Tag Archives: Mazda

2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium

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How to make a precision vehicle

By Gary S. Vasilash

“Cars are primarily made from steel, and we need dies to produce the body parts. The precision of the die determines the quality of our cars. At Mazda, we use machine processing to create dies with high precision, but then our Takumi add the final touches by hand to achieve ‘KODO Design.’

“’KODO Design’ uses the play of light and shadow to create designs that make people feel like the car is a living being. To achieve this beauty, our dies must be perfect down to the micrometer level.”–Chiharu Saeki, a technical engineer in the Tool & Die Production Department, Mazda Motor Corporation

A couple things to think about regarding that quote:

  1. Stamping dies are used, of course, to produce body panels in presses that produce from 1,000 to 5,000 tons of force. The stamping dies that go within the presses are larger than the object being produced. For example, while a door might measure 1.2 meters by 1 meter, the die will measure 2.5 meters by 2 meters. The business portions of the dies (i.e., the areas where the forming occurs rather than the support structure) are made with extremely durable tool steels. And know that not only are they dimensionally big, but they are massive, generally weighing from 50 tons to 72 tons.
  2. A micrometer is one millionth of a meter. The width of a human hair is about 80 micrometers.

Certainly to make a die some serious machining is required at the start of the process in order to remove steel. Realize it starts with a rectangular blocks of steel that must have forms cut into both the female and male sides of the dies.

But precision machining notwithstanding, the Mazda craftspeople then look at the surfaces generated by the machining and make minor adjustments to those surfaces with hand tools.

One could argue that when dealing with micrometers this might not be noticeable to the end consumer of the product. But (a) “might not” doesn’t mean they don’t and (b) the people at Mazda think it important that they do their very best, so good isn’t good enough.

And while on the subject of things at the microscale, Mazda uses a painting process that its engineers developed that puts a precision reflective paint layer on the surface measuring about 5 micrometers, compared to the typical automotive layer that is 20 or more times thicker. By using the precision process Mazda creates what are some of the best finishes in the automotive world—and it helps that it is applied to surfaces produced by attention to the details of the die surfaces.

2026 Mazda CX-70 in Melting Copper. A young parking lot attendant provided an unsolicited enthusiastic response to the color, and let’s face it, he sees a lot of vehicles on a daily basis. (Image: Mazda)

Which brings us to the Mazda CX-70, which is built in the Mazda Hofu Plant, meaning a place where there are craftspeople, a.k.a. Takumis.

The CX-70 is a two-row crossover that is as long as the CX-90 three-row crossover (because it is based on the same platform. But because it doesn’t have the third row it provides second-row passengers with surprising legroom (39.4 inches) and capacious cargo volume: 39.6 cubic feet with the second row up and 75.3 cubic feet with it folded.

It is powered by a 3.3-liter inline six that produces 340 hp, with supplementation from a 16.6-hp electric motor that aids such things as performing a transparent stop-start (no, not all people are against these systems that serve to save fuel) and the acceleration after a stop. The electricity is provided by a 48-V mild hybrid system. There is an eight-speed automatic transmission. There is standard AWD.

The same level of care exhibited on the exterior is also evident on the interior, both in terms of the surfaces and interfaces that people touch and see and in the use of buttons for frequently used functions (e.g., HVAC; audio). On the subject of audio: Mazda has been working with Bose for literally decades and the sound quality shows what experience can do. (I would suggest the Mazda Design Department take a look at the graphics used by many other OEMs for their embedded navigation systems and borrow some cues.)

Compared to companies that offer competitive products—like the Honda Passport and the Jeep Grand Cherokee—Mazda’s US sales are significantly smaller.

But the thing is: what it doesn’t have in volume it more than makes up for in precision of execution, all the way to the level of microns.

2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus

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Design and details make this a standout vehicle in a category needing difference

By Gary S. Vasilash

One of the places that Mazda has consistently been a leader in is exterior design execution.

Arguably no other OEM does as well a job on putting out vehicles with stand-out designs not on a here-or-there basis, but across the board, from the top to the bottom.

There seems to be a recognition at Mazda that whether someone can afford an entry level vehicle or the one that is the most expensive, for that person it is their new vehicle that they are proud of. While the high-end vehicles from marques generally have little someone can feel underserved about, often the other vehicles in the lineup don’t resonate as well.

But Mazda is different. It puts its design mark on every vehicle that wears its badge, and that is a highly laudable thing.

Another way Mazda is different is that it doesn’t follow the overall design trends that tends to make too much seem too much alike.

That is, consider the CX-90, its three-row crossover.

