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I posted this over on the 3 forum, but thought it might be of interest over here as well.
Anybody else struggling with a Mazda 3 vs CX 30 decision? Of all the cars I have driven lately, turns out you find my two favorites on the same lot.
Mazda 3 Hatch
Better looking, with no unsightly wheel arch gaps and plastic cladding.
Lighter and lower (150lbs, 4 inches) which makes it marginally faster with slightly better handling. Lower profile tires probably contribute as well.
2 Mpg better which ties in with the above
About $1650 cheaper out the door around here at the same top trim level .
Slightly nicer interior trim,(rear door panels,dash) especially in the Red Premium I expect to buy.
CX-30
Taller, with better sight lines and ease in entry/exit especially at the back. More important for us old guys and our old gals. Rear quarters not so blind, bigger back glass .
Better back seat. No more room but much more pleasant space, with a lighter headliner, bigger windows, and controllable rear ac vents. Slightly more headroom too. Generally less claustrophobia inducing.
Similar cargo space, but taller items can be stowed, with easier loading through the bigger hatch.
Higher profile tires for better rim protection, cheaper replacement and theoretically.less road noise and harshness (to be honest I did not tell a clear difference in my short test drives)
Slightly shorter length, for me always a plus.
The handling and acceleration is pretty close between these two. Less tuned in folks might not be able to tell the difference even driving them back to back UNLESS they were forced to hurry.
In short, two great cars by Mazda, no winner, no loser. One slightly flashier with better performance but still practical. The other more practical, but still more fun and better looking than competitor's small hatchbacks.
If it were to be my only car, I would go with the CX-30. (Cliche alert) a veritable swiss army knife of a compact vehicle.
But it's not and I already have a CX-5 (would rather have the CX 30). I will likely buy a Three pretty soon.
Anybody else struggling with a Mazda 3 vs CX 30 decision? Of all the cars I have driven lately, turns out you find my two favorites on the same lot.
Mazda 3 Hatch
Better looking, with no unsightly wheel arch gaps and plastic cladding.
Lighter and lower (150lbs, 4 inches) which makes it marginally faster with slightly better handling. Lower profile tires probably contribute as well.
2 Mpg better which ties in with the above
About $1650 cheaper out the door around here at the same top trim level .
Slightly nicer interior trim,(rear door panels,dash) especially in the Red Premium I expect to buy.
CX-30
Taller, with better sight lines and ease in entry/exit especially at the back. More important for us old guys and our old gals. Rear quarters not so blind, bigger back glass .
Better back seat. No more room but much more pleasant space, with a lighter headliner, bigger windows, and controllable rear ac vents. Slightly more headroom too. Generally less claustrophobia inducing.
Similar cargo space, but taller items can be stowed, with easier loading through the bigger hatch.
Higher profile tires for better rim protection, cheaper replacement and theoretically.less road noise and harshness (to be honest I did not tell a clear difference in my short test drives)
Slightly shorter length, for me always a plus.
The handling and acceleration is pretty close between these two. Less tuned in folks might not be able to tell the difference even driving them back to back UNLESS they were forced to hurry.
In short, two great cars by Mazda, no winner, no loser. One slightly flashier with better performance but still practical. The other more practical, but still more fun and better looking than competitor's small hatchbacks.
If it were to be my only car, I would go with the CX-30. (Cliche alert) a veritable swiss army knife of a compact vehicle.
But it's not and I already have a CX-5 (would rather have the CX 30). I will likely buy a Three pretty soon.
