Mazda CX-30 Homura long-term test: our small SUV offers genuine driver enjoyment

I’m not sold on the black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and lower portions of the car, particularly because it’s hard to keep looking fresh. But I suppose it fits in with the raised ride height and slightly more rugged aesthetic compared with the 3.

‘My’ CX-30 comes in mid-range Homura specification and features Mazda’s new 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G mild-hybrid petrol engine, producing 138bhp and 238Nm of torque. Mazda says it offers better performance than the 2.0-litre unit it replaces, while reducing noise, vibration and harshness. Other efficiency-improving systems include Mazda’s i-Stop technology, which cuts the engine when you come to a halt, and cylinder deactivation that switches between four and two cylinders to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions at cruising speeds.

I must admit, I’ve found the set-up to be very smooth and well integrated, although my current average mpg is a little lower than anticipated, with most of my journeys being shorter urban trips. I’d expect the figure to rise closer to the WLTP average of 47.1mpg as the CX-30 adds more motorway miles.

The six-speed gearbox is a delight. The leather-wrapped lever looks ace and reminds me of the stubby version found in the Mazda MX-5. On the road it moves crisply between each gear, too – I didn’t have the CX-30 down as an exciting drive, but it’s a genuinely engaging experience. Despite this, I recently managed a 200-mile, four-hour trip and found the seats supportive, while good refinement made for a relaxing time at the wheel.

From a driver’s point of view, then, I think Mazda has done a fine job with the CX-30 – although some sterner family testing awaits, dealing with the demands of my two teenage children and chunky labrador.

*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.