Mazda CX-90: The details make the difference. (Image: Mazda)

Nowadays there is an evident rush toward making crossovers—large and small—boxier. This, apparently, is meant to make people think that these vehicles are ready for the Rubicon Trail, people who couldn’t find the Rubicon on a map. (In case you are wondering, it is about a two-hour drive northeast of Sacramento.)

Rather than boxy—or a previous design approach that can be described as “blobby”—there is an overall theme to the design of the CX-90 brings to mind the Streamline Moderne era of the late 1930s and 1940s. There are curves and lines that seem to be indicate the body is streaming through the air.

The top metallic trim piece with speed lines is echoed below in the design of the door handle. (Image: gsv)

And this design theme is picked up in the cabin, as well, with metallic trim accents that are certainly Moderne.

However, the most distinctive thing in the interior is the material on the instrument panel that is handmade-paper-like in appearance and which has two pieces, top and bottom, that appear to be joined by stitched thread. This is described by Mazda as the use of a Japanese weaving technique known as “Kumihimo.” You will not find this—or anything like it, for that matter—in any other crossover vehicle.

The blue line goes to the Kumihimo” stitching. The green line goes to the metallic piece that runs across the instrument panel, wrapping up to the HVAC vents at the A-pillars. (Image: gsv)

Those delicate stitches show that there is a recognition the CX-90 is a premium vehicle that is about comfort, not something that one can imagine having globs of mud hosed out of, as is the case with many other vehicles in the category.

The CX-90 offers seating for seven or eight, depending on the type of seats selected. And for those passengers it is an environment that is characteristic of the country club, not a nearly inaccessible trailhead.

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The Non-Design Aspects

The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus (yes, that’s a mouthful) is powered by a turbocharged 3.3-liter turbocharged straight six. This is a mild-hybrid that, when the recommended 91 octane fuel is used, produces 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. When 87 octane is used (a.k.a., “regular”) the engine controller figures that out and consequently there is a reduction of power to 319 hp.

The official name of the engine is the e-Skyactiv G 3.3 Turbo with M-Hybrid Boost. What this means is there is a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist system, an electric motor that helps provide smoother starts and a modicum of efficiency. (This system just works; there is no plugging in required.)

There is an eight-speed automatic. There is intelligent all-wheel drive (i.e., it comes into play when needed).

Even with that highly respectable performance the vehicle returns an estimated 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

There is a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display. The knob-centric Mazda infotainment interface is used; while not great, it is something that one quickly becomes used to.

There are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There are USB-C ports for all three rows. There is a wireless charge pad just below the infotainment screen (though I’ve got to say it would be better if it was a bit larger because I found spirited driving and the phone in that space not to be particularly consonant).

Among the tech offered in the package are i-Activsense (Mazda really likes names) safety features including a 360° View Monitor with See-Through View, Rear View Monitor (dynamic reversing guidelines), Smart Brake Support Rear, Smart Brake Support Front Crossing, Front Cross Traffic Alert, and and Trailer Hitch View. That’s right: the CX-90 can tow: 3,500 pounds or, when equipped with “Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories,” 5,000 pounds.

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One Thing to Consider

While the entry CX-90, the 3.3 Turbo Select, starts at $39,300, the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus starts at $57,570. This puts it into entry-lux category. Which may make one think about vehicles like, say, the Acura MDX or the Infiniti QX60 because those marques are considered to be more lux than Mazda, which is mainly a mainstream brand.

But again, look at the design. Look at the detail.

Those make a big difference and act in the favor of this vehicle.

2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S Premium Hatchback

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An unexpected feature in this particular trim. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

“(a) Rule required.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator and the Federal Communications Commission, shall issue a rule—

(1) requiring devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations be installed as standard equipment in passenger motor vehicles—

(A) manufactured in the United States for sale in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and

(B) manufactured after the effective date of the rule;

(2) requiring access to AM broadcast stations through the devices required under paragraph (1) in a manner that is easily accessible to drivers. . . .”

That is language from S.315 – AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025. The Senate bill, which has  bipartisan support, is still making its molasses-like way through Congress. Some OEMs for reasons ranging from electric vehicles producing electromagnetic interference with AM band reception to car makers figuring that there are few people who listen to AM on radios, so why not reduce costs?

It is probably not a good thing for fans of manual transmissions that there isn’t something like the National Association of Broadcasters lobbying of behalf of the continuation of manuals because they are decreasing.

There are about seven 2026 MY vehicles with stickers under $50,000 that have one.

The 2026 Mazda Mazda 2.5 S Premium is counted among that number.

