2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022

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.

Small SUVs are all the rage, and Mazda has no shortage of options for prospective buyers.

While other brands delineate quite clearly between their SUV models though, it seems like Mazda has a fair amount of overlap.

The CX-30 we’re looking at here is a size up from the CX-3 but sits alongside the similarly-sized new MX-30 and below the CX-5 mid-sizer.

Confused? Me too. Through a combination of great looks, appealing specs, and engaging driving dynamics, though, Mazda has found at least some success with every single one of its SUVs.

The question we’re setting out to answer with this review, though, is whether you should consider the Pure, the CX-30’s most basic variant. Does it offer enough to justify this car’s upmarket vibe? Read on to find out.