With its evocative design and “right-sized” form, the Mazda CX-30 doesn’t strike the same chord as other compact crossovers. Others went for function over form—touting things like ruggedness or at the very least, rugged styling cues. On the other hand, the CX-30 has gone the other way, coming across as a crossover that values form as much as function.

The vehicle’s program manager, Naohito Saga finally explains the rationale behind this way of thinking. Saga-san attributes the CX-30’s design to one thing: rekindling lost emotions in adult life. He explains:



“As an adult, he can be very busy at work; he can also be very busy at home, too. While he may find happiness in these things, he may have forgotten his own personal happiness due to the busyness of each day. The CX-30 is designed to be a personal space. It can be used for the daily commute—bringing the kids to school and all that, but it’s also about re-discovering the little things in life. Mazda has always been focused on people, but the CX-30 is making it even deeper.”

Throughout its design phase, Saga-san says it was important to keep the exterior dimensions of the CX-30 as compact as possible so that it can be brought anywhere freely. It can be brought through narrow roads without anxiety, or be parked without hesitation even in a tight space.



But while the car itself is compact, its role as a family-friendly crossover can’t be denied. It’s designed to accommodate four adults. More than that, extra consideration has been done to make sure every single passenger gets to sit in a proper posture. Among the ingenious design details include tilting the rear floor slightly.

“We have created a space where everyone can feel relaxed and comfortable,” Saga-san explains.

Towards the back, the luggage prioritizes every day usability and utility rather than pursuing class-leading volume (again, it’s all about keeping the dimensions compact). Mazda did research on the necessary luggage that a young family would use in everyday life, and made sure it’s all easily accommodated. They even went so far as to make sure that heavy luggage could be loaded easily, and designing a trunk release button that could be pressed without outstretching the arms—even for kids.



In addition to its packaging, Saga-san says it’s the CX-30’s mission to give its driver a sense of Jinba-Ittai, and not in a sportscar sense.

“Actually, I would like people who are not familiar with driving to feel confident. I want that anxiety to disappear, turning daily events into something more personal. I want the driver to notice the surrounding scenery, or hear the voices of his children. I want him to feel comfortable, want him to drive more; to go somewhere. That is the value that the CX-30 creates,” he says.