I currently have a 2017 Mazda 3 2.0 petrol manual (UK Sport Nav spec.) and am looking to change. I would be interested in another Mazda 3 but the new model has a lower ground clearance and won't satisfy my requirements. I do long distance trips on which Mazda 3 achieves 52 mpg (UK) and about 42 mpg in local driving. My main dislike of the car is excessive road / tyre noise on rougher tarmac.
A Mazda CX-30 (SE-Lux trim in the UK) looks good on paper and may be more refined for long distance trips than my current car. I've seen various car reviews which generally recommend to pay more for the SkyActiv X engine but I'm not convinced. The SkyActiv X engine is reported to be harsh when cold and at low speeds, not as rapid as the power suggests and there is a diesel-like clatter at idle and low revs. The SkyActiv X version is also lower geared resulting in higher engine rpm compared to the SkyActiv G. Based on UK prices, I will need to drive 140,000 miles to recoup the extra purchase cost of the SkyActiv X in fuel savings which is never going to be realised for me.
Are CX-30 owners content with the performance, refinement (noise) and fuel consumption of the their SkyActiv G cars (manual) on long distance motorway trips? My current Mazda 3 can handle the length of the M1 in 6th gear at 70 mph without needing the change down at c. 2400 rpm.
A Mazda CX-30 (SE-Lux trim in the UK) looks good on paper and may be more refined for long distance trips than my current car. I've seen various car reviews which generally recommend to pay more for the SkyActiv X engine but I'm not convinced. The SkyActiv X engine is reported to be harsh when cold and at low speeds, not as rapid as the power suggests and there is a diesel-like clatter at idle and low revs. The SkyActiv X version is also lower geared resulting in higher engine rpm compared to the SkyActiv G. Based on UK prices, I will need to drive 140,000 miles to recoup the extra purchase cost of the SkyActiv X in fuel savings which is never going to be realised for me.
Are CX-30 owners content with the performance, refinement (noise) and fuel consumption of the their SkyActiv G cars (manual) on long distance motorway trips? My current Mazda 3 can handle the length of the M1 in 6th gear at 70 mph without needing the change down at c. 2400 rpm.