This was the CX 30, with 2 litre engine (skyactive G and mild hybrid, about 122bhp). Felt quite sporty, almost like driving BMW 3 and 1 serie (or even VW tiguan). But it comes with a penalty of bouncy ride on uneven surface and more road noise and some floor vibration filtering in to the cabin (compared to my 2017 CX5). The steering is exact as in all Mazda cars, suspension on the stiff side, engine response very good, easy to cross speed limits on the road and very stable on the road. Felt very European both in ride handling and interior design. The interior design and lay out is top notch, putting many more expensive cars to shame. The seats are better than on CX5, hugging on sides. The infotainment module/screen is large and reversing camera has superb resolution. There was a front and birds eye view camera too. Good package but sound isolation, not as good as CX5.
After that we went to drive the latest Toyota Camry and that felt very American, very laid back and very so old in the interior design. It felt like an old, dependable, boring horse that refuses to die or change.
Then we went to drive the Hyundai Ionic, an all electric car and that was a surprise in the good sense. It was quiet, not just the engine noise as was expected but even road noise, very nice handling on the road and good acceleration (but not Tesla level), felt almost like driving a petrol car that is well built. Good regenerative brakes, very good and modern interior lay out, airy open and lots of daylight filtering in to the cabin and with a small horizontal window on the lower part of tail gate showing you more of the road behind you (clever!). The future seems to be good for these electric cars, only if they can sort out the range problem.
After that we went to drive the latest Toyota Camry and that felt very American, very laid back and very so old in the interior design. It felt like an old, dependable, boring horse that refuses to die or change.
Then we went to drive the Hyundai Ionic, an all electric car and that was a surprise in the good sense. It was quiet, not just the engine noise as was expected but even road noise, very nice handling on the road and good acceleration (but not Tesla level), felt almost like driving a petrol car that is well built. Good regenerative brakes, very good and modern interior lay out, airy open and lots of daylight filtering in to the cabin and with a small horizontal window on the lower part of tail gate showing you more of the road behind you (clever!). The future seems to be good for these electric cars, only if they can sort out the range problem.
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