Mazda deals a pair of aces with its CX SUV models

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Mazda has this small packages thing down pretty well.

Folks liked the CX-30 subcompact crossover sport-utility vehicle, and there's more to like now with the introduction of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 compact crossover.

I found both tested models -- the 2022 CX-30 2.5 Turbo AWD with Premium Plus package and the 2023 CX-50 2.5 Turbo (pictured) with the same PP package -- to be willing performers with peppy, agile performance and just enough space to make the hauling chores easier.

Let's start with the CX-30.

With 227 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds of torque, I found myself repeatedly landing hard on the accelerator just to get that good feeling of dusting off a poke.  The CX-30 does this as well as any vehicle in the subcompact SUV segment, and it's enormously fun.  Handling is sharp, and it has a sleek, sporty look for this group.

Interior space is not going to take in the camping equipment of four stout outdoors types, but there is adequate space for a couple of large suitcases and smaller items stuffed between the open spaces.

Fuel mileage is good at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The CX-30 gets a max five-star overall safety rating from the feds.

I was impressed with the generous number of standard comfort/convenience and safety/security features in this CX-30.  Even with some extras, the bottom line came in at a reasonable $35,750.

Yes, the hardcore camper/SUV road warrior is going to continue to lust for a bigger vehicle, but moving up just slightly to the all-new 2023 Mazda CX-50 compact SUV is a tempting prospect as well.

In my CX-50 tester, I had the same 2.5-liter turbo-4 making that same muscular power combined with nimble handling.  Interior surroundings were a bit more refined in the CX-50, which explained a more pricey bottom line of $43,170 on the window sticker.

Jeff Guyton, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, says the CX-50 was "developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region ... (It) encourages people to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on the premium design and outstanding on-road performance Mazda is known for."

Yeah, OK, I'll buy that.  This CX-50 seems particularly suited to hitting the mountain and forest trails without being overly intrusive or so large that it mercilessly tramps down the environment.

Can I picture myself in a CX-30 or CX-50 along the shores of Lake Tahoe?

Yes, in a New York minute.