Fettling the Mazda CX-30 for form and function

One of the more significant new releases at the 2019 Geneva motor show was the Mazda CX-30.

Set to arrive in Australia early next year, the new Mazda will sit in the local line-up between the CX-3 and CX-5 SUVs, but in VFACTS terms it will be deemed a small SUV, sitting in that segment alongside the smaller CX-3.

Despite that, the Mazda CX-30 is closer in size to the CX-5 – a medium SUV – and is based on the platform of the new Mazda3. The Mazda3 is a small car, which is typically the same basic footprint as a medium SUV like the CX-5.

But the CX-30 will be smaller in length and width than the Mazda3, according to the program manager for the CX-30, Naohito Saga.

"For the basic architecture we developed the CX-30 using the new-generation products' platform," Saga told carsales through an interpreter.

"So in that sense we have commonality with the Mazda3, but as [the CX-30] is a cross-over model we made [the] necessary modifications...

"We made those modifications according to the key values we gave to this model."

According to the Mazda exec, the three design values are urban SUV-style manoeuvrability, spacious interior and ride height. Addressing the first criterion, the CX-30 is shorter than the five-door Mazda3.

"Normally the five-door hatchback has maybe 4500 or 4600mm of overall length, and to make this model's overall length shorter we've have made it less than 4400mm," Saga said.

"Also, the overall width of this model is below 1800mm. Thanks to that, this model can manoeuvre through very narrow roads in the city area."

Despite the smaller external dimensions – including a wheelbase that's shorter by 7mm – the CX-30 remains roomy enough inside and provides spaciousness comparable to the CX-5's.

"We make sure that all those people in the car can have a comfortable place.

"For example, the distance between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat in front is the same as that of the CX-5. And for the rear space, we secured a tall enough space for an adult... like 183cm tall person can have a good clearance [headroom].

"And we also made the cargo space of this vehicle large enough to accommodate the baby buggy for those with a family with kids."

The CX-30's boot space, at 430 litres, is not far off the 442 litres of the CX-5.

Mazda's engineers have also set the hip point to suit older or larger buyers of the CX-30 in its role of urban SUV (or cross-over, as Mazda prefers to classify it).

"First of all, we had to change the seating position," Saga explained. "In terms of the distance from the floor to the seats it's changed from the Mazda3.

"Also, we had to secure a large enough space for the rear seats; we changed the seating position, and also how people are seated in the rear seats. Those are different from the Mazda3.

"The last [change] is the height; we had to give a taller ground clearance for this vehicle, so we made sure to design this vehicle in terms of functionality... its cross-over function is provided."

Saga's colleague, Ryo Yanisagawa, is the Chief Designer for the Mazda CX-30. In conversation with carsales he advised through an interpreter that the SUV drew heavily on the work done by the Mazda3 design and engineering teams, with the small car program taking the lead.

"Mazda3 actually ran ahead of us, so we were the follower in terms of the development processes," Yanisagawa said. "The chief designer of Mazda3 is sitting right next to me in my office, so I have a really close communication with him."

Unlike other car companies, Mazda does not submit its new designs to focus groups for approval.

"Mazda doesn't do market research at all, for design. We were doing it up until 15 years ago, but we stopped. If we show something to the customer... we can only gather the voice of the customer at that moment. When the customer likes it now that same customer may not like it when that car is available in the market."

The CX-30 was styled by Mazda's design centre in Germany, but Japan put the finishing flourishes on the vehicle for production. And according to Yanasigawa, the CX-30 design was signed off by Mazda's veteran design chief, Ikuo Maeda.

"Maeda-san, who is the chief of design in Mazda, has final approval for design.

"Of course, we ask for the consensus of the CEO and board members, but when Maeda thinks something is right it's the right solution."