Road test: the Mazda CX-30 Urbane is a stylish cruiser for Dh99,000


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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now

Mazda has forged a reputation for turning out stylish, crisp-handling sedans and hatchbacks, but the crossover segment is where the action is at now, so the Japanese carmaker has diversified its line-up to the point where it now offers a quartet of these high-riding wagons.

Mazda CX-30 vs CX-3

The latest addition to Mazda’s portfolio is the CX-30, which slots into the micro-niche between the existing CX-3 and CX-5. At first glance, you may not pick up on the differences between the newcomer and the CX-3, as the pair share an obvious family resemblance, and their dimensions don't differ massively. That said, the CX-30 is 120 millimetres longer than its sibling, as well as being 30mm wider, 5mm taller and 85mm longer in wheelbase.

These dimensional stretches are intended to provide the CX-30 with more rear-seat room and luggage space than the CX-3, as its target market is customers with young families. The rear seats are still somewhat claustrophobic for adults, but they're quite adequate for the junior brigade. You can stash up to 430 litres in the luggage bay with all the seats in place, which is reasonably generous for a car of this size.

CX-30 Urbane features

Just one spec level is offered locally – the CX-30 Urbane – and it’s priced at Dh99,000, which reflects its premium positioning. This spend gets you standard features such as a sunroof, 18-inch alloys, two-tone leatherette seats, an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, dual-zone air-conditioning with rear AC vents, an electrically operated tailgate, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Standard safety kit includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which warns you of oncoming traffic when you’re reversing out of a nose-to-kerb parking spot. The 8.8-inch centre screen is set up for navigation, but you need to purchase an SD navigation card as an extra to activate it.

A comfortable cruiser

Propulsion for the CX-30 comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor with outputs of 153 horsepower and 200Nm, which are healthy enough, but you need to work the engine hard for overtaking manoeuvres and sprightly getaways from traffic lights. A six-speed auto is standard issue, and it does the job well enough, even though the transmission doesn’t always kick down to a lower gear when you want it to.

Where the CX-30 scores strongly is in its styling and presentation – both inside and out

The Mazda is a relatively comfortable and refined cruiser, as noise levels are well controlled and ride quality is decent. However, if you try to hustle it through corners, you'll encounter body roll and understeer, although this isn't a complete surprise as the CX-30 wasn't conceived to be a hot-hatch.

Stylish design

Where the CX-30 scores strongly is in its styling and presentation – both inside and out. Mazda has been consistently nailing it in the design department, and its new compact crossover continues that trend. Especially resplendent is the model with the aptly named Soul Red paintwork.

Mazda refers to its design language as “Kodo”, which translates to “Soul of Motion”. Perhaps something is lost in translation, but what it means in real terms is that the brand’s products have a visual dynamism and crispness that’s lacking from most cars in the affordable segment.

Shoppers who are prepared to spend a little extra for the CX-30 may find it hits the sweet spot for them

The design flair carries through to the interior, as the cabin layout is both attractive and functional. The leatherette seats look good, and they’re comfortable and supportive.

As touched on earlier, the rear quarters are best left to the juniors, as anyone over 1.75 metres tall will feel cramped in there. Rearward visibility isn’t great from the driver’s seat, so it’s just as well the car is equipped with a reversing camera and parking sensors.

All in all, the CX-30 is a well-rounded crossover, but its almost Dh100,000 price tag may prompt many buyers to look towards cheaper and more spacious rivals, or perhaps even its less expensive CX-3 stablemate.

However, shoppers who are prepared to spend a little extra for the CX-30’s generous feature quota and premium feel may find it hits the sweet spot for them. They won’t be disappointed, either, as the CX-30 has its strengths and not too many shortcomings.

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')

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Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

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While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

Torque: 300Nm

Price: Dh169,900

On sale: now 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now