It’s amazing how a body lift and some plastic can shift our perceptions. Not too long ago, we wrote a few hundred words on how the Mazda3 Turbo left us feeling underwhelmed. Confused, even. It is, by all quantifiable metrics, an excellent automobile. It’s a turbocharged hatchback that’s refined and pleasant to drive. But it’s not the raucous, Mazdaspeed-inspired experience we—and other auto journos—were hoping we’d get from Mazda’s turbo hatch.

The Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo AWD is, essentially, the same vehicle as the Mazda3 Turbo. Engine, drivetrain, chassis… even general dimensions inside and out are practically identical between the two. But we find ourselves “getting” the CX-30 more than we did the Mazda3.

We guess you can thank that aforementioned body lift and plastic for that. Love it or hate it, the Mazda CX-30 Turbo is unabashedly a crossover. And as such, we’re not projecting our own hopes and dreams upon it like we did the Mazda3 Turbo. We’re fine with the CX-30 giving us “just” a comfy ride, sleek design, and solid cargo space. That it also happens to deliver an entertaining drive is just a nice bonus.

It's a handsome CUV, this Mazda. It’s got the graceful lines and thoughtful details seen across the Mazda lineup. It’s not a statement piece like the Mazda3 hatch, but the CX-30’s design seems to be one that will look good for years to come.

Also sure to look good for years to come is the interior of the CX-30. It’s a minimalist design, free of superfluous flourishes, where quality materials are screwed together well. In typical Mazda fashion, the ergonomics are superb. Seats have the right amount of give and support. Key controls all fall easily to hand. The thin steering wheel is sublime. And the gauge cluster, even with the center TFT screen, feels classically analog. Audio and HVAC controls, thankfully, are all physical. And the control knob just aft of the gear-select lever is tactile and intuitive, and to us is a superior way to control all the things happening on the widescreen infotainment display.

Passenger space is generous up front, and okay in the rear. Fine for kids, and for adults as long as the trip is short. The CX-30’s more traditional design—again, compared to the Mazda3 hatch—allows for more cargo room in the rear as well. And speaking of that more traditional design, the CX-30’s larger windows all around also provide superior rearward visibility when compared to the hatch.

Mechanically, the CX-30 tells the same story as the Mazda3—or any Mazda for that matter. Power comes from a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline four, rated at 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, provided you’ve got access to premium 93 octane. Using a lesser octane will knock those numbers down a bit, but not by enough to really notice. Transmission is a six-speed automatic with a manual shift feature, and still retains the “proper” layout, where you pull the shift lever to shift up, and push to shift down. Power gets to the ground via an intelligent all-wheel drive system that shifts power around to the wheels that need it most.

As for how it all comes together in the actual drive, it’s pretty much identical to the Mazda3 Turbo hatch. The CX-30 Turbo is wonderful for the everyday drive, with the 6AT shifting when needed, and responding quickly when you take over. This CUV also handles beautifully, with good steering feel, and the AWD system kicking power to whatever tires need it most, helping ensure that this crossover stays on your preferred driving line. It’s plenty comfy on the wide-open highway too, making this a willing partner for just about any road trip.

The CX-30 Turbo excels at the kinds of things you want a compact CUV to do – manage the needs of day to day driving, all in a stylish package with some extra cargo space. Throw in the fact it’s a Mazda, meaning a sense of joy was engineered into the driving experience, and you’ll find that the CX-30 Turbo is actually one of the best examples in the space. As much as we want to fight it, the crossover future is coming for us all. And if we gotta spend the rest of our days in a crossover, the turbocharged CX-30 is a great place to spend ‘em in.

Shifting perceptions in the Mazda CX-30 Turbo

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