2021 Mazda CX30 Turbo: Test Drive

We test the powerful Mazda CX30 AWD 2.5T on our favorite desert back roads to see how it performs, handles and what it's really like to live with. Full drive review.

[EazybakeEvan]

chuck liddell doing car reviews now? i'm in!

[TyroneGibson]

Disengaging the electronic parking brake is not as difficult or cumbersome as you make it out to be. You just have to press in the foot brake and then push the electronic brake button down to disengage it. Literally takes less than 2 seconds of my time. I even appreciate that the electronic brake is automatically engaged once I turn my car off.

As for the critique on going through the plethora of menus to get to the radio stations, there’s a button on the steering wheel, next to the volume buttons and in the center of the buttons used for “seek”, where you can change the source by pressing it once or twice.

You can even press the large knob to bring up the manual tuner controls so that, if you wanted to, you could change channels by turning the knob like an old fashion radio rotary.

Bottom line, it’s like you didn’t spend any significant amount of time figuring out anything but have the gall to claim that the entertainment system is not intuitive. I was able to figure out most, if not all, the system’s features within the first 10 mins of my test drive, prior to my purchase, without the aid of a manual or any other instructional guide.

I have a host of other issues with your review, but the gist of it is this: it’s evident that you didn’t take the time to know the vehicle you’re driving and it’s evident that you haphazardly slapped together a review just for the sake of having one. I’ve seen numerous critical, and positive, video reviews but at least their critiques held substantive weight to them and contained relevant, and accurate, points.

I’m usually not critical of content created by others, but this one left a very bad taste in my mouth. You should have workshopped this one much more before you uploaded it.

[tisha]

Honestly this is the only poor review of this car I’ve ever seen in my life and I watched a million reviews a day and have driven this vehicle and even the lower trims are super impressive. But hey if this is your take then...🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

[baxter]

Automatic parking brake and release is a safety feature. All the time spent trying to figure out how to turn off automatic parking brake, you can simply press the button to release it. For me that's not a big annoyance.

[joec.]

The control dial is as intuitive as can be and keeps your eyes at driving level. Mazda really understands stress free driving dynamics.

[milespatrick]

Not an honest review. Fell in love with this car coming from a Mini Cooper. I’m 6ft and can fit comfy behind my own seat as well. Feels expensive. This one may have been a lemon 🤣

[thomasmazzola]

This is the worst review you’ve ever done. How hard is it to just push the parking button. Every other reviewer has loved this vehicle. I test drove it and loved it. Not one rattle, maybe your the problem.

[Dajuro]

The steering is "not good"?
The responsive steering is why I bought this .
Also - I've had mine for 8 months, still quiet and smooth. . what rattle in the trim are you talking about?
It's like you're talking about a different car.

[hiwaystar]

Tune a station? Use the favorites button.

[jaybrentlinger]

What a whiner. I have owned this car for 2 years and it is awesome. How hard is it to push the button to release the EPB. This guy would complain about water because it is too wet.

[differencemaker]

To be clear you are complaining about tuning an XM radio channel right? I just set my favs from the XM menu and I'm good. I have a 6 with the same infotainment. FM radio does have a tune knob.

[jackfishcampbell]

I think that this is the first very negative review that I've seen . Savage Goose liked it and that is one picky guy .

[wpw]

Our '22 CX30 turbo ended is a compromise: Wife wanted a more upright CUV with a hatch; I wanted to wait on a rwd Lexus IS500. The Mazda is a bit more "sedate" than I liked, but there's some enjoyable (if not "exciting") wheel slip if you engage the "off road assist" button (similar to the DSC OFF button on the Mazda 3 turbo).

I may pull both ABS/DSC fuses and test, but I wouldn't recommend driving on the street with the ABS disconnected.

[jbs]

Always appreciate you honesty. Great review, as always.

[jaib]

I appreciate this very honest and detailed review.. Great job

[derrickcarpenter]

Thanks for reviewing another Mazda. I have a 2018 Mazda 3 Sedan with the standard 2.5 and the manual. LOVE IT!! 👍👍

[timw]

That may have been an abused press fleet vehicle. Mazdas are normally top notch

[Tinrs]

So Question...on these cars for journalist to review...if something goes wrong like flat tire do they come and fix it or make you pay for the repairs? always wondered how that works.

[billharris]

Surprised about the mpg. I've got an 18 Mazda 6 with the 2.5T. Vehicles are about the same weight and I get 27-28 on average. On the highway, I've gotten 36 often.

[differencemaker]

Do you have long legs and a short torso? Seat fit is very individual. A 6' guy may sit in that same seat and have good leg room but have no head room. People are built differently, even people who are the same height.