Another great feature: that superb styling (Image: Mazda)

What’s interesting is that there are six trims in the Mazda3 lineup and this particular model is the only one offering a six-speed manual transmission. (It is also notable that the Mazda3 is the only non-crossover in the Mazda lineup.)

It once was that an argument made on behalf of manuals was that better gas mileage could be achieved. (Funny thing is: that argument was made when gas was really quite cheap, and I don’t mean just in context of the current huge run-up at the pump.)

But in the case of the Mazda3 in question, which is a front-drive car, it is stickered at 25/34/29 city/highway/combined miles per gallon and a Mazda3 with an automatic transmission and the same 186-hp  engine is stickered at 26/34/29 mpg.

Yes, the automatic does a bit better when it comes to squeezing out the mileage.

(“But it is not as much fun to drive!” say the stick enthusiasts. True. But generally driving is if not bumper-to-bumper than traffic signal-to-traffic signal, so the rare moments of fun give way to tedium.)

Not surprisingly, because this is the sportier variant there are things like 18-inch black-finish aluminum alloy wheels and piano black side garnishes.

The front and rear lights are LED and the headlights have an auto-leveling function.

The vehicle is equipped with an “Active Driving Display,” which is generally called a “head up display.” No matter what you call it, it keeps the drivers eyes looking forward, where they should be looking.

The leather driver’s seat is 8-way power adjustable and heated.

And on the subject of seating, the vehicle offers 91.2 cubic feet of passenger volume, biased, of course, to the front passengers, though people can sit in the back.

There is an 8.8-inch color infotainment screen. It uses the large knob for controlling what’s on that screen called the “Multifunction Command Controller” (which is really a bit much for a knob). And on the subject of physical interfaces, the HVAC control is performed via dials, not embedded in the screen.

There is an abundance of safety tech standard including lane departure warning and lane-keep assist, radar cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, rear cross traffic alert, and more.

And there is a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system with aluminum speaker grilles, which add a nice touch to the already nice interior color and materials execution.

While there is a complementary three-month trial for SiriusXM, presumably there are some people who would prefer you listen to AM.

2026 Mazda CX-50 S Meridian

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Think light-duty applications. . . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

Because COVID caused a whole bunch of people to suddenly like going off road—or going off roadish—there are an abundance of vehicles that have been put out there that can do the job or can at least sort of pretend to do the job.

A great example of both poles are the Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco Sport, with the former engineered to eat rocks and the latter engineered to make traversing gravel roads more of an adventure. Although there are undoubtedly more people who don’t drive on Moab-esque terrain, it is interesting to note that in the first quarter of 2026 Ford sold nearly as many Broncos as Bronco Sports: 31,197 to 35,021.

But this is about the Mazda CX-50 S Meridian, not Ford (although here’s a fun fact: for 36 years Ford and Mazda had a partnership that ended in 2015 when Ford sold its remaining shares of Mazda).

And that vehicle is one that’s pretty much made for the gravel roads, not sandstone formations.

Mazda CX-50 S Meridian: This might happen. (Image: Mazda USA)

The vehicle is powered by a Skyactiv-G 2.5L naturally aspirated 187-hp four-cylinder engine. It produces 185 lb-ft of torque.

There is a six-speed automatic transmission.

And it comes straight out of the box (i.e., standard) with i-Activ AWD and Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (a.k.a., on the switch in the center console, “Mi-Drive”) with Sport and Off-Road modes. (And you’ve got to take those last two with a sizeable grain of salt.)

It has 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped with P225/60R18 all‑terrain tires that look absolutely ready to take on whatever.

But the things that make a difference are the 17.8-degree approach angle, the 24-degree departure angle and the 8.3-inch ground clearance. If those angles mean nothing to you then you’re probably not going off road. If those angles mean something to you, you probably know that you’re going to be doing light off-roading. (And the ground clearance, of course, is important because things like rocks and fallen trees stick up out of the ground, so if they are higher than, say 8 inches, and you try to drive over them . . . .)

Still, compared to other vehicles in the compact ute category, it has the sleek Mazda styling (which sort of makes the taking it off the smoothest surfaces seem almost counter to its looks). This particular trim offers three paint colors—Jet Black Mica, Polymetal Gray, and Zircon Sand—as well as gloss black Mazda badges and black roof rails.

Inside there is attention to details, which is almost something of a category-above, particularly as this vehicle has a starting MSRP of $33,150, which in the current market is remarkable.

To bring it back to the Bronco Sport comparison, there is the Bronco Sport Heritage trim that has a starting MSRP of $33,395.

The Mazda provides more horsepower (187 vs. 181) and greater ground clearance (8.3 inches vs. 7.8 inches). While they probably have the same light-off-roading capabilities, the Ford looks like it belongs out there while the Mazda seems styled for city streets.

