The Mazda CX-30 looks and feels way more expensive than its actual price. Does that make it a good deal, or should you buy a larger CX-5, instead?

Shop for the new 2020 Mazda CX-30 on CarGurus: https://cargur.us/BF1zq

Wish the Mazda3 offered more ground clearance and sat up higher off the ground? Never fear, the Mazda CX-30 is here.

The CX-30's design is terrific. And that's especially true of the interior, which looks and feels luxurious as long as you keep your eyes and hands above the midpoint of the cabin's height. Below that, hard plastic is the rule, but given what you pay, you need to expect it.

Mazda's smooth and refined 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine powers the CX-30, providing 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. These figures are more than competitive, but the CX-30 is relatively heavy at 3,408 pounds, as tested. It also doesn't offer a turbocharged engine option, which would improve performance at altitude.

Fortunately, the 6-speed sport automatic transmission is an excellent transmission that knows how to make the most of the available motive force.

In addition to its blizzard-battling ground clearance, the other primary benefit of choosing a Mazda CX-30 over a Mazda3 is the ease of entry and exit. Because it sits so high off of the ground, getting in and getting out is a simpler and more comfortable exercise.

Once you're settled inside, and after you've taken note of how upscale and elegant the interior looks and feels, you'll find a comfortable if snug and intimate driving environment. Soft padding covers the center console and door armrests, as well as the front upper door panels, improving comfort. The driving position is excellent, and Mazda provides large, simple analog gauges for quick reference.

In terms of technology, you could say the Mazda CX-30 supplies everything you need and nothing you don't. And that's not a criticism. However, it would be nice if the infotainment system had a shallower learning curve.

Using an 8.8-inch static display that is deftly melted into the dashboard design, Mazda purposely avoids employing a touchscreen to improve driver focus and attention on the road ahead. The only problem with this approach is that the controls' center console, steering wheel, and voice commands aren't always easy to use, and the way the system operates isn't always intuitive.

Every CX-30 is equipped with plenty of safety features, starting with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. A reversing camera, a driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam LED headlights are also a part of the standard equipment list, along with rain-sensing automatic wipers and, as a part of Mazda Connected Services, a 911 automatic emergency notification system.

For more information on the 2020 Mazda CX-30, read Christian Wardlaw's full review on CarGurus: https://cargur.us/BF1xV

Presenter: Clifford Atiyeh
Cinematography: https://www.VennCreativeMedia.com
Written review: Christian Wardlaw

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0:00 Introducing the Mazda CX-30
0:55 Exterior thoughts
1:53 Interior discussion
3:49 Driving impressions
5:57 Comparisons to other Mazda models
6:22 What we love about the CX-30
7:17 Conclusion and wrap-up