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What cars were you looking at before deciding on the CX-30?

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19K views 33 replies 25 participants last post by  gerntz  
#1 ·
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.
 
#4 ·
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.
 
#9 · (Edited)
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.
 
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#10 ·
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.
 
#12 ·
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.
 
#14 ·
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.
 
#18 · (Edited)
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...
 
#19 ·
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.
 
#21 ·
We currently have a 2012 RAV4 AWD Limited (with that awesome V6) and a 2012 Prius C3 (with an incredible 53mpg). Being recently retired and no longer having to commute, we're looking to downsize to a single car. Living in northern Vermont in a small town with only one paved road, it has to be AWD. So we were looking at the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid, the Honda CR-V and HR-V, the VW Tiguan 4Motion, and the Mazda CX-3 and 30. It's just my wife and me with our three golden retrievers so cargo trumps back seat comfort.

  • The RAV4 is a nice car, but overkill for us and it has a mushy feel on the road. Same for the Tiguan and the CR-V
  • The HR-V is a very nice size for us, is lower than our RAV4 which would make loading our kayaks on the roof easier, handles our beat up roads well and has enough power for our needs. But the mpg is a weak point for such a small car...and the seats are among the most uncomfortable I've ever tried. A shame, as the dealer is fantastic and when I asked for a test drive he tossed me the key fob Friday afternoon and said bring it back Monday. I was in love with the car for about twenty minutes at which time my rear end started complaining.
  • I've not yet looked at the Mazdas. The specs look promising and I've heard the seats are pretty nice, but the local dealer has a horrible reputation and has been charged by the state for rolling back odometers on used cars. If I buy new and never go there for service it wouldn't matter, but if I ever need warranty work...
I should probably look at the Subaru Crosstrek and Forester as well, but the way they failed so many customers with the coolant system and head gasket issues has me wary.
 
#29 ·
We currently have a 2012 RAV4 AWD Limited (with that awesome V6) and a 2012 Prius C3 (with an incredible 53mpg). Being recently retired and no longer having to commute, we're looking to downsize to a single car. Living in northern Vermont in a small town with only one paved road, it has to be AWD. So we were looking at the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid, the Honda CR-V and HR-V, the VW Tiguan 4Motion, and the Mazda CX-3 and 30. It's just my wife and me with our three golden retrievers so cargo trumps back seat comfort.

  • The RAV4 is a nice car, but overkill for us and it has a mushy feel on the road. Same for the Tiguan and the CR-V
  • The HR-V is a very nice size for us, is lower than our RAV4 which would make loading our kayaks on the roof easier, handles our beat up roads well and has enough power for our needs. But the mpg is a weak point for such a small car...and the seats are among the most uncomfortable I've ever tried. A shame, as the dealer is fantastic and when I asked for a test drive he tossed me the key fob Friday afternoon and said bring it back Monday. I was in love with the car for about twenty minutes at which time my rear end started complaining.
  • I've not yet looked at the Mazdas. The specs look promising and I've heard the seats are pretty nice, but the local dealer has a horrible reputation and has been charged by the state for rolling back odometers on used cars. If I buy new and never go there for service it wouldn't matter, but if I ever need warranty work...
I should probably look at the Subaru Crosstrek and Forester as well, but the way they failed so many customers with the coolant system and head gasket issues has me wary.
Had a Forester XT (turbo) for 10+ yrs. --- normal maintenance, no issues or problems. But it required hi- octane gas (pricey).
 
#24 ·
I had a 5-series, so looked at the X1. Didn't fancy the GLA and did not take to the interior of the XC-40. Considered the Q3 but rejected it as no dealer nearby to test one.

I'll pop my comparison between the CX-30 and the X1 in a post in this area:
 
#25 ·
I test drove a Seltos, that was nice and I probs would have been happy with it, but I wanted a Mazda over a KIA. Also drove a Toyota Yaris Cross. The electric engine impressed me with how quiet it was, then the petrol engine kicked in and the noise was too much, like something was wrong with the car, it was also piss weak, put my foot down and all it made was more noise.

I wanted a reliable Japanese car. I had a mini cooper just prior and it was super expensive to maintain with things needing fixing way too early in their lifecycle.

Unless I win lotto I will never buy a "luxury" car.
 
#26 ·
It came down to the top trim versions of the:
  • Kia Seltos
  • Mazda 3 hatch
  • Hyundai Kona

The Seltos had the best space but worst interior
The Kona looked the most interesting but worst space
The 3 hatch drove best but was like sitting in a cave
The CX-30 had the best interior and wasn’t the worst in anything so it won by default
 
#27 · (Edited)
I'm compiling a spreadsheet shortlist at the moment for options to replace my 2017 Mazda 3. I've had to rule out a new Mazda 3 since the ground clearance / breakover angle is now too low for my needs. These are cars available in the UK. I've ruled out those in italics and any cars having poor reliability which includes Audi, Mercedes, Nissan and others. I was surprised at the very poor depreciation of Subaru cars so ruled out that brand too.

Mazda CX-30 SkyActiv G (not driven yet)
Mazda CX 5 (but too large for needs & CX30 better?)
Toyota RAV 4 (note too large for needs on test drive)
Kia Xceed (note poor road noise on test drive)
Skoda Karoq (note average reliability, not driven yet)
Kia Niro Hybrid (small boot)
Skoda Kamiq (small boot)
Suzuki Vitara ( poor depreciation)
Honda HRV (many drawbacks including reliability)
Honda CRV Hybrid (high depreciations & fuel cost)
BMW X1 (expensive & poor reliability)
 
#30 ·
I had been wanting a CX-5 for awhile until a Jeep Grand Cherokee "Upland" edition caught my eye. I made a deal on a Jeep but slept on it and changed my mind. When I discovered the CX-30 I again changed my mind - I like its size better than the CX-5 for the most part and all of the positive comments about the interior swayed me. I honestly had considered a Porsche Panamera 4 (all-wheel-drive - basically a wagon) too while deciding what to buy - I had one in Germany a few years ago and liked it a lot. I'm past paying $500 per tire and expensive services. After driving my CX-30 for almost 6 months (not my daily driver) I can't imagine I'd be any happier with a car 3x the price.
 
#31 ·
One thing that reviewers leave out are the costs of running a car. On my mini cooper I never imagined that I would need new brake pads every 23,000km, then new discs every second change of brake pads, I was on my 3rd set of tyres when I traded in the car at 63,000km and I don't drive that hard. It's crazy how many things contribute to running a car that you take for granted.
 
#32 ·
I liked the look of the Kia Seltos but they don’t sell it in the UK. The Volvo XC40 was probably the closest competitor for me. Other mainstream makes were lacking in style (exterior, and especially interior). For a while I was thinking of getting a Lexus, but I think the NX is too big for my purposes and the UX felt cramped. Also pricey. As for the German options, seems like despite their premium status, CX-30 has them beat on style, features, reliability, safety, with a lower price point. There’s probably some other good options I overlooked (I noticed the Peugeot 3008 the other day), but once I test drove the CX-30 I didn’t feel like looking any further. I’m not going to be driving every day so I wasn’t going to split hairs on certain things like fuel economy, acceleration.