In Portugal, the SUV segment represents 30% of the car market. A number few brands can ignore. Mazda is no exception.
With a range so far made up of just two SUVs — that is, the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 — the Japanese brand has just received a weight booster, which will allow it to meet consumers looking for a medium SUV: the new Mazda CX-30.
A model that we already had the opportunity to test in Frankfurt, and that we are now driving again in the vicinity of the Spanish city of Girona, this time with all engines available for testing: Skyactiv-D (116 hp), Skyactiv-G (122 hp) and Skyactiv-X (180 hp).
Now that we know the equipment list and prices for all Mazda CX-30 versions, let's focus on the differences between the powertrains in the CX-30 range.
Mazda CX-30 Skyactive-G. The spearhead.
Mazda believes that, in Portugal, 75% of Mazda CX-30 sales come from the Skyactiv-G engine.
It is an engine 2.0 l gasoline engine with 122 horsepower , aided by a small electric motor that uses a lithium-ion battery pack to allow, for example, to deactivate the heat engine in situations of deceleration and continue to power the main systems to support driving and comfort.
At moderate rates, consumption stood at 7.1 l/100 km. A very interesting figure considering the dimensions of the model.
It is an engine that invites you to slow paced for two reasons. On the one hand, due to its smoothness, and on the other, due to the scaling of the box that clearly favors consumption.
The noise level of this engine is so low, that the most unwary might think we are in the presence of an electric model. If we add the most attractive price of the entire range to this — and that during the launch it will be for 27 650 euros — no wonder it is the 'spearhead'.
Mazda CX-30 Skyactive-D. Better consumptions.
Unsurprisingly, it was in the Mazda CX-30 Skyactiv-D, equipped with the newly launched engine. 1.8 l of 116 hp and 270 Nm , that we managed to reach the best consumption average. On a route similar to what we did with the Skyactiv-G version, we reached an average of 5.4 l/100km.
In terms of driving pleasantness, the more generous torque of this engine allows for more vigorous recoveries and less use of the gearbox, although in terms of pure accelerations the light gasoline version (light) has an advantage.
In terms of noise and vibrations, despite not being as discreet as the Skyactiv-G engine, this Skyactiv-D engine is far from noisy and unpleasant. Quite the contrary.
That said, if we add the low consumption to the convincing performance of this Skyactiv-D engine, the price differential of 3105 euros compared to the Skyactiv-G engine, could justify the option for the former, in the case of those who travel many kilometers annually.
Mazda CX-30 Skyactive-X. Technological Compendium.
Available only from October, the Skyactiv-X engine was the one that aroused the most curiosity, due to the technological solutions it contains. Namely, the system called SPCCI: Spark Controled Compression Ignition. Or if you prefer, in Portuguese: spark-controlled compression ignition.
According to Mazda, the 2.0 Skyactiv-X engine with 180 hp and 224 Nm of torque maximum combines "the best of diesel engines with the best of gasoline engines". And in practice, that's what we felt.
The Skyactiv-X engine is halfway between a diesel engine and a gasoline engine (Otto), in terms of consumption and smoothness of driving.
We drove a pre-production version of the Mazda CX-30 equipped with this revolutionary engine for about 25 km and achieved an average of 6.2 L/100 km. A very satisfactory value, considering the engine's power and running smoothness — which is still less than its sister Skyactiv-G, but better than the Skyactiv-D.
A positive note is also made for the fact that the consumption range of the Skyactiv-X engine is smaller than that of conventional gasoline engines. In other words, at higher rates, consumption does not increase as much as in an Otto cycle gasoline engine.
Less positive note? The price. While the CX-30 with a Skyactiv-G petrol engine starts at €28,670, the equivalent version with Skyactiv-X engine will cost 34,620 euros — in other words, approximately €6000 more.
That's how much it costs to reach 0-100 km/h in 8.5s and reach 204 km/h of top speed. Against the 10.6s of the 0-100 km/h and the 186 km/h of top speed of the Skyactiv-G engine.
According to Mazda, it's what you pay for the most generous power, technology and lowest emissions. Does it pay? It depends on what each one values and, above all, on what each one can afford.