[icebun]

I am currently drawing up a shortlist of cars before committing to a Mazda:

Skoda Karoq SEL
Renualt Captur (2020)
Toyota CH-R 2.0 Hybrid Dynamic
Peugeot 2008 GT Line

Right now, apart from the Skoda (awaiting test drive), I have pretty much ruled the others out due to lack of matching features and value for money.

I am curious what you guys looked and how you decided on a CX-30.

 

[steve67]

we looked at all brands . But only test drove the cx30.

 

[bruceboss]

Audi Q2 and Mercedes B class

 

[carbonized]

Subaru Crosstrek (XV)
Hyundai Kona
Honda HRV
Toyota CHR

I also looked at crossovers in the next size up (Rav4, CRV, Rogue, CX5) but decided I wanted something smaller and easier to park.

The one that I was very close to purchasing was the Subaru Crosstrek. It's a great car with better storage space than the CX-30, but the ride & handling isn't quite as nice as the 30 and the front dash is a bit overwhelming. I love the minimalist clean lines of the Mazda much better. But overall I'm sure I would have been happy with the Crosstrek if I didn't wait for the cx30 to come out.

 

[BobW]

BMW X1
VOLVO XC40
AUDI Q2
Volkswagen T-ROC

Closest competitor for me was the Volvo, followed by the BMW.

 

[Macachia]

Was looking at xc40 and kadjar. Nothing came close to the cx30 except for the xc40. Cx30 had some extras for ‘free’ like the heated steering wheel and all the safety packs which the Volvo needed to be added with

 

[steve67]

Was looking at xc40 and kadjar. Nothing came close to the cx30 except for the xc40. Cx30 had some extras for ‘free’ like the heated steering wheel and all the safety packs which the Volvo needed to be added with

Agree regards the xc40.. also all the controls are operated through the touch screen screen...ok while stationery but not so easy while driving...

 

[Macachia]

totally agree, that's the problem we also had with the 3008 GT. Kind of explains why Porsches tend to have more buttons and an airplane haha

 

[conwelpic]

I have compiled a spreadsheet to compare all the features of various vehicles and specific models and in turn comparing to my current vehicle.
My must have requirements are: hatchback, heated seats and steering wheel, ease of getting in and out, not a large vehicle (not too much larger than my current vehicle), cloth seats (don't like my current leather seats), decent size storage area (close to my current vehicle), larger display screen size (my current vehicle is only 4.5"), ease of playing my own music.
Also I have used the same model as I currently have in the 2020 line-up that would interest me and using that MSRP as a guide as to stick close to what I am willing to pay. (price of vehicles now are what I paid for my first house!)

Checking out each manufacturers available models that might be of interest and come up with this list:

• 2020 Kia Soul EX Premium and EX+
• 2020 Nissan Qashqai SV FWD
• 2020 Nissan Kicks SR
• 2020 Kona Preferred FWD
• 2020 Honda HR-V LX FWD
• 2020 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium
• 2020 Mitsubishi RVR SE FWD
• 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer (not yet released)
• 2020 Mazda CX-30 GS FWD

After obtaining all the specs from the various websites and comparing them on my spreadsheet I have been able to start removing some of the models that I first considered. (have a 164 hp, 6-spd in my current vehicle)
Honda HR-V LX FWD - poor exterior colour choices (3), don't like the exterior design, high rear door handles, weak engine and CVT, front wipers not variable speed, no heated steering wheel. It does have a good cargo size and versatile "Magic" rear seats.
Toyota C-HR XLE Premium - exterior design, claustrophobic feeling back seat area, black headliner, poor rear storage, weak engine and CVT
Nissan Kicks SR - weak engine, no armrest for the passenger, no heated steering wheel
Mitsubishi RVR SE FWD - no heated steering wheel, interior looks a vehicle from the late '90's, weak engine and CVT,
Kia Soul EX Premium and EX+ - after checking the new ones out I've gone off this design (have own two) and looking for something a little different, also they appear to be cutting a lot of corners on the new models that I can no longer overlook.
At first I did consider the possibility of the new 2021 Kia Seltos, but when I got the full specs FWD was only offered on the base LX model, so a lot of features were missing.

So far the CX-30 GS FWD is at the top of my list from what I have seen so far and checks a lot of boxes in my requirements. It is missing a couple of items that I really like on my current model - power folding mirrors, smart key, self-holding hood.