2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium

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What’s in a name? Plenty.

By Gary S. Vasilash

A slightly unusual aspect of the 2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium is the name of the 2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium.

Mazda CX-70: More styling than most two-row crossovers (Images: Mazda)

Not the CX-70 part because that’s the naming nomenclature that Mazda uses for its vehicles. Alphanumerics rather than names.

There is one exception. The Miata. Its “official” name is the “MX-5 Miata.” Initially the third-generation of the sports car was labeled simply “MX-5.” That didn’t last long and the word was reapplied.

But I digress.

No, the thing that seems odd about this handsome, two-row crossover’s name is that it includes a truncated designation for the vehicle’s engine.

The engine’s full name is the “e-SKYACTIV-G 3.3 inline six turbo.”

So the model includes the amount of displacement (3.3), which probably means very little to anyone who is in the market for a family-oriented crossover, and the fact the engine is turbocharged, which carries more meaning.

Perhaps this is in keeping with what, say, a BMW does with its naming approach, which also includes a number for displacement.

But the CX-70 is not the sort of thing that would get cross-shopped with a BMW.

It just isn’t.

And the Mazda that could be cross shopped with a BMW by an enthusiast, the MX-5, doesn’t stick to that approach. The name refers to “Mazda Experimental Project – Number 5.”

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It might be a better idea if the name of the vehicle included “AWD,” as in “all-wheel drive.” All CX-70 models come with it.

I think that would be something to shout about.

No one cares.

Instead, Mazda goes so far as to put an “INLINE 6” badge on the front left quarter panel.

Do people who are shopping for a midsize SUV know what that means?

Do they know that the long engine block provides for superior mechanical smoothness than a V-block?

Do they know there is an improvement in things including exhaust gas flow?

Do they care?

And if they do care, would they care more about AWD?

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Another thing that’s not indicated by that name is that the 340-hp engine (non-S CX-70s produce 280 hp) happens to be a mild hybrid. It features “M-Hybrid Boost.”

Which is to say that it is a 48-volt system that supplements performance when accelerating from a stop and improves the smoothness of the engine restart during stops.

It also provides a bit of oomph at the other end: when you are on the throttle, hard.

And it is said to improve miles per gallon, which are EPA estimated 23 city, 28 highway and 25 mpg combined.

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Unless the model you happen to be looking at is fitted with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories you might not know that the CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium can tow.

Capacity: 5,000 pounds.

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There is another number that would be important for someone in the market for a two-row, five-person crossover:

39.6.

That’s the number of cubic feet of cargo capacity with the second row in place for use.

Fold it down and there are 75.3 cubic feet.

Again, a displacement number may be of interest to a handful of people.

A cargo capacity number is of interest to a whole bunch.

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One of the things about Mazda is that it has an earned reputation for nimbleness in ride and handling.

This is something widely hailed, especially by auto journalists.

The CX-70 is 200.8 inches long, 78.5 inches wide, and 68.2 inches high. It has a 122.8-inch wheelbase.

The multilink suspension system does its job well.

But this is not something you’re going to throw through corners like an MX-5 or even Mazda3 (a name that also has nothing to do with powertrain nor with anything someone outside of a carspotter would be interested in knowing about. Trust me.).

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Another number to know about the 2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium: base MSRP is $53,240.

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The “Premium” part of the name designates that, especially on the interior, this is a model with the goods, standard.

Like Nappa leather seating that’s heated and ventilated up front. (In the back just heated.)

Bose 12-speaker audio.

A 12.3-inch infotainment screen that can be used for the wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.

There’s a vast suite of safety tech, including some that is not widely found, like “Smart Brake Support Rear with pedestrian detection”—yes, the sensors will alert the brakes should something untoward seem to be happening.

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There is a vast array of branding companies out there that might add a little something to the name of this vehicle because looking at the vehicle and then looking at how it is doing in the market indicates to me that there are a whole lot of people who are overlooking a good thing.

2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus

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Something you probably didn’t know about NASA—and Alabama

By Gary S. Vasilash

Although when you think of “NASA” Cape Canaveral comes to mind (or Houston, as in “we’ve got a problem”), it is actually the case there is “Rocket City,” and it isn’t in Florida or Texas.

Rather, it is Huntsville, Alabama, which is where Dr. Wernher von Braun and colleagues began work in the 1950s on rockets, like the Saturn V, which launched all Apollo missions, which were the ones that got the U.S. to the Moon.

Of course, the whole space industry is changed, with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin gaining ground in, well, space.

