Mazda CX-30

 How it looks when you see on the street: The CX30 is a small SUV that has good contours and feels just right for the moment we’re living in. We love a good small SUV, and we’re not afraid to own that statement, and we really like the CX-30, introduced in 2020. The CX-30’s svelte physique pops.

How it makes you feel when you get in: Steady and sure. What we love about the CX-30 is that its low key, not ostentatious, but still has a personality. Sometimes we like to see the world from up high.  If you read enough car blogs that bemoan the category, we think they’ve fallen behind the times on what the people want.

How it drives: One might not choose to drive a crossover because of how it drives, but actually when it comes to this Mazda, the opposite is true. We had the model with the option of 2.5 liter turbo engine, and equipped with all-wheel drive, and this is the one to get. We loved playing with paddle shifters, and the nimble handling of the CX-30 is one of the reasons we gush about the small cars and SUVs made by this brand. It also gets about 28 miles per gallon.

Space for people and things: CX-30 is a case study in finding the sweet spot  for city drivers who travel with lots of stuff.

Best Features: It’s added in the necessary infotainment option of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What makes it stand out: It’s thoughtful storage capabilities help round out the gap in Mazda’s lineup.

What should you compare it to: Toyota C-HR.

Price: Our test vehicle was $35,595