did well on longer cruises. I only have 18K miles on my 36K -- so that's on me -- but I'm going to get another lease on a 2024.
If that silver front/side trim & roof rails were all blacked-out from the factory, it would look 100x better. That's what I had to do to mine via aftermarket vinyl wrapping certain portions of the vehicle, after I bought it in early 2022.
Disclaimer by one of the major sites: ******* accepts vehicle loans from auto manufacturers with a tank of gas and sometimes insurance for. the purpose of evaluation and editorial content. Like most of the auto news industry, we also sometimes accept trade, lodging, and event access for vehicle drive and news coverage opportunities.
Touchscreens are far more distracting than rotary control systems! Too many reviewers complain about touchscreens, so a typical Cliff stupid comment. Shame BMW and Audi dropped mmi etc…..
This car looks really nice, but that backseat just is terrible now with the way cars are getting bigger. I used to own a Honda Accord coupe, and this backseat doesn't look that much better than the one in my old accord coupe in terms of width and legroom.
Before they put in another transmission they need to put in a complete redesign…the exterior looked dated (early ‘90s mini-minivan?) even when it first debuted.
Mazda makes nice crossovers BUT for me, I don't like the interior. Hate that non-touch infotainment screen almost as much as I hate the Crosstrek vertical screen (no buttons either!) -- sat inside a Mazda 3 years ago and felt like I was cramped in a phone booth (remember those fellow boomers?). For me, it's the new Hyundai Kona Limited (EV or 1.6L turbo ICE) or Toyota Cross hybrid (if I can get one to test drive first). I would get a Toyota RAV4 Plug-in though, but RAV4 won't fit in my garage so it's a smaller crossover for me!
I disagree There are sufficient gears for 99% of drivers and driving. Yes an overdrive 7th would be nice for hwy travel but it is not necessary and as a former german make owner, my cx30 has NO mechanical/warranty issues unlike the germans AND maintenance on a yearly basis is a fraction of the cost of the Germans .
I have had 2 mazda's. Loved them but their paint quality HORSE Poop and is the thinnest easiest chipping paint compared to any other vehicle I have owned.
according to online sites the MAZDA 3 has slightly more Cargo space, but the cx-30 has 8 inches ground clearance while the Mazda 3 Hatch has 5.5, the height of the mazda 3 is 56.7 and the cx 30 is 62.2, while surprisingly the length of the Mazda 3 is longer at 175.6 to the cx-30 173 inches. they are basically the same car
Good review, but sorry man, I'm honestly really tired of reviewers complaining about Mazdas not having a touchscreen... I'd say "to each their own" if that were true, but touchscreens while driving are unacceptable and unsafe for everyone else, too.... reference the "distracted driving" accident and fatality stats; #1 cause of auto accidents. Kudos to Mazda for bucking the worst trend in modern cars and sticking to their ethics.
I can see what you are saying. In my experience evaluating 50 vehicles a year for the past 16 years, I have found every type of interface to be distracting in its own right, but some are less distracting. The issue with Mazda is that while it may seem simple, it complicates the simple, such as switching radio stations in SiriusXM (which cannot be done using the volume/seek dial on the console). Using Apple CarPlay necessitates that you either overreach with your hand or use the large rotary dial, both of which are bad options while driving. So I do not give points to Mazda for this system. It's outmoded and should be completely rethought. ---Cliff
If they don’t want a touchscreen, they should just have traditional physical buttons
Totally agree The mazda system is well done and easy and intuitive to use. I much much prefer it over my cars with a dirty finger-prinnty touch screen. I agree with the radio station changing but that is it
I've got the MX-5 2022 which has a similar "issue". I prefer using Android Auto on mine and controlling most features with Google Assistant (voice commands). The only time I actually use the rotary dial is when turning on the shuffle feature in Spotify (since for some reason it can't be done via voice)... All of the other car features are still manual in the MX-5 to take less attention away from driving, which is a good thing. Driving shouldn't just be getting from point A to B, it should be enjoyed in-between! Kudos Mazda, for actually respecting/understanding this.
skill issue.