Huntsville is still home to operations like the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, which is still working on extraterrestrial programs, like the Artemis II mission and the science operations on the International Space Station.

But like any city, Huntsville is diversifying.

One of the notable changes in the industrial base on Huntsville occurred in September 2021, when the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant went into production. (Although it is actually located in Madison, Alabama, it is in the Huntsville metro area and consequently, for geographical convenience, called the “Huntsville plant.”)

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. Good stance. (Image: Mazda)

The first vehicle built there was the Toyota Corolla Cross. Then, a few months later, in January 2022, a Mazda went into production in the plant: the CX-50.

Here’s something to know: although both the Corolla Cross and the CX-50 are both compact crossovers, they are not based on the same platform. The Corolla Cross uses the Toyota TNGA-C platform and the CX-50 the Mazda Skyactiv-G platform.

What’s more—and it is more—the CX-50 is significantly larger (e.g., the CX-50 is 185.8 inches long and the Corolla cross 176.1 inches).

However, there is something shared between Mazda and Toyota for the hybrid version of the CX-50: the CX-50 Hybrid uses the fourth-generation Toyota hybrid system, which had been used in the previous-generation RAV4, for example. (The 2026 RAV4 moved to gen five.)

So what we have in the case of the vehicle at hand is an inside and outside executed by Mazda and a powertrain from Toyota. Which is a solid combination.

The vehicle has a good stance. While some vehicles in this category are going for a more blocky look, presumably to make them seem as they’re more capable of traveling on terrain that the owners are highly unlikely to ever even see, this Mazda, like other vehicles offered by the brand, provides a stylish appearance.

This is accentuated by the 19-inch alloy wheels. (Yes, 19-inch wheels, certainly something different for a vehicle in this category.)

On the inside, it is clear that this is a contemporary vehicle. What is refreshing, however, is that there is no pretending that this is something that would be tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Yes, there is a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and the gauges are in a 7-inch LCD cluster.

Good-looking interior materials and, yes, those are HVAC buttons. (Image: gsv)

And there are buttons for various functions, like controlling the HVAC. (Let’s face it, when you get into a vehicle on a cold winter morning, it is much better to make a quick stab at a button and not have to consult a screen. And speaking of winter, the trim driven here has a heated steering wheel.)

There is red stitching (which seems suited to the brand) on the trim. There is the use of metallic surrounds and accents, both bright and brushed. There is no fake wood, which is an absolute plus, as is the little bit of piano black plastic. The whole execution provides a sense of premiumness and purpose, simple and straightforward.

There are nice details, like a small light on the stalk where the windshield wipers are controlled that illuminates when the setting is for automatic wiping. Sure, this is a small thing, but it is often difficult to determine whether that is on or not. And on the subject of windshield wiping, when you activate the windshield cleaning fluid function rather than a spray on the windshield, the fluid goes through the wiper arms, an efficient approach.

You buy a vehicle for the macro. You live with the micro, like that little light on the wiper control stalk. (Image: gsv)

Another nice thing is the wireless charging pad that is tucked under the front of the arm rest covering the center console. The surface is angled back so the phone is in place better than if the surface was flat. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so there is no concern about the positioning of the phone.

About the powertrain: there’s a 176-hp four that’s supplemented by three electric motors (one in the rear to provide AWD) so there is a system horsepower of 219. The vehicle is capable of returning 39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined.

To be sure, the CX-50 Hybrid is in a competitive field. But it more than holds its own.

2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S Aire Edition

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If only there was a higher profile and consistent position for the company. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

I’ve long thought that Mazda would be a bigger factor in the overall auto market. Cox Automotive currently puts the OEM’s market share at 2.5% which, oddly enough ties it with BMW and puts it ahead of Mercedes (2.1%). Mazda, of course, isn’t in the higher end of the market, which explains why those two companies are where they are in the overall market.

But Mazda has an array of vehicles on offer, most of which are under $40,000, and several under $30,000, like the vehicle in question here, the CX-30, a subcompact crossover that puts it in a competitive space with vehicles like the Kia Seltos, Honda HR-V, and several others.

The “several others” is something notable because this is a highly crowded space. Which leads to another thing about Mazda, which is its comparatively small dealer body. Based on a Google search of Mazda and Honda dealerships in Michigan, Mazda has 17 and Honda 29—and Ford and Chevy are in triple digits.

So when you don’t drive past dealer lots with vehicles, or if you don’t see Mazdas parked in driveways in your neighborhood, odds are things like the CX-30 aren’t going to be on your shopping list if you’re considering a new set of wheels.

