2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021

What's the difference?

Mazda, it seems, is embarking on a spot of social climbing.

After years of affordable, well-engineered and highly popular alternatives to Toyota, Japan's smallest big carmaker has set its sights higher, starting with last year's redesigned Mazda3. Costing about 10 per cent more than the Toyota Corolla equivalent, it's moved up to Volkswagen Golf territory, prioritising design, advanced technologies, luxury finishes and a high specification over being number one.

Invariably, the Mazda3-based CX-30 is a manifestation of this mindset. The ‘0' denotes a raised SUV, aimed at singles, couples and small families seeking a practical compact wagon with one eye on adventure.

Perfect, then, for our Urban Review. Here we look at the range-topping G25 Astina AWD.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Mazda3 small car was the best-selling passenger vehicle in Australia, so it goes without saying an SUV version would sell like hotcakes.

Well, we got the CX-3 light SUV instead, with it based on the Mazda2 hatchback, and needless to say, it wasn’t quite the right fit (read: too tight) for some buyers.

However, patience is a virtue and the Mazda3 of small SUVs is finally here … actually, it’s been on sale for more than 12 months now.

And guess what? The curiously named CX-30 hit the ground running! So, it’s time to take a look at what is possibly its most appealing variant for the urban jungle, the G20 Touring FWD.