Mazda has successfully plugged the gap between the CX-3 and CX-5 SUVs with a Mazda3-based crossover.

When Mazda announced it was creating a crossover to sit between the compact CX-3 and the medium CX-5 SUVs you could be forgiven for questioning the decision.

And when Mazda then announced it would be could the CX-30 you would equally be forgiven for going “huh?”.

But Mazda knew that some potential customers thought the CX-3 was too small for their needs, and the CX-5 too big. But the CX-30 would be just right (like Goldilock and the porridge?).

As the name? It can’t be called a CX-4 as that SUV is sold in China.

Based on the Mazda3 hatchback, the CX-30 is 4395mm long,120mm longer than the CX-3 and 155mm shorter than the medium-sized CX-5 SUV.

The CX-30 sits in the small SUV segment alongside the Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross while Mazda NZ also sees it competing with BMW’s X2, Audi’s Q2 and the Lexus UX200.

The CX-30 currently comes in three models: the two-wheel-drive GSX is priced from $41,490 and has a 2-litre engine. The GTX ($44,99) and the $50,990 Limited both have all-wheel-drive and have a 2.5-litre engine.

Mazda NZ’s managing director, David Hodge, says the company identified a gap in the market for an SUV that would fit between the CX-3, the company’s smallest SUV, and the top selling CX-5.

“It is the perfect fit for those needing space but looking for an easy-to-manoeuvre vehicle. It offers the best of both worlds, giving roominess and ample cargo space for around town and out of town adventures, delivered in dimensions that make light work of tight city streets and car parks,” says Hodge.

“The shifting reflections on the exterior panels creates a different look and feel each time you look at the CX-30 and creates a sense of vitality and motion. It really is a stunning looking vehicle.” 

Mazda used a number of design features to make the CX-30 to look like an SUV rather than a jacked up Mazda3 hatchback. The roof is raised at the rear with the D-pillar downwards and the tailgate outwards.

That also creates more headroom inside the CX-30 and ample luggage space.  Mazda says there’s as much space between the front seats as there is in the bigger CX-5.

Mazda has also added Japanese tradition of ‘sori’ (sword making) and ‘utsuroi’ (the car is a living creature) with the exterior look of the CX-30. The turn signals front, rear and on the side mirrors resemble a heartbeat when activated.

Inside, the driver’s side has a cockpit feel with all the controls facing the steering wheel area, and it gets an 8.8-inch wide-screen centre display, which offers simple, straightforward operation via the intuitive Commander control.

The CX-30 also boasts a 5 star Ancap safety rating, with a 99 per cent result – the best of any vehicle.

It gains that rating thanks to the plethora of safety features across the three models: Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-keep Assist System, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, reversing camera, Traffic Sign Recognition and Smart Brake Support. 

AutoMuse had the GTX this week, and with Alert Level 2, I was able to take it out of Auckland city to Parihoa on the west coast, so I could really test the vehicle.

The inside of the CX-30 is very similar to the Mazda3. The dashboard is as simple as they come, with easy-to-use climate controls separated from the infotainment screen, which can only be operated with a clickwheel on the centre-tunnel.

If you're a fan of the Mazda3 hatchback you'll find the CX-30 just as nimble, athletic, and fun to drive. Its crisp steering and fluid body movements make it a pleasure to pilot on the twisty back roads around Muriwai and provide a sense of stability when cruising along the motorway.

Mazda also created seats with the driver in mind and even after two hours behind the wheel I was keen to keep on the road.

It doesn’t feel heavy for a crossover, and it steers, brakes and corners in the same smooth, fluid fashion as the Mazda3 hatch.

I was impressed with the great torque from take off such as at traffic lights, with a delightfully smooth move through the gears for the CX-30 with no hesitation at the lower end of the range.

Around the city, it fitted the bill as it was easy to park and a stand-out when it came to looks.

Once on the motorway, I’d engage sport mode to give tighter steering and more power when I needed it for overtaking.

The crossover market in New Zealand is crowded and in 2020 you can expect at least 10 more models in the segment the CX-30 sits in. But this Mazda takes points for its interior and exterior styling, plus the array of safety features.