And then there is the issue of just what a Mazda is. Once it was the sporty alternative to the likes of Honda, Chevy and Ford, primarily based on the Miata (a.k.a., MX-5) as well as the enthusiast reviews of other models that cited their superb ride and handling. None of that is gone except for the sporty positioning in the market.

On the homepage of the Mazda site there’s this:

WHERE INTENTION MEETS INNOVATION

FOR THOSE WHO DO MORE THAN MOVE

We craft vehicles with the power to transform every drive into a meaningful experience. When you’re behind the wheel, you’ll feel how our design, craftsmanship and technology come together to bring you closer to your passions and your journeys.

Which sounds good, but I have no idea what it means.

I mean, I went to the grocery store in it and must confess I didn’t find it to be a “meaningful experience.”

I guess the copywriter must be a frustrated poet or something. The message doesn’t say what the vehicle is. (And doesn’t everyone “Do More Than Move”?)

Mazda CX-30. Visual presence and good mechanicals make a solid package. (Image: Mazda)

No one at Mazda HQ asked, but were I positioning the CX-30 I would concentrate on things like this:

  • Standout exterior styling. Yes, there are all of those other subcompact crossovers out there, many of which are simply cookie-cutter shapes. There is style and reach in the sheet metal of the CX-30.
  • Segment-up interior materials. This is something that is increasingly important. Arguably this is something that Kia and Hyundai have drawn attention to and that not all OEMs are following. Mazda does a good job on paying attention to the various surfaces on the inside of the vehicle, not providing what seems to be a default in many cases (especially in this segment), seeming cubic yards of fake carbon fiber or piano black. There is artificial suede used to wrap sections of the instrument panel, but it looks luxe.
  • Excellent drivability. The CX-30 has a 186-hp four-cylinder engine that provides fuel economy of 24/31/27 mpg city/highway/combined. It is mated to a six-speed automatic, which may seem a couple gears short (the Kia Seltos, for example, offers eight), but often in this segment it is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), so Mazda is still offering a step-gear arrangement. It has a “manual” mode and a “sport” mode for those so inclined but I suspect that they are something used by the kids who borrow the fob from their parents. All CX-30 models come with all-wheel drive (“i-Activ AWD”) and “G-Vectoring Control Plus” and “Off-Road Traction Assist.” Just know that it drives well.

Perhaps this goes to the point of the company doing a solid job in shaping sheet metal and making the mechanical aspects of the vehicle work so well, but I find the sore spot its infotainment interface. But it does offer wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so once either is set up, there’s no need to look at the Mazda execution of that.

So now that you’re aware of the Mazda CX-30, perhaps you should give it a look if you’re in the market for a solid, stylish package.

2025 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature

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By Gary S. Vasilash

Nomenclature in the auto business is a trickier thing than it ought to be for consumers trying to figure out what it is that they might like to buy.

One example of this is the situation that exists between the Mazda CX-5 and the Mazda CX-50.

The CX-5 is an established moniker, having been around since model year 2013.

The CX-50 is far fresher, having been introduced in model year 2023.

Both are compact SUVs.

The addition of the “0” does indicate that the CX-50 is bigger (e.g., 185.8 inches long vs. 180.1 inches for the CX-5; a 110-inch wheelbase vs. a 106.2-inch wheelbase).

The point is, if you go into a Mazda dealership and are looking for what can be considered the “zippier” of the two, go for the CX-5, especially given that both vehicles come with a 2.5-liter engine that, at the top of the line trims (like the one here), produces 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, so because the CX-5 is slightly smaller, it provides better maneuverability. (Of course, both vehicles are not particularly large in the context of many SUVs/crossovers out there, so this is a relative thing.)

2025 Mazda CX-5: the sort of presence other compact SUVs probably wish they had. (Image: Mazda)

Like all Mazdas—and this is no mean feat—the CX-5 looks great. There has been a consistency in styling for the past few years that Mazda hasn’t deviated from. The exterior sheet metal of the CX-5 is formed in a way that makes it distinctive in a category of vehicles that is becoming increasingly truck-like in appearance. (If people want trucks, don’t they simply buy trucks?)

The cabin is comfortable and the materials are what can be considered a “category-above” compared what are found in other compact crossovers. It is something of a mystery as to how a company that doesn’t sell a whole lot of vehicles vis-à-vis the competitors can have Nappa leather and leather-wrapped steering wheels and shifter, to say nothing of a solid 10-speaker Bose audio system.

The CX-5—as in all trims—is an all-wheel-drive vehicle. In this trim level there is the Mazda Intelligent Drive that allows selection of Normal, Off-Road, Sport. Somehow that central choice doesn’t seem all that relevant for a vehicle that will undoubtedly be driven normally 95% of the time and quickly 5%.

