Year Review: Living with a Mazda CX-30
Today marks one year since I took delivery of my 2023 Mazda CX-30 in Soul Crystal Red Mica. About 12,000 miles, lots of back and forth to work, some small road trips, lots of errands, dealing with a collision accident and just recently done before this post, a new windshield.
So, was it a complete upgrade from my old 2015 Honda Accord Sport? Yes, but also no in some factors. The Mazda has standard tech you see in most cars 2020 and older, like blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and honestly? They're neat. I could live without them, but they're more of your standard features on newer cars. Other small techy things, LED headlights (which, in my opinion, need projectors to not blind others which thankfully the Mazda has) but LED everything, turn signals, taillights/stop lights, all interior lighting. Even the license plate lights. The gauge cluster is a combo of a small colored LED screen with traditional gauges for the RPMs, temperature and fuel. The infotainment is more minimal than most of this car's competitors as I covered in my last update about the car which you can read here if you didn't yet.
Living with the car has been fairly easy. Maintenance has not been much higher than the Accord as both cars needed 0W-20 synthetic oil, so oil changes have not really changed for what I pay for normally, unless I buy the stuff myself. The biggest issue I have with the car isn't say, something not working correctly but fuel capacity. Being AWD, the CX-30 uses a smaller tank than the front wheel drive variants. 12.7 gallons compared to 14.2 of the front wheel drive models, the 4th gen Mazda3, which the CX-30 is based on, has the same sized fuel tanks as well so no difference for the taller CX-30. Fuel will roughly last between 6 to 8 days for me with normal driving, compared to the two weeks on the dot mileage for my old Accord. Granted it did have a 16 gallon fuel tank. But for actual MPG comparison, the CX-30 does better on average than the Accord, getting 30mpg compared to the Accord's 28mpg. While smaller, the Mazda does weigh the same as my old Accord, make a bit more power too. However, the fuel mileage takes a noticeable hit during the winter months. The SkyactiveG engine, the 2.5L four pot under the hood makes an impressive 191HP, but it's compression ratio is a surprising 14:1 (!!) but during the cold months, it averaged 26-27mpg in my normal mixed driving, where the Honda saw no change. My guess is the higher compression ratio causing higher fuel consumption because of the super cold dense air during the winter.
The practicality of the Mazda has been nicer than the Accord, for cargo and even carrying around my friends. Having something with a hatchback, now I certainly get why people prefer this over a coupe or sedan. Heck, I see why larger SUVs are appealing, not that I am ever getting one soon. It's almost insulting to the CX-30 itself to even give it such a label. But having the ability to just fold down the rear seats and have double the space needed to carry things has proven handy over a sedan quite a few times. The higher ground clearance hasn't really proven much for me, though my parking spot by my house floods during heavy rains so it is a nice security knowing the water won't reach the door. With the Accord, it almost had water up to it's door twice because of it's ride height, sadly.
The Mazda sits at 18,000 miles roughly now, it's been serviced twice since I owned it as 5,000 miles on synthetic is the most I'll push it. Never had a car this new before, so 5K oil changes it is. The Accord I will admit had more than a few 9K oil changes than I'd like to admit, but hey depression is fun, weeee! The Mazda's developed some very slight rattles, the one I hear the most being the upper portion of the tailgate trim on the inside. Seems it's more flexible as to be able to get behind it to access the 3rd light. The others I hear occasionally is the latch on the glovebox, though a quick open and shut makes it go away. One issue I need to address to Mazda sadly is the leather surface on the steering wheel started to peel away on the left side of it. No idea if it's warranty will even cover it, if not then steering wheel cover it is! The "leatherette" seats are holding up fine, they do feel and look nicer when kept cleaned and conditioned however, the driver's side looks pretty good after two years of use. The door cards, center console, armrest, scroll wheel, all are holding up fine so far. The piano black accent panel next to the shifter is showing scratches, but that seems unavoidable so, that's great.
Driving manners, car still feels good to drive and still feels spry to toss around curvy back roads. The six speed auto can be sluggish under very normal driving conditions, but asking more from the 2.5L and it seems to remember how to find a gear. This is not a sports car, didn't expect it to be. But if you're like me and still enjoy spirited driving, the car doesn't make a fuss. Steering is still light but you get enough feedback to never question what the front wheels are doing. Body roll is there but not super noticeable. If this was the 2.5T I would imagine spirited driving would feel a lot more exciting, the difference of 191HP to 250HP in a car this size certainly makes a difference.
What Else Will I Do With The Mazda?
Well, the mod itch is certainly coming back with this car. The aftermarket for it is surprisingly there, more than I expected. Being a platform sister car to the 4th gen Mazda3 more than likely is the big reason for that. But I can find suspension bits, intake, exhausts, even a big brake kit for it! And not from shady, unknown brands either. BC Racing, Corksport just to name a few. Though would I lower it? Probably not. Would I put a cat back exhaust on it? I am considering it. But mostly I'd like different wheels, some RokBlokz rally mudflaps and change the front chrome grille to black, maybe even tint match the front windows to the rest of the factory privacy tint. At the very least, expect the window tint and rokblokz mudflaps. I miss having a car that doesn't look stock.
But, until then, see ya next time!