No matter what vehicle you pick there is always a compromise and all depends on your priority.

 

[MAZman]

Volvo XC40
BMWX1
Audi Q3

As Conwelpic stated "No matter what vehicle you pick there is always a compromise and all depends on your priority." - that and what you are comfortably willing to spend. I felt the CX-30 was the best all around pick that checked most boxes and was the best value for the dollar. That from a buyers perspective with a plan to keep the car for at least 4 years. If you are leasing then you may look at it from a different perspective.

 

[TunaFresh]

Crosstrek and 3. Didn't want the cylinder deactivation so I chose the Select trim. Love it.

 

[conwelpic]

I took a close look at the Nissan Qashqai (Rogue Sport) today and was quite impressed with quite a few things, but found some odd things. It was the SV version that I checked out.

Question: Who had this vehicle on their shopping list and bought the CX-30 instead - and why did you purchase it.

 

[otomac]

I took a close look at the Nissan Qashqai (Rogue Sport) today and was quite impressed with quite a few things, but found some odd things. It was the SV version that I checked out.

Question: Who had this vehicle on their shopping list and bought the CX-30 instead - and why did you purchase it.

The Nissan Qashqai interior's is boring and old. The back seats are unconfortable.
Overall the CX-30 design is much nicer. Finally, I've got and old 2005 mazda 3 still running. over 300000 km....
These are the reasons why we bought the cx30.

 

[Bovard]

I wasn’t really interested in the typical CX-30 subcompact competitors, like the HRV and CHR with the exception of the Crosstrek. When my previous car was going through an engine rebuild after a catastrophic failure the Subaru dealer provided a 2019 Crosstrek as a loaner. I drove it for a month/approx 700 miles and liked it overall. It had more rear cabin space and a 2 gallon+ bigger gas tank than CX-30. But the CX-30‘s styling, superior performance and handling, comfort, premium interior, and 6 speed trans compared to the Crosstrek’s CVT made it an easy choice. Another appealing aspect of the CX-30 was the Preferred trim level. It has basically all the features I want so I didn’t need to pay more to get the top trim (Premium in the U.S.). Out of curiosity I checked out the Seltos after I had got my CX-30 and it seemed like a good car but the CX-30 is a cut above. I like the CX-5 but I prefer the CX-30’s smaller size, styling, handling, seats and interior.

 

[Macachia]

We did checkout the cx5 (we were given a better deal than the interior cx30 for the top trim) but the styling seemed outdated compared to the cx30. Not to mention the infotainment.

 

[grkdude]

Alpha Romeo Stelvio, Volvo XC40, and also the CX-5.

 

[steve67]

We did checkout the cx5 (we were given a better deal than the interior cx30 for the top trim) but the styling seemed outdated compared to the cx30. Not to mention the infotainment.

i have been told a new CX5 is on its way,

 

[Adam21]

I decided on going w/the CX-30 over the 3 hatch. Sad day; I love the 3 hatch - leased the 2014 and 2017 versions.

I chose the CX-30 over the 3 Hatch for these reasons:

• More head room in the back for sure (I'm 6'2, my brother 6'3. my head was just touching the roofline in the backseat)
• Cargo space seemed larger (maybe due to the height?)
• Better driving sightlines
• interior was a lot brighter (I have NO IDEA why they made the 3 with the all black interior, including the pillars and headliner. the 3's interior is just too dark)
• The cabin just feels a lot more spacious overall.
• For some reason the lease payments were LOWER for the CX-30!!!

For me, the 3 Hatch looks absolutely incredible (seeing the polymetal gray 3 Hatch with the blacked-out wheels in person.... damn, the pics don't do it justice)!!! But.... the CX-30 seems more functional. That, and the lower lease payments sealed the deal.

I'm really gonna miss driving the 3...

 

[Habu]

Looked at the Toyota CH-R and the Volvo XC40 but only test drove the Mazda. We had actually bought a brand new 2019 CX-3 Sport Nav with safety pack and stone leather to replace her 2017 CX-3 with the same trim but rejected this on collection as the dealer had trashed the dashboard trying to remove the central display so as to fit Apple CarPlay. We kept the 2017 CX-3 for two months before getting the CX-30.

 

[#LFGM!]

Porsche Macan and Volvo XC40.