Latest news with #MazdaCX-30Turbo
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
7 Secrets that Make Mazda SUVs and Sedans Fan Favorites — and 1 Common Complaint
Why do people love Mazda so much? It's not just that they flat-out look good: Mazda SUVs and sedans cars have evolved elegantly over time into one of the most sublime brands on the road. Exterior design is on point, from front ends that are perfectly tapered to the well proportioned rear ends that don't look bulky but do the job when it comes to cargo. Inside Mazda's SUVs and sedans are elegantly appointed and designed with a sense of zen that keeps chaos at bay. And then, they are fun to drive. Still building on the reputation of 'zoom zoom,' Mazda's SUVs and sedans, as well as the MX-5 Miata sports car, are known for being fun on the road—but what do they do differently? That is just one of the secrets of this car brand with a dedicated following. Another secret is that Mazda SUVs and sedans are affordable, yet still retain a refined design sensibility and a fun feel; the company has positioned them as 'premium,' and that idea comes through in each of these 7 delicious secrets that make these cars so lovable. This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Soul Red Crystal Metallic. I'll just start here. It's so deeply reflective you can use it to touch up your makeup. The color is so pensive you can look at it all day. I'd plaster my walls in it if I could What makes it, as well as other colors on the Mazda palette, so beautiful? Mazda's paint process layers pigment with translucent color and clear coat until the finish is almost foil-like, deep and reflective. The sinuous panels and simple creases in the body of each model further reflect the depth of the color. And it's mesmerizing. Mazda SUVs and sedans are largely thought to have the best red paint in the auto biz. Read: Navigating the Great Outdoors in the 2024 Mazda CX-50 'Do you really need premium fuel? Or can you use regular' is a debate car enthusiasts and fearful motorists have all the time. Many car makers *recommend* premium fuel, but aren't clear why. Others just recommend regular. Mazda tells you up front exactly why: You can generate more power using premium in its models dubbed 'turbo.' In the Mazda CX-30 Turbo for instance, you'll generate 227 HP using regular gas but 250 HP using premium. In the CX-90 Turbo you'll produce 280 HP with regular gas but 332 with premium. Check the engine specs to be sure the model you're looking at will get a boost from using premium before loading up on it. Isn't that clever? And transparent? Read: A Torque Story Part Deux: The Mazda CX-30 Turbo SUV Will Make Your Soul Soar We can't love this little detail more. Mazda wanted to fast track a hybrid to the market so it partnered with the top hybrid maker, Toyota. The hybrid system found in the Mazda CX-50 is the same found in the Toyota RAV4 hybrid. The similarities pretty much end there. The RAV4 then follows its own adventurous spirit down the trim trail, while the Mazda SUV goes upscale with leather, tailored details and a competitive price. Read: Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Vs. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: Which is Better? Mazda was the first carmaker to offer head up displays to drivers of small, sporty but affordable cars. That's because it's as much a safety feature as it is a luxury. Back in the day, Mazda's HUD systems were clever little screens that sat on top of the dashboard; today they are fully integrated into the dash and as sophisticated as any on the market with turn by turn directions, radio information and road signs. Where Mazda still differs from the rest of the market, however, is that nearly all its models offer a HUD and it can be had at almost every level. The MX-5 Miata is the exception, but you can't have everything. This is another Mazda principle we can get behind: everyone should have leather, or it's nearly indiscernible cousin, leatherette. In fact, only a few base models even offer cloth trim; the rest offer leather or its alternative. But better than those options, leather isn't a budget-buster. It's a standard of quality. And all who have had sweaty footballers, spilling toddlers or drooling dogs in the rear seat know: Cloth seats, once soiled, will never be redeemed. If you're like me, you love a manual transmission. It's a driver's treasure, putting you at one with the machine, making you work for the fun and rewarding you with the feeling of accomplishment. And, it's just pure fun and how (many say) a car should be driven. But going with the wisdom of the masses, most car makers have given up on the stick shift, adding paddle shifters or maybe, ambient lighting and louder sound systems to make us forget that being behind the wheel should be fun. Not Mazda. The company will never, so they say, give up manuals in the MX-5 Miata or the Mazda 3. Arigatō. Many drivers struggle to find the right seat position, risking poor visibility, or worse, from a sore back and neck to lack of control over the car. But no amount of lumbar support or neck-craning can improve your control when you can't see the road. So, Mazda created a Driver Personalization System for the CX-90 and CX-70. This system takes just a few minutes to set up using in-car cameras and prompts on the multimedia system to adjust the seat position, height and mirrors so that your eyes are perfectly aligned to your ideal field of vision. Then, it records the settings to your driver profile so you'll always be perfectly situated for your drive. Read: 6 Driving Mistakes You're Making — and 6 Minutes to Being a Better Driver And that's just the start of complaints with the multimedia system: Even fans of Mazda complain that the system feels dated; its graphics haven't changed much over the years, and it offers has limited features, lacking things like voice activated assistance. Also, Mazda has continued to use a dial controller on the center console to operate the system because it helps to keep the driver's eyes focused on the road, which of course, is safer. There is one little work-around, however, which might be secret #8: the screen is touch-sensitive in newer models when Apple CarPlay is in use. Maybe drivers who know this are the ones who don't complain; they simply hop in and zoom-zoom. The rest don't care enough to abandon Mazda. Which is not a surprise. The entire lineup, top to bottom, is filled with delight. More must-reads: The Best Foldable Stroller Wagons for Travel, Family Beach Trips and More Have you heard about Ford Warriors in Pink?