I love my 2021 cx30 gotta admit it took me a while to learn the infotainment but now I don't even have to look at the buttons. I've put 40k miles of trouble free driving on it
My Girlfriend bought the 2023 Premium Package for $35.500... The car is Absolutely Spectacular, has all the Bells and Whistles. Bose Speakers, Heated Seats and So Much more. She took the Car on a 6 hr Trip and it Performed Beautifully.. I personally have drove this Car and I Don't understand where You say the pickup is Slow? The Car gets up and goes when You ask it. She got this Car in Jet Black Mica and it Makes it that Much Sweeter Looking.. The Car is a Head Turner... She also got a Lifetime Warranty on the Powertrain. Just want to give John Lee Mazda in Panama City Florida a Shout out..Mazda Knocked this One out of the Park!!! Zoom Zoom 😎
Sorry dude, rotary dial is superior even in Android Auto. They only added touchscreen for the complainers. The rotary dial and dedicated buttons for music and nav are way less distracting than trying to touch a screen while in motion.
I drive for a living... and I 2nd, 3rd, and 4th this OP comment!
Touch screens are almost as dangerous as cell phones. There is just something hardwired into humans about placing BOTH eyeballs and hand on a screen that takes ALL attention off the road.
If I just glance at a screen, my peripheral vision will still see the road to the front and side. The instant I REACH to touch that screen, my peripheral vision turns off instantly and completely. I can't understand the difference... I just know that there IS a difference and is HUGE.
My hand operating a controller that is not in my vision does not pull my awareness away from the road. I can see the info screen and the road at the same time. The moment my my vision begins to guide my hand... something turns off and all I see is what my hand is doing.
I've experienced it, but I cannot tell you what it is... it's just that there is something about hand-needing-eye coordination that PULLS attention away. Whereas just hand-using-feel does not.
@@ericwolfe8119 A well-said parley!!
I'm glad it works better for you. In my practice, I find Mazda's system to take more time than it should to complete a simple task. --Cliff
First time I heard someone complaining about the 6 gear trans😂😂😂😂 overall is a good engine trans car
Exactly! This transmission works extremely well, and is reliable. There really is nothing to complain about, unless you are a youtuber car reviewer wannabe that drives a car for an hour.
You should've heard Alex on Autos...
Sorry, but the comments about the infotainment is just idiotic. The controller system is less distracting and more comfortable to use during driving. It beats the hell out of the touch dependent systems. It lets Mazda put the screen further away in the view so you do not have to take your eyes off the road when using the screen. Another positive is that the dash design is very tasteful unlike rest of the competition that have atrocious dashboards. You can see that they are clearly struggling with it wanting to put the screen where it can be touched and also would be easier to look at it but in the end have failed.
I really feel sorry for Mazda because they have clearly thought this system out from the perspective of ergonomics and driving safety only to be berated by idiot phone junky car reviewers.
completely disagree with the more/less gears argument that you make. I drive a 2013 highlander and one of the things I love is the 5 speed trasmission. I like that it doesn't constantly shift and jerk me forward and backwards from shifting all the time.
It's less about the outright number of gears but how those gears are paired with the torque band of the engine. I drive a 4-speed on my Volvo, and that works fine. The benefit of higher-gear transmissions with modern turbocharged engines is that it reduces that jerky effect of shifting from widely spaced gear ratios. These engines benefit from more gears below the top two overdrive gears. Think of it like a staircase. Instead of stretching your leg to climb over two steps, you can more easily step onto one. --Cliff
Although the Mazda CX-30 would not meet my needs, I truly appreciate this CarGurus review. As usual, this presenter offers valuable insight with an engaging communication style. Keep up the good work!
Use the rotary dial for 1 week and you'll prefer it. It's much easier to use while driving than a flat touch screen. It just has a slight learning curve.
I can’t wait for Mazda to update the look of this car. A little less cladding and a little more aggressive rear end would do wonders!
Top selling in their lineup 💯
The visibility is not POOR in any respect, it’s pretty good, also the rotary dial is not distracting at all! It’s easier and better than touch screen
Love the dial!!
rear visibility would REALLY be nice in a car review, ya think?
That rotary dial system is child’s play and works great!!!! Keeps your eyes looking FORWARD!!! Mazda really understands human behavior and the system just works
Stop with the touch screen I hate touch screens. Give me round knobs all day .
There is actually a huge improvement for 2024 that I hardly see mentioned anywhere. They made suspension improvements for a better ride on all trim levels! I just traded in my 2021 because it was such an improvement!
Got my 2021 CX-30 Premium level and loved everything but the infotainment system (only 100 knobs, twists, punches, and buttons to get to the Sirius station you want). Great for a daily driver and it did well on longer cruises. I only have 18K miles on my 36K -- so that's on me -- but I'm going to get another lease on a 2024.
