Our first impression of the all-new Mazda CX-30 2020 Philippines

We totally get what Mazda is going for. It’s larger than the CX-3 as such is has more in the way of usability and it’s even more stylish. Well, maybe except for the large black plastic cladding which we think should’ve been painted or ditched entirely.

Overall though, the 2020 Mazda CX-30 is a comfortable vehicle with lots of features and space for a young active single or family person on the go. So yeah, it’s a great addition to the Mazda lineup in the Philippines.

We like the all-new CX-30. We like it very much

>>> Related post: All-new Mazda CX-30 2019 to replace the Mazda CX-3?

The Mazda CX-3 despite being a really excellent vehicle, is aging. It has been around since 2015 and ever since that time Filipinos AND Mazda itself knew they had a best seller as such many, as you can observe on our roads, have bought the little crossover.

Being based on the Mazda 2, the Mazda CX-3 has its issues though. Its default cargo space is a bit small. Well come to think of it, even the rear seats are a bit tight in terms of elbow room and a couple of other issues that many people have said that can be improved on.

That’s where the all-new CX-30 comes in.

So, is it any better than the good old CX-3? Let’s find out in the in-depth Mazda CX-30 2020 Philippines Review with Philkotse.com

At the Mazda Premium Pavillion Event where we met the CX-30 for the first time, it was being displayed next to its significantly larger brother, the CX-5.

From the 2020 Mazda CX-30 exterior, it was very apparent to us that the one major facet that the CX-30 had left the CX-3 is in terms of size. Think of the Mazda 2 as the small but plucky youngest brother and the CX-3 as a tween form of the now matured but still compact CX-30.

The all-new CX-30 with the new CX-8 on the left and the CX-5 on the right

Also significant is how the Kodo Design Language has evolved on the CX-30 because like the aforementioned size, Mazda decided to provide the new crossover, a much rakish look especially at the rear. Now, it looks more like the Mazda 3 than the Mazda 2 with its angrier looking rear tail-lights which to us very much looks like mini wings now by that way they jut out.

The rear of the Mazda CX-30 is a vast improvement from the CX-3's

The roofline is now much more gradual which of course provides the CX-30 a sportier, lower to the ground look despite having a slightly taller height.

What carried over to the all-new Mazda CX-30 2020 are the black pieces of cladding but when viewing the car on the down-low, we also noted that the ground clearance of the new crossover is several inches more in comparison to the older and smaller CX-3. And yeah, that will definitely mean more versatility for the CX-30 because let’s face it, Philippines roads aren’t the smoothest after all.

Also, the CX-30 rides on 18 inches which of course provides the model a very sporty look.

Judging from what Mazda is going for, the ride is cushy. Although, the car itself looks sporty as heck

Yes, on the outside, the Mazda CX-30 is a significant improvement over the CX-3. The same goes for the interior. It’s much roomier especially at the back. What we really like however is how Mazda had improved the sound dampening to the point that it was like stepping into another dimension.

Granted that we are yet to give the thing a test drive, but yeah, we can only imagine the vast improvements that can be felt in the reduction of vibrations, noise, and all those kinds of stuff you DO NOT want from a cushy compact crossover like the CX-30.

Another thing that impressed us is the large 8-inch screen. And yes, it’s no longer a touch screen and is instead controlled by a handy and very versatile knob mounted on the center console which is seamlessly ergonomic in such a way that a driver won’t get distracted whenever he/she decides to fiddle with the music, hands-free calling, whatever. Also, the 12-speaker Bose sound system sounds REALLY GOOD.

We really like the more premium feeling and looking interior of the all-new Mazda CX-30

Also included with the all-new CX-30 are electronically adjustable seats, a sunroof, leather upholstery, rear and front parking sensors, and of course; a significantly larger boot which of course addresses the largest complaint against the Mazda CX-3.

Now, the thing we like with the CX-30 is the extremely refined interior space. It’s really spacious and the attention to detail from the stitching on the seats and the door panels, to the feel of the knobs. All have this reassuring metallic feel to them that’s really satisfying to use.

Mazda even positioned the excellent Bose speakers in such a way that the bass of the sound system won’t rattle the door panels and other parts of the car. So yes, the door assembly is now better sealed which of course explains the improvement in NVH. Dope!

>>> More helpful information for Mazda car buyers:

• Contact of all Mazda dealerships nationwide
• List of new and used Mazda CX-30 for sale in the Philippines

Despite the very quiet interior, there’s just enough engine sound and steering feedback to “feel the road.” To further emphasize that, Mazda thankfully doesn’t use those godawful CVTs that most of us car guys outright abhor. Instead, they utilize the butter smooth SKYACTIV drive which regardless of being on automatic mode or manual mode, can shift through the gears like a hot knife through butter.

The SKYACTIV 2.0 liter gasoline engine has seen improvements too. It now makes more horsepower at 152, and more torque at 200 Nm. The top of the line spec now also comes with all-wheel-drive which of course means more grip.

And yes, the brilliant G-vectoring is available on the CX-30.

SKYACTIV 2.0 liter gasoline engine is improved for Mazda CX-30

>>> Refer to our Car for sale section for more affordable car deals in the Philippines.

When comparing the Mazda CX-3 and the CX-30’s top of the line variants in terms of safety equipment, the newer compact crossover, of course, has much more to offer.

The CX-30 comes with dual front airbags, curtain airbags, side airbags, and a knee airbag for the driver. There’s even a blind-spot detection system, a lane departure warning system, and cruise control.

Mazda CX-30 outperforms many rivals in safety crash test

In short, the Mazda CX-30 is marketed to people who think that the CX-5 is too large whilst also of the opinion that the CX-3 AND the Mazda 3 hatch/sedan is too small.

Now, as we’ve said before, the Mazda CX-30 2020 Philippines is a very driver-oriented vehicle without compromising comfort, even more so than the Mazda CX-3. While its top variant is indeed much more expensive, it has more features and as we’ve said already, it’s much more driver oriented than the smaller CX-3.

>>> Refer to our Mazda Philippines price list to keep up to date with the latest changes all Mazda cars price

It's worth your budget for this new Mazda