[conwelpic]

not exactly a glowing review by CR on this model giving it an overall score of 61.

For comparison on overall score some other ratings:
Subaru Crosstrek - 85
Hyundai Kona - 78
Nissan Rogue Sport (Qashqai) - 78
Mazda CX-3 - 73
Honda HR-V - 66

Owners: what is your find of the "lows"

 

[dctokyo]

Something is very off on the report. Coming from a HR-V to the CX-30 there is no way the HR-V ranks higher. My CX-30 beats the HR-V in every department hands down. Engine noise? There is no noise,

 

[TunaFresh]

What did the review say about it being "finicky"?

 

[conwelpic]

What did the review say about it being "finicky"?

here's the article:

 

[conwelpic]

Something is very off on the report. Coming from a HR-V to the CX-30 there is no way the HR-V ranks higher. My CX-30 beats the HR-V in every department hands down. Engine noise? There is no noise,

I would agree, I rank my Kia Soul way better than the HR-V, also I've gone over the Qashqai in detail, I would not rank it above the CX-30 particular in the area of the power-train.

 

[TunaFresh]

Thanks for sharing that conwelpic. I've had several Mazdas in the past. The Skyactiv powertrain is very solid.

The transmission could "ideally" use a gear or two more. But overall, I love it. You do have to get on it at times and at low speeds it isn't the best. All things considered though this is a fantastic car for the money. And it has what I consider to be one of the best AWD systems on the market.

 

[carbonized]

I was very close to buying a Subaru Crosstrek before getting my CX30, and I test drove it a lot. What really changed my mind was when I was able to drive both cars at the same dealer back-to-back and realized how much quieter the CX-30 was, and it's Ride was much smoother.

So I'm surprised to see CR rate the Crosstrek better than the CX30 for both noise and ride.

I do agree with them that the Crosstrek is probably better at usability though.

 

[TunaFresh]

I was very close to buying a Subaru Crosstrek before getting my CX30, and I test drove it a lot. What really changed my mind was when I was able to drive both cars at the same dealer back-to-back and realized how much quieter the CX-30 was, and it's Ride was much smoother.

So I'm surprised to see CR rate the Crosstrek better than the CX30 for both noise and ride.

I do agree with them that the Crosstrek is probably better at usability though.

My gf has an Impreza Sport which is essentially the same car as the Crosstrek, just lower. I completely agree with you assessment.

 

[Tony Wohl]

I am thinking of buying a CX30 and my wife and I recently had a test drive at Mazda North in Danvers ,MA, I took along with me a list of the Consumer Reports criticisms :-

1. Suspension jumpy over bumps
2. Infotainment system
3. Interior cramped & claustrophobic
4. Slight bump in each gear on moderate acceleration
5. Lane keeping is poor
6. Adaptive cruise control unreliable
7. Poor acceleration from zero
8. Cheap head liner, sun visors, door pockets
9. Short side mirrors & angle of windshield pillars = claustrophobia
10. Center console impinges on right knee ( driver’s)
11. Thick rear pillars make for po or visibility when reversing
12. Low door with narco no row opening makes getting in & out difficult.
13. Parking brake is automatic on but needs turning off before driving away.
14. Noisy engine wheezy & raspy at low revs

A long and formidable list, indeed. I should mention that my recent cars have been Subaru Wagons, and I now own a 10 year old Prius and a year old Mazda CX5. We test drove the CX30 over a variety of roads. My wife is 5'2" and I am 5'9". Of the criticisms I agree with the following (We didn't test #5 and 6):-
#2, but driving the CX5 the learning curve has improved.
Maybe I can see some agreeing with #3. Yes, the CX5 is much more airy, but the interior is NOT cramped and the alignment of the front and side windows give the XC30 a sports car feel. Securer and closed in, not claustrophobic.
#1 you feel the bumps and frost heaves (a lot of them around here!) but I wouldn't call it "jumpy".

#4, #7, #10, #11, #12, #14 stuck my wife and me as totally inaccurate. What is Consumer Report comparing the CX30 to, we wonder! It accelerated smoothly: it's not at all sluggish as its 0-60 time testifies. Gear shifts are smooth. The engine note is pleasant. There was a good 2" of space between our right knees and the center console. I am 83 years old and my wife isn't much younger - - and we both have arthritis: yet getting in and out of the car was no problem whatsoever.
#8 Maybe, compared to the better materials on the CX5 ,but with all the extras I want in the Premium AWD my top of the line CX5 is roughly $7,000 more. All materials are fine for the price.

I am a car enthusiast (have owned English sports cars, a Volvo P1800, and an old Bentley) and I think the glowing reviews of the specialist motoring press on line are much closer to the mark.

 

[TunaFresh]

I personally only use CR for reliability data. I find their reviews to be not so good. I prefer Car and Driver etc. I always drive one first though.

 

[Maznut]

When listing the 30's strengths, they ignor how much more powerful it is than the competition. The criticisms of the shifting and engine noise is just bizarre.

 

[steve67]

Don't listen to others, test drive and see if it suits you and your driving style... Each owner has there own opinion....ours is we love the car and it ticks all the boxes for us.,😇👍

 

[Maznut]

Don't listen to others, test drive and see if it suits you and your driving style... Each owner has there own opinion....ours is we love the car and it ticks all the boxes for us.,😇👍

Right.
I tested the CX 30, the Mazda 3 hatch, Minicooper s and Kona Limited before buying the 3 hatch. The others that C.R. compares to the 30 to are too low powered to interest me.
The Kona is 2 classes lower in my opinion. with more noise and a hard black plastic interior. It does have better power and space utilization than the Mazdas though. The Mini was the most fun to drive, but really small inside with poor reliability and high depreciation.

With both the Mazdas now coming with turbo power I may switch over to the 30 just for varieties sake, but it must come with the gorgeous red/ black interior colors my 3 has.

 

[Tony Wohl]

Since writing about this CR topic a few weeks ago, I have bought the CX30. I have had it for less than a week, but I can say that, even more than before, I think most of CR's long list of criticisms are unjustified. To take just two examples: yes, you can hit the brake button (after first putting on your seat belt) just by the gear shift to turn off the automatic parking brake. Or if, as CR suggests, this additional action is an ENORMOUS burden (ridiculous!) you can simply drive off and the brake automaticlally switches off. Second, I have s CX5 turbo and even compared to that I simply don't see the CX 30 as sluggish in any way! It's a lovely handling car and sporty - - and for more of a sports feel you can simply put it is "sport" mode and use the paddles. As for finish, well, the CX30 is remarkable - - and in round figures, with extras, it cost something like $8,000 less than my CX5 Premium.