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
See Every Angle of the 2025 Mazda CX-30 Turbo
There aren't many legitimately fun-to-drive subcompact SUVs, but the Mazda CX-30 Turbo is one of them. Read our full review of the 2025 Mazda CX-30 Turbo here. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Is a Crossover That's Fun to Drive
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 Turbo punches its way into the budget-premium-car space with an abundance of driving panache and interior features at a tantalizing price. Crossovers of this size are typically lifeless, soul-sucking appliances to drive, but Mazda has managed to deliver a much more compelling car in this high-riding package. Compromise on utility compared to rivals is necessary, but as long as space isn't a dealbreaker, everything else about the CX-30 Turbo makes up for that downside. This is a baby SUV you can actually look forward to driving. Our expert editors test every vehicle we review. Read more about how we test and review cars here. Mazda offers two powertrains with the CX-30, both with 2.5-liter inline-four engines. The naturally aspirated version makes 191 hp, and the turbocharged version tested here gives up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft but only if running on 93 octane. On 87 octane, Mazda quotes 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. Mazda's trusty six-speed automatic is the only transmission available, and it doles out power through a standard all-wheel-drive system. It's a great package on paper, and with Mazda's penchant for superb chassis tuning, a great to drive too. Vehicle tested: 2025 Mazda CX-30 Carbon Turbo Base Price: $34,360 Price as tested: $34,360 Location: Royal Oak, Michigan Engine: 2488cc turbocharged inline-four Power: 250 hp @ 5000 rpm Torque: 320 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm 0-60 mph: 6.1-sec (est) Transmission: 6-speed auto, all-wheel drive Weight: 3527 pounds EPA MPG: 22 / 30 / 25 (City / Highway / Combined) The CX-30 Turbo takes the essential goodness of the regular CX-30 and adds some much-needed oomph. Despite its small capacity, the engine is a torque monster, unleashing its full peak from just 2500 rpm. The pull trails off as you get close to the 6300-rpm redline, but my butt dyno still reckoned the 60-mph time would be in the low-six-second range, with each new gear putting the motor to its torque peak. The CX-30 Turbo didn't sound especially sporty when worked hard, but there is a satisfying growl through the cabin under full acceleration. The penalty for enjoying all the performance is fuel economy, with the Turbo losing 4 mpg combined versus the naturally aspirated version on official numbers and probably more in the real world where the eagerness to get off the line serves to worsen economy—it's endlessly tempting to accelerate hard from every stop. Mazda hasn't quite delivered a hot hatch on stilts, but the CX-30 Turbo is a better handler than anything outside luxury-badged rivals within this segment—cars like the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 and the BMW X2 M35i, which cost nearly twice as much. Heavy, feelsome steering gives the Mazda a sense of connection similar to the one generated by the less-tall Mazda 3 Turbo hatchback, although the crossover's higher seating position and center of gravity create more lean in corners. The CX-30 will also happily go places the Mazda 3 can't thanks to up to eight inches of ground clearance. The Turbo's adept handling comes at a slight cost in ride quality. During my drive, it crashed through potholes and plodded a little harder than it should have over frost heaves, doubtless due to the stiffer suspension that supports the Turbo's heavier mass than the naturally aspirated version. Mazda doesn't use adaptive dampers, so selecting the Sport drive mode only tweaks throttle response and transmission tuning. That means the drive experience is largely one-size-fits-all, but skillful tuning means the CX-30 Turbo delivers across the board. As usual with Mazda, the CX-30's interior is way nicer than buyers will likely expect for the $34,000 price point. A wide range of interior color options are available in real leather and work wonders combined with the minimalistic design aesthetic. You could swap out the Mazda badges for those of a legitimate luxury automaker and most people wouldn't bat an eye. What makes the cockpit great is more than just appearances. Mazda cares about functionality in a way many automakers no longer seem to, and the dedication to providing physical buttons, knobs, and toggles for virtually every oft-used function is appreciated. On the climate panel, every control either turns or clicks with satisfying feedback, as do those on the steering wheel. The Turbo's 10.3-inch infotainment screen is an upgrade over the regular CX-30's standard 8.8-inch display and sits atop the dashboard within the driver's line of sight. It is easy to control and runs both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While I loved the CX-30's distraction-defying ergonomics, there are some packaging issues. The rear doors are small, making it annoying to slide in and out of the tight rear seats. This is a small car, but alternatives like the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Kicks combine similar dimensions with way more space for rear-seat occupants. The cargo space beneath the Mazda's stunted hatchback is similarly limited—just 20 cubic feet with the seats in place. So long as you aren't trying to stuff multiple kids or a whole family's possessions into it, the CX-30 Turbo is a solid choice. Of course, if space is even less of a concern, then you could go one step smaller and buy the dynamically superior Mazda 3 Turbo instead. But within the subcompact-SUV segment, the CX-30 feels like the best option for anybody who prioritizes driving pleasure. Although it sits at the top of the CX-30 range, the Turbo is good enough to be considered a legitimate rival to significantly more expensive competition like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Audi Q3, or the Volvo XC40. You can buy a fully loaded CX-30 Turbo for the same money as entry-level versions of those alternatives, with Mazda winning on value and giving nothing away on driving dynamics. For anyone looking for something small and tall that still drives great, the CX-30 Turbo is a triumph. Nearly as good to drive as its hatchback sibling. Interior quality presents like an entry-level luxury car. Lots of technology but keeps physical controls to boost usability. Rear seat space and cargo room is tight. Ride can be a little lumpy over rougher surfaces. Mazda's instrument cluster is a beautiful combination of digital and analog. There's a 7.0-inch screen that is overlapped by analog instruments, giving the sensation of upscale dials with the flexibility to change the display content. It also allows for a physical rev counter, a touch any enthusiast will appreciate. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
