The Mazda CX-30 is already one of the best crossovers in the market, because of its features, design and driving dynamics. For 2024, Mazda Philippines has improved the CX-30 even more with infotainment enhancements, design tweaks, and added safety features.
First off there’s a new Black Chrome finish on the signature wing, along with Piano Black window garnishes. Inside there are new gun metallic accents on the door handles, dashboard, A/C vents, A/C controls, and transmission shifter ring.
The seats are now a combination of terracotta leather and Black Leganu Suede upholstery, while Black Leather & Leganu Suede with contrasting terracotta stitching tastefully adorn the cabin. The seats are still very ergonomic, helping the spine’s natural curvature while also providing a clear field of view of the road ahead.
One of the more obvious improvements is in the infotainment system. While the previous main display wasn’t small—it was actually one of the first in the market to feature a longer Apple CarPlay display with more icons shown—the 2024 version grows to 10.25-inches.
A niggle to some, it’s still not a touchscreen display, with Mazda relying solely on its circular controls on the center console and the steering wheel buttons. To be fair, the physical controller response is quite fast. And it does eliminate that split-second distraction of the driver diverting his eyes and touching the screen in other cars. While you do move your eyes when moving the physical controller, you don’t move your eyes as much and you retain more of your peripheral vision.
There is now Wireless Apple CarPlay, and an accompanying wireless charger to go with it. Other features in the CX-30 include a 12-speaker Bose sound system, an electric glass sunroof, a front windshield-projected Active Driving Display, 360-degree view monitor, and a power tailgate with memory.
The CX-30’s i-Activsense Driver Assist Technology has been upgraded with the addition of Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Front Cross Brake Support (FCBS), Rear Cross Brake Support (RCBS), and Driver Monitoring System (DMS). These are in addition to the already extensive list of advanced driver assist features such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS), Smart Brake Support – Front (SBS-F) with Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Smart Brake Support – Rear (SBS-R), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane Keep Assist (LKA), and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Together with other safety features such as seven SRS airbags and parking sensors all around, it is the safest CX- 30 yet.
It’s safe for other vehicles, too. The new adaptive LED headlights feature Mazda’s top-range lighting technology. They automatically brighten or dim individual beams to maximize illumination without blinding other vehicles. At speeds up to 40 kph, the system illuminates a wider area for better visibility of sidewalks and pedestrians—helpful when passing through busy city streets or intersections. At speeds above 95 kph, the system raises the illumination for better long-range visibility to help drivers spot potential hazards, traffic signs, or road exits earlier and give them more time to react accordingly.
“The Japanese master craftsmen have always prized simplicity of form, of being beautifully pure,” says Steven Tan, President and CEO of Mazda Philippines. “This inspired our designers to trim back elements and create something dynamic yet elegant, restrained yet vital. This is how we perceive Japanese aesthetics—a sensibility that has created emotionally moving cars.”
Last but not least, the CX-30 is powered by a 2.0-liter e-Skyactiv-G engine equipped with the 24-volt Mazda Hybrid system. This system captures and stores energy that is normally wasted during braking into a lightweight lithium-ion battery. That stored energy is then used to drive an integrated electric motor that sends additional power to the drivetrain, while also powering the CX-30’s electrical system.
In certain circumstances, it can coast on electric power alone. The compact motor generates an extra 7hp and a significant 49Nm, helping boost overall outputs to 162hp at 6,000 rpm and 213Nm at 4,000 rpm. This is mated to a Skyactiv-Drive 6-speed automatic with sport mode and paddle shifters.
The 2024 Mazda CX-30 is priced at P1,995,000, a P5,000 increase over the 2023 model. For all the added features, that sounds like a bargain. Of course it is offered with Mazda’s industry- leading ownership package—a 5-year Free Service Plan which covers the expenses of periodic maintenance at either 6-month or 10,000-kilometer intervals for up to five years or 100,000 kilometers.
