Mazda showcases ‘premium experience’ with new CX-30, CX-8
By Manny N. De los Reyes
MAZDA PHILIPPINES’ two all-new crossovers made their public debut over the weekend at the Bonifacio High Street Big Bear Oval. The 2020 Mazda CX-30 compact crossover and the all-new 2020 Mazda CX-8 three-row crossover headed the Hiroshima-based car maker’s expanded CX family lineup of upscale, stylish and fun-to-drive crossovers in a display and test drive activity designed to let customers discover and experience the next-generation Mazda Premium.
Bigger than the CX-5 but smaller than the flagship 7-seater CX-9 (but with the same wheelbase as the latter), the CX-8 is Mazda’s newest three-row sport utility vehicle (SUV). Its key feature is its availability as a luxurious 6-seater in a 2-2-2 seating configuration. For those with more traditional passenger-carrying needs, a more traditional 2-3-2 setup is also available.
The CX-8, which comes in front- or all-wheel drive models, is powered by a 190hp/252Nm normally aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine mated to a 6-speed automatic. It comes with adaptive LED headlamps, 19-inch wheels with 225/55R19 tires, power tailgate, and rain-sensing wipers.
Mazda’s new midsize SUV offers standard Nappa leather seats in a very upmarket deep red color, power adjustment for the front occupants (10-way with memory for the driver, 6-way for the passenger), tri-zone automatic climate control, heads-up display, power sunroof, and an 8-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10 Bose speakers.
The CX-8 boasts six airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist. The AWD variant comes with i-Activ Sense which bundles adaptive radar-based cruise control, smart brake support, and driver-attention alert.
The 2020 Mazda CX-8 starts at P2,290,000 for the 4×2 Signature and P2,450,000 for the 4×4 Exclusive.
Mazda seems to be plugging in all the gaps in its crossover-SUV line. While the CX-8 slots in between the CX-5 and CX-9, the curiously named CX-30 (why not CX-4?) squeezes in between the subcompact CX-3 and compact CX-5. The CX-30 is designed for those who adore the tiny but lovable CX-3, but want a little more space (it’s four inches longer and a little over an inch wider) and higher ground clearance (by 15mm). The CX-30’s 2,655mm wheelbase is closer to the CX-5’s generous 2,700mm, though, effectively addressing one of the CX-3’s weaker points — limited rear legroom.
Like the CX-3, the base variant of the CX-30 rides on 16-inch wheels (215/65R16 tires) while the mid- and top-of-the-line variants roll on 18-inch wheels with 215/55R18 tires. LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and power folding mirrors are standard, but only the mid- and high-trim models benefit from adaptive front lighting, with the range-topper getting a power tailgate.
And while the CX-3 shares its platform with the Mazda2, the CX-30 shares its chassis with the new Mazda3. All three Mazdas (CX-3, Mazda3 and CX-30) come with the same engine: a 155hp/200Nm 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G mated to a 6-speed automatic. And like the CX-3, the flagship model gets all-wheel drive.
All CX-30 variants have two-tone black-and-dark brown interior, with leather seats on the two higher models and power-adjustable driver’s seat for the flagship. All models also sport a 7-inch LCD instrument panel in tandem with Mazda’s Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display and 8-speaker Mazda Harmonic Acoustics audio system.
The mid-range variant gets cruise control, dual-zone climate control with rear vents and an auto-dimming rearview mirror while the range-topper gets adaptive cruise control, heads-up display, and no less than 12 Bose speakers.
All CX-30 variants get seven airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, and rear parking camera, with the top-end model adding front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and Mazda’s i-Activsense, which combines smart brake support, front-cross traffic alert, and driver-attention alert along with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The 2020 Mazda CX-30 comes in four variants: the entry-level 2WD Pro at P1,490,000, the mid-range 2WD Sport at P1,790,000, the flagship AWD Sport at P1,990,000 and the AWD Signature (with white leather seats, which add P15,000 to the AWD Sport’s price).
“Mazda simply has the best-looking vehicle lineup in the country today. And what better way for car buyers to see, feel and drive them in one go than at this weekend’s Mazda Premium Experience,” shared Mikko David, Senior Manager for Marketing and PR of Mazda Philippines, before the opening of the event.
“Mazda customers can experience and feel for themselves the premium difference in design, interior quality and driving feel of the Mazda car and crossover range,” he added.
Aside from test drives of the new Mazda around BGC, the three-day event gave an in-depth tour of the new Mazda design philosophy as well as showcased the craftsmanship and safety technologies that can be found in the brand’s latest models.
Aside from the new CX-30 and CX-8, Mazda also made available for test drive the all-new Mazda3, the Mazda6 Turbo executive sedan, the award-winning CX-5 premium 5-seat crossover, and the CX-9 premium executive 7-seat crossover.