Some of us like small cars that are what he'd consider "cramped". They're like a fine fitting shoe, so long as they are well made. Cool video.
Imagine how enjoyable a 6 speed manual would be
Too bad we have to imagine
If that silver front/side trim & roof rails were all blacked-out from the factory, it would look 100x better. That's what I had to do to mine via aftermarket vinyl wrapping certain portions of the vehicle, after I bought it in early 2022.
It has a nice design
;) i'm ok with the six gears as long as it doesn't break. And the info system is same as BMW and so no learning curve here.
I just brought the mild hybrid. Driving in Singapore we can’t drive fast….fuel economy is fantastic.
If you are going to pass or are accelerating on a ramp, use the paddle shifter to go down a gear or maybe two.
I was interested in this car but I'm
6'1". How tall is the guy testing this car.?
Disclaimer by one of the major sites: ******* accepts vehicle loans from auto manufacturers with a tank of gas and sometimes insurance for. the purpose of evaluation and editorial content. Like most of the auto news industry, we also sometimes accept trade, lodging, and event access for vehicle drive and news coverage opportunities.
Touchscreens are far more distracting than rotary control systems! Too many reviewers complain about touchscreens, so a typical Cliff stupid comment. Shame BMW and Audi dropped mmi etc…..
Platinum Quartz or Polymetal gray?
Go look at this Car in Jet Black Mica.. You'll Like it, trust Me..😎
The polymetal gray is great, I'm loving it on the Carbon Edition
6 gears is amazing...less faults, less gear hunting
Are there USB ports in the fold down armrest in the back seat like they are in the CX50? Or they might have them in the center console.
Maybe I'm thinking of the heated seat switches.
There's 2 USB-C ports in the center under the armrest. There's none in the back.
I prefer that transmission to a CVT!
So much cx30 in used car dealership, why?
How tall is this presenter? He makes the CX-30 look like a sedan when standing next to it.
I am 5-foot-11, or 180 cm. --Cliff
bro taller than the car.
This car looks really nice, but that backseat just is terrible now with the way cars are getting bigger. I used to own a Honda Accord coupe, and this backseat doesn't look that much better than the one in my old accord coupe in terms of width and legroom.
For you, there's the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50.
@@tonysterbenc CX5 is nice.
Might as well be a 2 door
If only they did that still like the old S-10 Blazers. And I wasn't going to pay double for the 2-door Bronco.
Before they put in another transmission they need to put in a complete redesign…the exterior looked dated (early ‘90s mini-minivan?) even when it first debuted.
Many people disagree with you, including multiple reviewers and this poster.
@@YankeeMav Uh... who's Mayor Wu?
Mazda makes nice crossovers BUT for me, I don't like the interior. Hate that non-touch infotainment screen almost as much as I hate the Crosstrek vertical screen (no buttons either!) -- sat inside a Mazda 3 years ago and felt like I was cramped in a phone booth (remember those fellow boomers?). For me, it's the new Hyundai Kona Limited (EV or 1.6L turbo ICE) or Toyota Cross hybrid (if I can get one to test drive first). I would get a Toyota RAV4 Plug-in though, but RAV4 won't fit in my garage so it's a smaller crossover for me!
Nice vehicle, except for the ugly black wheels. This fad looks awful as if people forget to take their winter wheels off.
I disagree There are sufficient gears for 99% of drivers and driving. Yes an overdrive 7th would be nice for hwy travel but it is not necessary and as a former german make owner, my cx30 has NO mechanical/warranty issues unlike the germans AND maintenance on a yearly basis is a fraction of the cost of the Germans .
I have had 2 mazda's. Loved them but their paint quality HORSE Poop and is the thinnest easiest chipping paint compared to any other vehicle I have owned.
I'd really like a Made in Japan Spirit Racing CX-30 or hybrid CX-30 at the very least
according to online sites the MAZDA 3 has slightly more Cargo space, but the cx-30 has 8 inches ground clearance while the Mazda 3 Hatch has 5.5, the height of the mazda 3 is 56.7 and the cx 30 is 62.2, while surprisingly the length of the Mazda 3 is longer at 175.6 to the cx-30 173 inches. they are basically the same car
It is not a the most affordable SUV!!! lol
He said it’s Mazda’s most affordable SUV, which it is.
obviously doesnt know much about drivetrains.