• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, Yesterday

The Mazda CX-30 packs quite a punch for a starting MSRP under $30,000.

To be fair, the Aire edition, which combines a sleek, blacked-out exterior with an exclusive, light-colored interior, retails for $32,535, including a $1,495 delivery charge. But the only optional equipment was a cargo cover ($165), illuminated door sill plates ($575) and a navigation system ($450). 

The brand puts a big focus on being a vehicle for people who love to drive. 

“Mazda is known for its superior driving dynamics and is relentlessly focused on human-centricity,” according to the automaker. “This comes from our study of how humans move, which helps us engineer our vehicles to feel like a natural extension of the driver’s body. 

“We feel that a car and driver should have a relationship similar to that of a horse and its rider. This is called Jinba-ittai, a philosophy that lies at the heart of Mazda’s vehicle development. Our Kodo design language uses a minimalist approach to create sophisticated styling that makes our vehicles feel more refined, elegant and upscale. Our vehicles will look and feel truly alive.”

Indeed, "Move and Be Moved" is Mazda's global brand platform.

The positioning statement emphasizes “the deep emotional and physical connection between driver, vehicle, and community. It highlights how cars can uplift people by elevating human potential and pairing responsive vehicle handling with meaningful driving experiences.”

Back to the CX-30 test drive. 

Built on Mazda's mid-tier convenience packages, the Aire Edition includes quality-of-life additions like a wireless phone charger (which works flawlessly) and microsuede cabin accents. 

It feels sporty — perhaps even more so than the numbers would indicate. The 2.5L DOHC engine yields 186 horsepower and 188 lb-ft. of torque. Gas mileage is a respectable 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway for a combined 27 mpg. 

Drivers interact with the screen via a rotary dial (officially called the Commander Control) in the center console. While it takes a minute to get used to not touching the infotainment screen, the upside is, no fingerprints.

I was surprised not to find an option for a remote rear lift gate on the key fob. And once you have manually lifted the rear door, there’s also no button to close it. That upgrate is available on select higher trims (like the Preferred, Premium, and Turbo models).

The rearview camera on the model I tested did not include the 360° view monitor. It generally comes standard on the Premium Plus package, and is an available upgrade on select other trims. 

On the plus side, the Mazda CX-30 offers 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Folding down the 60/40 split rear seats expands the total cargo capacity to 45.2 cubic feet. It features a wide rear hatch opening and a low load floor for easy loading.