And there is a full suite of the Mazda i-Activsense safety features, including Smart Brake Support (you close too quickly on a vehicle in front of you and the vehicle will let you know it) to Adaptive Front Lighting (which is both cool and functional: when you are turning the headlights appropriately pivot to show you where you are going). When moving through sluggish traffic, there’s Traffic Jam Assist, which uses radar cruise control that can bring the vehicle to a complete stop as well as a steering function that helps keep the vehicle centered.

The EPA Passenger and Cargo volumes are 103.6 cubic feet and 30 cubic feet, respectively, so while not giant in either case, certainly reasonable.

The 2025 CX-5 starts at $29,050 and goes to $41,080 (sans delivery fees).

One option I strongly recommend: the Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint. It shows off the form in a wonderful way.

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring

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A car for serious drivers. After all, given the number who are either distracted or driving vehicles that are massive, attention isn’t optional. . . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

According to NHTSA, in 2023 there were 3,275 people killed in crashes involving distracted drivers. That’s 8% of all fatal crashes. Nine people per day died because of that.

In addition to which, 324,819 were injured in accidents related to distracted driving.

One of the biggest contributors to these accidents is the use of cell phones while driving—despite 31 states having laws that ban the use of hand-held devices while driving and 49 states with laws against texting.

Be that as it may, there are still those who apparently need to be using their devices while piloting an object that weighs, on average, according to the EPA, about 4,330 pounds.

What could go wrong, right?

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A friend rides a motorcycle for recreation.

I asked him about whether he’s concerned about distracted driving when he’s out.

He replied that (1) when he rides, his helmet is bright with reflectors and that he’s got a high-viz vest; (2) he tends to take his excursions at 7 am on Saturday mornings, when his biggest concern riding on country roads is deer.

Yes, he’s concerned that people won’t see him.

That can be a problem for motorcyclists and drivers of comparatively small vehicles.

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MX-5: This is the kind of place where you can really enjoy driving it. (Image: Mazda)

When driving the MX-5 I was stopped at a light, first in line.

I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a portion of a massive chrome grille.

At the top of what I could see through the backlight was part of a Ford logo. Not the whole badge, just part of it.

It was an F-250.

In southeastern Michigan there are probably more F Series trucks, Silverados, Sierras, and Rams than you might imagine. That’s because many people in that part of the country qualify for employee pricing.

Back to the F-250.

Its height of the F-250 4×4 SuperCab is 81.5 inches.

That, of course, is to the roof.

The height of the MX-5 to its roof is 48.8 inches.

The point is, I wondered whether the person who was sitting behind the wheel of the truck could actually see me (yes, the Miata had to be visible because the truck stopped behind it, but the question was whether it was visible after that, for a reason I will get to in a moment).

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A friend is an excellent driver.

It is something he works at.

During a press drive program for a vehicle there was a gymkhana course set up.

All of the participants took runs on the track. Two or three times.

My friend stayed at it, lap after lap, until he was told it was time to move on.

Once while driving with him in a vehicle with a six-speed manual transmission he stalled it while making a left turn in a downtown intersection.

There we were, momentarily stopped amidst plenty of traffic.

He quickly got it restarted and engaged first in an instant so we pulled way.

I thought about that situation when I was stopped at the light with the truck behind me and a manual shift knob grasped in my right hand.

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According to MotorTrend, these are all the vehicles currently available with a manual transmission:

  • 2025 Acura Integra and Integra Type S
  • 2025 BMW M2
  • 2025 BMW M3 and M4
  • 2025 BMW Z4
  • 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
  • 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
  • 2025 Ford Bronco
  • 2025 Ford Mustang
  • 2025 Honda Civic Si and Type R
  • 2025 Hyundai Elantra N
  • 2025 Jeep Wrangler
  • 2025 Lotus Emira
  • 2025 Mazda 3 Hatchback
  • 2025 Mazda Miata
  • 2025 Nissan Z
  • 2025 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman
  • 2025 Porsche 911
  • 2025 Subaru BRZ
  • 2025 Subaru WRX
  • 2025 Toyota GR86
  • 2025 Toyota GR Corolla
  • 2025 Toyota Tacoma
  • 2025 Toyota GR Supra
  • 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

What do they all have in common?

None of them are particularly big sellers.

The point is, many drivers probably don’t know there are manual transmissions. And that sometimes people driving them can stall at a light.

After all, they think, you just take your foot off the brake, move it to the accelerator, and go.

And if you have your phone in your hand. . . .

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One benefit of driving a car like the Miata is that you are fully engaged in driving it.

