Mazda | On the road

Mazda CX-30

By Bill McCarthy

When you have a winner on your hands, change can be a gamble. As the old adage goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This certainly applies to Mazda’s CX range – a lineup celebrated for striking design and practicality, making these crossover SUVs true head-turners.

.The CX-30 continues to impress as a stylish, fun-to-drive compact SUV that also delivers strong fuel efficiency, and Mazda’s hallmark reliability.

What’s new?

The previous 2.0-litre e-Skyactiv-G (122PS) has been replaced by a 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv-G unit, now producing 140PS and 238Nm of torque – an 18PS and 25Nm increase.

This new engine benefits from cylinder deactivation and Mazda’s M-Hybrid mild-hybrid system, improving efficiency while, says Mazda, delivering smoother acceleration and reduced vibrations.

The manufacturer says its “right-sizing” philosophy ensures optimal combustion, balancing performance and emissions. For those seeking even more power, a 186PS Skyactiv-X variant is also available.

While the updated engine is the key feature, the 2025 model retains its sleek Kodo design language, blending, says Mazda, elegance and sportiness. It does look good, with sharp lines and a sleek, sporty profile.

Aerodynamic touches, like the tapered rear and integrated spoiler, further enhance efficiency. Inside, the cabin remains largely unchanged, but still offers some premium touches.

Exterior features

A stylish SUV, this Exclusive-Line trim includes 18-inch silver alloy wheels, a gloss black front grille, and adaptive LED headlights with signature LED daytime running lights.

In addition, there is privacy glass for rear windows, a powered tailgate, and both front/rear parking sensors with a reversing camera

Inside, the cabin is a comfortable place to be with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, Qi wireless charging, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift.

Central is a 10.25″ screen which controls infotainment via a premium 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, Mazda Connect connectivity for smartphone, Amazon Alex integration and a navigation system with seven years of free European map updates.

Performance:

Acceleration is brisk, if not startling, and hits the 60 mph benchmark in a around 9.5 seconds. An entertaining drive it is, but not at the expense of fuel economy with i-stop idle-stop technology and Mazda’s M Hybrid mild hybrid system delivering improved efficiency and WLTP economy of and impressive 47.1mpg

The CX-30 has always stood out for its engaging drive, and the 2025 model is no exception. The steering remains precise, the chassis well-balanced, and the suspension finely tuned for comfort and agility. It is a fun car to drive, feeling solid and stable on fast corners, but feeling equally at home on the motorway, where decent torque allows for comfortable overtaking.

Space and practicality

This type of vehicle needs to be practical and comfortable and it offers supportive seats with good adjustability and decent head legroom. Boot space is decent, if not class-leading, with 422 litres expanding to a maximum of 1,398 litres with the rear seats folded. In addition, there are bins, cupholders and a deep storage area under the centre console.

Safety

The vehicle is safe, offering a full complement of airbags and equipped with Mazda Radar Cruise Control, lane-keep assist with departure warning, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.

Other features include Smart Brake Support (autonomous emergency braking), driver attention alert, and intelligent speed assist.

Factfile

Mazda CX-30 140ps Exclusive-Line
Price: £29,435
Engine: 2488cc, 140 PS 4-cyl mild hybrid petrol engine driving front wheels via six-speed manual gearbox
Top speed: 121 mph
0-62 mph: 9.7 sec
Economy: 47.1 mpg
CO2 emissions: 136g/km
Insurance group: 17E
Warranty: 3 year/60,000 miles

Mazda CX-60

By Bill McCarthy

It may seem a tad strange to be introducing a diesel engine in the days of the race to zero emissions and previous diesel scandals.

Mazda is undeterred and actually bullish about its new 3.3 litre e-Skyactive in the mid-range CX-60, saying it is one of the cleanest and most efficient in the world.

Clearly, the firm has identified potential markets citing high-mileage drivers and those towing regularly. The engine’s high torque delivery gives it a 2,500kg trailer weight towing capacity.

It has already proved its pedigree, a challenger to the German and Swedish premium brands, the car continues to look fresh and attractive with a dynamic, sculpted elegance that gives it real road credibility.

Both existing PHEV and new diesel models are offered in three model grades, which are: Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi.

They all offer high levels of equipment and cutting edge technology, putting them firmly at the premium end of the market.

Innovations include high-end safety equipment, and connectivity through Mazda Connect for phone apps, to control vehicle settings, as well as mirroring phone settings on the touchscreen, which also controls navigation, infotainment through the high end Bose system.

‘Crafted in Japan’ is the interior theme, and all feature leather upholstery and heated front seats, heated steering wheel and front seats and head-up display. Move up the grades and you get more equipment.

Innovation is also the key here with diesel, due to be phased out in new cars from 2030, but will still be on the roads for years beyond that and the new 3.208 unit offers plenty.

The six-cylinder unit is available with two power levels — a 254PS all-wheel drive beast with 550nM of torque, assisted by a 48v mild-hybrid electric motor — and a less powerful 200PS unit available with rear-wheel drive only.

The firm calls it the ‘right solution at the right time, it features the fancy-named Distribution-Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) Technology, which helps it achieve a thermal efficiency (the relationship between the total energy contained in the fuel, and the amount of energy used to perform useful work) of over 40 per cent.

The 200PS engine returns a WLTP average fuel consumption of 56.5mpg with CO2 emissions of only 129g/km in rear-wheel drive while the AWD 254PS WLTP average is 53.3mpg with CO2 emissions from 137g/km.

The drive comes via a slick-shifting eight-speed auto box, which can be switched to steering wheel paddles for a more engaging drive, and engaging Sport mode, to sharpen up engine and suspension responses.

The more powerful version delivers instant power and hauls the 2.5 tonne vehicle to 60mph in an impressive 7.5 seconds with the pleasant thrum of the six-cylinder power unit always in the background.

Not much is lost with the two-wheel drive version, just one second slower to 60mph.

It certainly made an impression on a lengthy test run around the Scottish borders and managed to get pretty close to the official figures.

On a combination of main drags, twisting country roads and potholed narrow lanes, the car handled well, leaning well into corners and feeling stable when cornering.

There is a little wind noise and the large wheels, up to 20-inch, can mean significant road noise on poorer surfaces. But it also offers excellent manoeuvrability for such a big vehicle with an excellent turning circle.

The ride is also pretty good, but did get unsettled on some of the rougher tracks, but overall it is a comfortable and refined SUV,

As an SUV it is also highly practical, offering plenty of space for five occupants together with a large 520-litre boot which opens up into a cavernous space with the rear seats folded.

All Mazdas are packed with safety kit with a comprehensive array of airbags, while the newcomer adds a new 360-degree monitor with extended field of view at low speeds; Hill Descent Control (HDC); Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC), and Traffic Sign Recognition.

The new engine also demonstrates there’s life in the diesel market.

Prices start at £42,990 rising to £50,730 on the road.

On the road

Tag Archives: Mazda

Efficiency Meets Elegance with 2025 Mazda