Inevitably, sliding into a new car every week invites comparisons with the previous one. Not pointing any fingers here, but on arrival the CX-30 felt like a double lungful of fresh air—it’s stylish, well appointed, comfortable and a pleasure to drive. So much so that it brings up Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom mantra of old. It also still feels like good value.

“Still” because, while this 2024 CX-30 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus is little different from the 2023 CX-30 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus we drove last July, it does cost a wee bit more. The MSRP for this model rose from $35,400 to $36,800 but, as optioned, this car costs just $690 more ($38,905) than last year’s nearly identical vehicle. And Mazda says we can still get into an entry-level CX-30—there are now eight trim levels—for as little as $26,415.

A starter CX-30 comes with a 2.5-litre gas engine rated for 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque; our car has essentially the same engine, but turbocharged to 250 horses and 320 torques on premium fuel (227/310 on 87-octane gas). In a subcompact vehicle, these are big improvements, and contribute substantially to the Zoom-Zoom. Furthermore, at steady-state cruising, two of the engine’s four cylinders go dormant, which no doubt helps the CX-30 Turbo achieve its 30 highway MPG. All-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission are standard across the CX-30 lineup. (Rather than a hot hatch, this is a mini SUV.)

New in the CX-30 for 2024 are several tech upgrades such as USB-C ports and Rear Seat Alert, to warn front-seaters upon leaving the vehicle that there’s someone still back there. Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert is also now standard in the CX-30. The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus comes with a larger touchscreen (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) as well as the new Cruising & Traffic Support system that first appeared in the flagship CX-90 three-row crossover.  

CTS uses radar to scan for slower vehicles ahead while also keeping an eye on lane markings to each side, then keeps the CX-30 following safely in the queue. The adaptive cruise control does this in normal highway driving, but Mazda says that CTS is specially tuned to cope with traffic that “oscillates more noticeably” at speeds between 18 and 38 miles per hour—that is, the typical urban/suburban rush-hour commute. It's worth noting that the 2024 CX-30 earned top safety ratings, indicating once again that a well-designed small car can protect occupants as well as a giant SUV—and perhaps better avoid an accident in the first place.

Other deluxe-ish touches in our top-trim CX-30 include a 12-speaker stereo, leather seating (heated in the front), a power-adjustable driver’s seat with two memory settings, a power tailgate, gearshift paddles, an electronic e-brake, a powered moonroof, wireless phone charger, head-up display in the windshield, heated wing mirrors and more.

Today any car, especially a practical-yet-swanky subcompact SUV, that that costs less than 40 grand and is this enjoyable to drive, and this well-appointed and put together, feels like a bargain.

Next week: Acura TLX Type S