You don’t have your phone in your hand because you need your hands to do the activity of driving the vehicle.

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In 2024 Ford delivered 765,649 F Series trucks.

In 2024 Mazda delivered 8,103 MX-5s.

The point is, there are a lot of large vehicles on the road.

There aren’t so many small ones.

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The Miata is small. 154.1 inches long and a 90.9-inch wheelbase. 68.3 inches wide and 48.8 inches high.

It snugly seats two. It has 4.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, meaning you’re not going to use this vehicle to help anyone move.

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But it is lithe.

It has a 181-hp four-cylinder engine. Weight distribution, depending on trim, is either 53:47 or 51:49. Either way, exceedingly balanced. And on the subject of weight, it is light, 2,469 pounds, which means the engine doesn’t have a whole lot of mass to move.

Fuel economy is 26 city/34 highway/29 mpg combined. Not great for such a small car.

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Here’s the point:

A Miata, especially one with a six-speed manual (a six-speed automatic), is a car for a serious driver who wants the car for driving—and not driving in urban environments where there is a lot of stop-and-go driving by people who are annoyed by all of the stop-and-go and so want to get on their way.

It is a car for someone who is going to be attuned to the environment and attentive to others while driving.

Check those boxes and you’re good to go.

Otherwise, probably not.

2025 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus

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Where function meets fun. . . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

Mazda has long had a reputation for superb ride-and-handling performance at an affordable price.

I think in some regards this reputation—well earned—doesn’t necessarily translate into the array of crossovers it has on the market, despite many reviewers giving those vehicles high marks for those characteristics: It is something of a reputation-based belief (i.e., if Mazdas in the past were X, then Mazdas of today are X, too).

The thing is: This doesn’t give credit where credit is due.

And the Mazda3 deserves a whole lot of credit. (Some of the crossovers: not so much. Sorry.)

This is the car—and yes, it is a car, and in this case, a hatchback (!)*—that not only has the litheness, maneuverability, and performance that are associated with Mazda. And, yes, there is the issue of affordability, too.

That is, this Turbo Premium Plus model, with AWD, the top-of-the-line model in the lineup, has an MSRP of $37,150—or some $10,000 less than the average transaction price (ATP) for vehicles out there.

Mazda3: This is a car that has all of that Mazda goodness you’ve heard about. (Image: Mazda)

Of course, the ATP covers vehicles of all configurations and sizes, and while, according to the EPA classification, the Mazda3 is a midsize car, it is on the compact side. (That is, it is 175.6 inches long, 70.7 inches high, 56.7 inches wide, and has a 107.3-inch wheelbase.)

The EPA calculates the categories based on interior volume, with midsize vehicles having from 110 to 119.9 cubic feet of space. The Mazda3 hatch has 92.7 cubic feet of passenger volume and 20.1 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seat up, so it comes in at 112.8 cubic feet.

(The 2025 Bentley Flying Spur is also in the EPA midsize category, which just goes to show you that one man’s categorized vehicle is another man’s absurdity.)

The thing is, the Premium Plus package puts things on the outside, like a rear spoiler and front air dam. Yes, the car is quick, but those probably are more trim than hard-working aero elements.

On the inside there are things like leather seats and a solid Bose audio system. The Premium Plus package also increases the size of the infotainment screen on board to 10.25 inches.

The car has a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.

If you go to the gas station and fill the tank with regular, it produces 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque

If you opt to spend a few bucks more at the pump and go for 93 octane, then it is 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

There is a six-speed automatic. Suspension-wise, it is MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar in the front and a torsion beam in the back.

There is also a feature called “SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS:  G-Vectoring Control Plus.” It is as seamlessly tricky as its name is complicated. Essentially, it makes various adjustments—such as to the torque of the engine and the braking of specific wheels—when cornering or simply making lane changes.

This greatly contributes to the aforementioned reputation for ride and handling.

The Mazda3 has it.

Given the performance of the engine and the engineered ride and handling, the Mazda3 is the kind of vehicle that you can drive to work, plodding along with all of the others who are in the same jam you are, but then get a chance to make a quick maneuver that gets you another spot a bit further along.

It is the kind of vehicle that you can take to Costco and load up with Costco-sized products.

It is the kind of vehicle that you can drive on the weekends on a parkway and have fun while you’re going to the place in the park where you’re going to have some out-of-car fun.

It is one of the most enjoyable cars I’ve driven in some time.

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*As there is the increasing transition to crossovers from cars, here’s hoping that Mazda keeps the Mazda3 in its lineup. It has long offered hatchback and sedan body styles for the Mazda3, again something that I hope continues long into the future.