Mazda CX-30 is coming to Malaysia, but it’s not going to be cheap

On display at the Mazda booth at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) is the all-new 2020 Mazda CX-30, the brand’s new compact SUV that slots between the Mazda CX-3 and Mazda CX-5.

The stylish CX-3, while marketed as a crossover/SUV, is actually not as practical as one would expect from cars of this segment. Essentially a jacked-up Mazda 2, the CX-3 has quite a tight cabin that doesn’t fare well in family duties.

To fill in the gap for customers looking for a compact SUV that can accommodate the family comfortably, Mazda has the CX-30.

Based on the all-new Mazda 3 platform, the CX-30 is closer of a rival to the Toyota C-HR instead of the Honda HR-V.

Cabin space in the CX-30 is similar to what you get from the Mazda 3, albeit less claustrophobic as the SUV has larger rear windows. Boot space is rated at 430 litres which betters the C-HR (388 litres).

Globally, there are three engine options available for the CX-30 – 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol (122 PS/213 Nm) and 1.8-litre Skyactiv-D turbodiesel (116 PS/270 Nm), both are equipped with Mazda’s mild-hybrid system as well as the Skyactiv-X petrol (180 PS/224 Nm).

The 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine also features cylinder deactivation system that shuts down cylinders 1 and 4 in light-load situations to reduce fuel consumption.

All engine options are paired to either a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. Front-wheel drive is the default drivetrain while the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system is available as an option.

Features available on the CX-30 include LED headlamps and taillamps, 18-inch alloys, 8.8-inch infotainment display (non-touchscreen) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, LCD instrument cluster display, colour heads up display, powered tailgate and Bose sound system.

Bermaz Motor, the official distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, has expressed their strong interest in bringing the CX-30 to the local market. However, pricing is cited to be their biggest challenge.

In Japan, the CX-30 is priced in the same league as the C-HR, from ¥2.3 million. If Bermaz Motor decides to fully import the CX-30, expect it the CX-30 to compete in the RM 150,000 price bracket.

Currently, Mazda Malaysia’s manufacturing facility in Kulim is at maximum capacity producing the CX-5 and CX-8 which are exported to ASEAN markets.

However, the company is not ruling out local assembly operations for the CX-30 just yet as this model competes in a segment with higher market share and demand.

Malaysian consumers can expect the arrival of the Mazda CX-30 sometime next year (2020) with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv-G petrol engine.